St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 17th December 2023 We seek to be a church that lives by faith, is known by love and is a voice of hope to the community we serve. Website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11671 Sunday 17th December 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church with baptism of Corey Connelly Sidespersons: Judith & Dorothy W 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms 7.00 pm Nine Lessons and Carols with Thornton Cleveleys Brass Band in Church Tuesday 19th December2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Wednesday 20th December 10.00 am Funeral of Johnny Sumner in Church Thursday 21st December 9.30 am Shakespeare School Carol Service in Church 10.00 am Christmas Coffee Morning in Jubilee Room Friday 22nd December 9.00 am Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms Sunday 24th December Christmas Eve 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church 5.00 pm Crib Service in Church 11.30 pm First Communion of Christmas Monday 25th December Christmas Day 10.45 am Family Communion in Church Tuesday 26th December 2 pm Service cancelled. Returning on 2nd Jan 2024 ******************************* It might be hard to believe now that Christmas is so big, but for centuries the Church paid little attention to the stories of Jesus’ birth. There was more focus on his death and his rising from the dead, or on how he was one person of the Holy Trinity. It was Saint Francis who turned our attention to the Christmas story again - particularity to St Luke’s account. He wanted to show ordinary people that God had come to be with us. One Christmas he just set up a scene in a cave with animals, people and a manger and led the congregation out from church after the service to see it. He did not need words to say, “This is how God comes to you.” Our hope is that through the readings and carols this coming week, through our being together breaking bread and drinking wine, we and those who we care for and those who join us, will know afresh that this is how God comes to us. When the days are short and the nights long, when our spirits are low and it’s cold, there is a deep need to find hope for a new year and for life itself. May Emmanuel, God with us, be that hope. Thank you from the Vicar: Once again I have been blown away by the generosity and willingness of so many folk who have worked their socks of preparing for and delivering a host of events in these last weeks. It’s been a joy to see so many gifts being used in the ministry of hospitality and welcome. Alongside the joy of the season, we have also held several important funerals for families who we know and love. Our thoughts and prayers remain with them as they face Christmas without their loved ones.Please remember in your prayers: Christine and John McLellan, Louise Clark, Rev Martin Keighley, Mark Price, Rebekah, Jan Risely, Craig Abson, Dorothy Cox, Jeanette Norman and Maurice Roberts. Please also remember the families of David Newton, Beryl Lister, Anne Hood and John Sumner whose funerals are due to take place.Regular weekly or monthly giving to St Nic’s really helps us budget and plan for the future.If you would like to formalise your giving in 2024 either by setting up a standing order (which is preferable) or by a weekly envelope, please see Ruth who will be happy to assist you
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 10th December 2023 We seek to be a church that lives by faith, is known by love and is a voice of hope to the community we serve. Website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11671 Sunday 10th December 8.30 am Communion by Extension in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons: Carole & Sandra. Reader Margaret 12.30 pm Baptism of Mabel Atkinson Welcome and set up Berny McCarthy 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Tuesday 12th December 10.00 am Little Treasures Nursery – Nativity in Church 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Wednesday 13th December 6.30 pm Churches Together in Fleetwood – Hosted in Jubilee Room Thursday 14th December 10.00 am Community Coffee in the Jubilee Room 12.00 pm Funeral of Corporal Richard McLellan in Church 7.00 pm Capricorn Singers – Concert in Church Friday 15th December 9.00 am Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms 3.30 pm Funeral of Roy Chance at Lytham 7.30 pm Fleetwood Choral Society – Concert in Church Sunday 17th December 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church with baptism of Corey Connelly Sidespersons: Judith & Dorothy W 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms 7.00 pm Nine Lessons and Carols with Thornton Cleveleys Brass Band in Church ******************************* Saddleworth Brass Band: What a wonderful time we had yesterday singing carols, having lunch together and listening to the impressive sounds from this amazing band. Grateful thanks to Ruth and all who were involved in making it a day to remember. This coming week: There’s lots happening and hopefully you’ll be able to attend one or both of the community concerts which are taking place in Church. Tickets will be available on the door. We don’t charge the community to use the church and the money raised will go towards their own charity work. Sunday night sees the return of the Thornton Cleveleys Brass band who will lead our service of Nine Lessons and Carols. This is always a moving service of music and readings as we begin our countdown to Christmas. If you need a lift to any of these events, please leave a message at the Vicarage and we’ll be sure to pick you up. Dear Lord, please allow me to embrace the remainder of Advent in the way the Church intends: as a way to prepare for Your arrival. May everything I do, every gift I send, every event I attend, every meal I share, remind me to prepare space in my heart for You. Amen. Christmas Wishes: Last chance to add you name and best wishes via the notice sheet on 17th December rather than sending Christmas cards. Jot it down and hand your message to the Vicar. Please remember in your prayers: Christine and John McLellan, Louise Clark, Rev Martin Keighley, Mark Price, Rebekah, Jan Risely, Craig Abson, Dorothy Cox, Jeanette Norman and Maurice Roberts. Please also remember the families of David Newton, Corporal Richard McLellan, Roy Chance and John Sumner whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 3rd December 2023 We seek to be a church that lives by faith, is known by love and is a voice of hope to the community we serve. Website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11671 Sunday 3rd December- Advent Sunday 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons: Susan & Christine. Reader: Joy 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms 6.30 pm Advent Service at Emmanuel Church at The MountMonday 4th December 9.00 am Advent Assembly Shakespeare School Tuesday 5th December 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Wednesday 6th December 12.00 pm Funeral of Elizabeth King in Church 7.00 pm Patronal Festival and Holy Communion in Church Thursday 7th December 10.00 am Community Coffee in the Jubilee Room 1.45 pm Christingle at Shakespeare School Friday 8th December 9.00 am Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms 11.15 am Funeral of Peter Dell in Church Saturday 9th December 11.00 am Saddleworth Brass Band – Christmas Carols and Lunch Sunday 10th December 8.30 am Communion by Extension in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons: Carole & Sandra. Reader Margaret 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms The Feast of St NicholasWednesday 6th December7.00 pmCome and help us to celebrate our special Saint’s Day. Refreshments will be provided in church after the service.Lifts can be arranged. Please phone the Vicarage 874402 Today we are thrilled to welcome back Rev’d Kathryn Sperring, Assistant Curate from St John’s Little Thornton. Kathryn will preach at all three of our morning services and will Deacon at the 10.45 service. Advent Devotionals: These booklets are highly recommended and available at the back of Church. They provide a daily reflection for each day of Advent. Join with us and the Diocese as we journey through Advent together. There are large print copies and extra copies if you wish to pass one on to a friend or neighbour. God of Salvation, wake us up Lord! The night is nearly over. Lead us through our Advent journey. Wake us up Lord! Let us live as people of the light. Amen. Saddleworth Brass Band: Last chance today to sign up for lunch next Saturday. It’s sure to be another splendid event hosted here at St Nic’s. Christmas Wishes: Still time to add you name and best wishes via the notice sheet on 17th December, rather than sending Christmas cards. Jot it down and had your message to the Vicar. 100 Club Winners in November: Judith Crosby, Margaret Forshaw, Penny Meekins, Nancy Burr, Carole Pilling, Beryl Clarkson, Samantha Palinczuk, Margie Meekins, Jillian Muir, Laura Martin, Margaret Pook, Alf Fowler, Chris Jones, Dorothy Angel and Sue Dell. Congratulations everyone and thank you for supporting the church is this way. Please remember in your prayers: Christine and John McLellan, Louise Clark, David Newton, Rev Martin Keighley, Mark Price, Rebekah, Lee Schofield, Craig Abson, Dorothy Cox, Jeanette Norman and Maurice Roberts. Please also remember the families of Elizabeth King, Peter Dell, Corporal Richard McLellan, Roy Chance and John Sumner whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 26th November 2023 We seek to be a church that lives by faith, is known by love and is a voice of hope to the community we serve. Website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11671 Sunday 26th November Christ the King 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons: Elizabeth & Margaret. Reader: Karen 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Tuesday 28th November 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Thursday 30th November 10.00 am Community Coffee in the Jubilee Room Sunday 3rd December- Advent Sunday 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons: Reader: Susan & Christine. Reader: Joy 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms 6.30 pm Advent Service at Emmanuel Church at The Mount ******************************* Christmas Fair: Thank you to everyone who helped in anyway yesterday and in the weeks leading up to it, to make the Fair such an amazing success. Thanks to your generosity of time and gifts we raised an amazing £3497.72 But not only that, it was lovely to welcome so many of our surrounding community to join us, not least Health and Harmony and all the stall holders who came along to sell their wares. Well done everyone and thank you again. Saddleworth Brass Band: On Saturday 9th December we’re delighted to be hosting ‘Carols in the Courtyard’ again. The event will start at 11 am with Christmas Carols outside church. We will then move into the Broadway rooms for mulled wine and lunch, followed by a concert by the Band. Please do invite your neighbours and friends to join you at this quality event. Sign up at the back of church for catering purposes. There is no charge for lunch but donations will be accepted. Christmas Wishes: Rather than writing Christmas cards to everyone in church you may wish to consider sending Christmas wishes via the notice sheet on 17th December. Please liaise with the Vicar if you wish your message to be included in this way. Broadway Hall Closure: Starting this Friday, 1st December the parquet flooring in the big hall is going to be sanded and repolished. It will take until close of business on Tuesday to be completed and therefore all hall users are being relocated to the Jubilee Room or have been cancelled until Wednesday 6th December. There will be no access to the hall during this period. Christ the King: The purpose of this festival today helps to deepen the awareness of the final end of all things in the triumph of Christ. It brings the cycle of the liturgical year to an end, but looks forward to its turning again on Advent Sunday. The spirituality of this festival must never be forgotten or understated. No one recognised this more than Henri Nouwen in his Sabbatical Journey: "on the last Sunday of the liturgical year, Christ is presented to us as the mocked King on the Cross as well of the King of the universe. The greatest humiliation and the greatest victory are both shown to us in today's liturgy. It is important to look at this humiliated and victorious Christ before we start the new liturgical year with the celebration of Advent. All through the year we have to stay close to the humiliation as well as to the victory of Christ, because we are called to live both in our own daily lives." Please remember in your prayers: Louise Clark, David Newton, Rev Martin Keighley, Mark Price, Rebekah, Lee Schofield, Craig Abson, Dorothy Cox and Maurice Roberts. Please also remember the families of Elizabeth King and Peter Dell whose funerals are due to take place on the 6th December and 8th of December respectively.
