St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 12th April 2026 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 12th April 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church 12.30 pm Baptisms of Isla Sperrin – Dorothy W 4.00 pm Family & Co in Broadway Rooms Tuesday 14th April 10.45 am Singing for pleasure in the Jubilee Room 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Thursday 16th April 10.30 am Community Coffee Morning – Jubilee Room 10.45 am Funeral of Nancy Rimmer in Church Friday 17th April 9.00 am Little Gang in Broadway RoomsSaturday 18th April3.00 pm Marriage of Peter and Sandy in ChurchSunday 19th April8.30 am Holy Communion in Church9.30 am Worship on Zoom10.45 am Holy Communion in Church4.00 pm Family & Co in Broadway RoomsMorning Prayer – 8.00 amMonday – St Peter’sTuesday – St Peter’sWednesday – St David’sThursday – St Nicholas’Friday – St Nicholas’ Easter Celebrations: What a celebration we had after the Easter services on Sunday! Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to make it such a joyful occasion. Special thanks to David and Joanne for organising the gathering. This year, Bishop Philip’s Easter message reflected on a question asked by a group of anxious older parishioners: “What stops you from despairing?” Their worries—global conflicts, political instability and the cost-of-living crisis—mirrored a wider sense of unease in today’s world. In response, Bishop Philip shared the example of a friend, Joseph, a bishop serving in war-torn South Sudan. Despite immense hardship—displacement, destroyed infrastructure and extreme poverty—Joseph remains filled with hope, grounded not in circumstances but in his faith in the Resurrection. In summary, +Philip’s message centred on the Christian belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead after enduring suffering, abandonment and death and it is this event which is the foundation for hope. Because Jesus has faced the depths of human despair and overcome them, despair no longer has the final word. Those who believe in the Resurrection share in Christ’s victory: his death becomes their death and his new life becomes theirs. Life still includes pain, uncertainty and grief, but hope persists in all situations. The Resurrection signifies that love has triumphed and that ultimately all will be redeemed. May this message inspire us all to hold fast to hope, even in the darkest of times. (Full text can be found www.blackburn.anglican.org) Margaret Southworth RIP: For those of you who know and remember Margaret, her funeral is taking place this Tuesday (14th ) at 10.30 am at Carleton. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM): The APCM will take place in Church on Wednesday 20th May at 7 pm. Please save the date. There are three vacancies coming up on the church council. If you feel called to serve on the leadership team of the church, please speak to the Vicar or Churchwardens who will be happy to give you further information. Prayers: Please pray for Jeff Chambers, Ann Deegan, Harvey Stansfield, Muriel, Paul Sumner, Mandy Holden, Dorothy Angel & Maureen Hardman. We also remember the lives and families of Nancy Rimmer, Ann Buchanan, Patricia Parkinson and Philip Wayman whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 5th April 2026 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 5th April – Easter Day 6.30 am Sunrise on the Mount 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church 12.00 pm Jacob’s Join in Broadway Rooms 12.30 pm Baptisms of Daisey Burgess – Berny Monday 6th April 1.30 pm Community Crafts, Knitting and Games – Jubilee R Tuesday 7th April 10.45 am Singing for pleasure in the Jubilee Room 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Thursday 9th April 10.30 am Community Coffee Morning – Jubilee RoomSaturday 11th April3.30 pm Marriage Blessing for Jordan & CharlotteSunday 12th April8.30 am Holy Communion in Church9.30 am Worship on Zoom10.45 am Holy Communion in Church12.30 pm Baptisms of Isla Sperrin – Dorothy WMorning PrayerPublic Morning Prayer will resume on Monday 13th April Private prayer is available immediately after the 10.45 service for anyone who wishes to be prayed for in the east transept From the Vicar: We have made it! Through Lent and Passiontide to the glorious celebrations of Easter Day and we have much to give thanks for here at St Nic’s. I am personally grateful to everyone who has given so generously of their time and gifts to ensure that our packed program of services and events have been delivered and to an extraordinarily high standard. We have welcomed new people and families during this period and this is exactly what we’re here for. Dear friends, hold on to the hope that no matter what lies ahead, Christ has conquered the grave. And by conquering the grave He has given us new life for now and eternity to come. Let your hearts be glad, shout with joy and celebrate this great day. Easter is here and so is new life and hope. With love and Easter blessings to you and yours as we journey on together. March 100 Club Winners: Joanne Ashworth, Alan Newton, Kath Donnelly. Dorothy Jones, Rihana Elkalini, Jillian Muir, Lawrence Dunn, Ruth Aspinall, Emma Harris, Daniel Ashworth, Olga Dunn, Gerald Mathias, Muriel Freestone, Joy Broughton. Laura Martin, Moira Greenwood, Carolyn Terpet, Raymond Hollebone and Bernice Meekins. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM): The APCM will take place in Church on Wednesday 20th May at 7 pm. Please save the date, especially if you are now registered on the electoral roll of St Nic’s. There are three vacancies coming up on the church council. If you feel called to serve on the leadership team of the church, please speak to the Vicar or Churchwardens who will be happy to give you further information. Prayers: Please pray for Jeff Chambers, Ann Deegan, Harvey Stansfield, Muriel, Paul Sumner, & Maureen Hardman. We also remember the lives and families of Nancy Rimmer, Margaret Southworth, Ann Buchanan and Philip Wayman whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 29nd March 2026 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 29th March – Palm Sunday 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church 12.30 pm Baptisms of Sienna Carney – Susan 4.00 pm Family & Co 6.30 pm Community Prayers – Trinity Baptist Tuesday 31st March 10.45 am Singing for pleasure in the Jubilee Room 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Wednesday 1st April 2.00 pm Bereavement Group at Strawberry Gardens 4.30 pm Stations of the Cross in Church Thursday 2nd April 10.30 am Community Coffee Morning – Jubilee Room 12.15 pm Funeral of Russ Oakes at Lytham 7.00 pm Holy Communion and the Stripping of the AltarFriday 3rd April10.00 am Communion from reserved sacrament in Church and the reading of the passion gospel.2.00 pm Last Hour at the Cross in Church5.00 pm Fish and Chips at the Baptist Church7.00 pm Sunset at the Colonnade Marine GardensSunday 5th April – Easter Day6.30 am Sunrise on the Mount8.30 am Holy Communion in Church9.30 am Worship on Zoom10.45 am Holy Communion in Church12.00 pm Jacob’s Join in Broadway Rooms12.30 pm Baptisms of Daisey Burgess – BernyMorning PrayerPublic Morning Prayer will resume on Monday 13th April Easter Lilies - On Easter Day it is our tradition to fill the church with Easter lilies. To help with the cost of these, you are invited to make a donation in memory of a loved one whose name will be added to a ‘remembrance roll’ and displayed in church. Please place you donation and loved one’s name in an envelope and deposit it in the box at the back of church, by Thursday of this week. Lent Study 5 “Knowing Jesus” In our final session, we reflected on the Triumphant Jesus through the story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16. Despite being beaten, imprisoned and facing death, they respond not with fear but with prayer and joyful worship—because they trusted in God. Their joy contrasted with the jailer’s anxiety, leading to his key question: “What must I do to be saved?” The answer was and is simple and central to the Gospel: we are not saved by our own efforts, but by trusting in Jesus Christ. He is both Judge and Saviour—offering grace, forgiveness and freedom through his sacrifice. This assurance gives us and all Christians a deep, lasting joy—not dependent on circumstances, but rooted in the certainty of God’s love and promise of eternal life. As the course concluded, we were encouraged to place Jesus at the centre of our lives, trust fully in him and live in response to his love—sharing that same joy with others. Easter Day: Final reminder that on Easter Day we will have the Jacob’s Join Lunch and our Easter Bonnet parade. All are welcome. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM): The APCM will take place in Church on Wednesday 20th May at 7 pm. Please save the date, especially if you are now registered on the electoral roll of St Nic’s. There are three vacancies coming up on the church council. If you feel called to serve on the leadership team of the church, please speak to the Vicar or Churchwardens who will be happy to give you further information. Sunset and Sunrise: We join with Churches Together in Fleetwood for both of these short outdoor services. Prior to sunset on Good Friday, we will come together to have fish and chips at the Baptist Church and after sunrise, breakfast back at Emmanuel Church. Come if you can, it’s only once a year! Prayers: Please pray for Jeff Chambers, Harvey Stansfield, Muriel, Paul Sumner, & Maureen Hardman. We also remember the lives and families of Russell Oakes, Nancy Rimmer, Margaret Southworth and Philip Wayman whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 22nd March 2026 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 22nd March 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church 12.30 pm Baptisms of Leanne, Charlie & George - Berny 4.00 pm Family & Co Tuesday 24th March 10.45 am Singing for pleasure in the Jubilee Room 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Wednesday 25th March 4.30 pm Lent Study 5 at St David’s Larkholme Lane 6.30 pm Churches Together meets Thursday 26th March 10.00 am Shakespeare School’s Easter Service in Church 7.00 pm Deanery Synod at Christ Church ThorntonFriday 27th March9.00 am Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms11.45 am Lent Lunch at Fleetwood URCSunday 29th March – Palm Sunday8.30 am Holy Communion in Church9.30 am Zoom10.45 am Holy Communion in Church12.30 pm Baptisms of Sienna Carney – Susan4.00 pm Family & Co6.30 pm Community Prayers – Trinity BaptistMorning Prayer 8 amTuesday – St PeterWednesday – St DavidThursday – St NicholasFriday – St Nicholas Calling All Knitters and Needle Crafters: Do you enjoy knitting or other needle crafts? If so, Moira and her craft group would love your help. The group meets on the first Monday of every month and has set themselves a wonderful challenge: to knit 100 small prayer squares to share with others. Every contribution, no matter how small, will help them reach their goal. If you would like to take part and would like a pattern, please speak to Moira, who will be happy to help you get started. Purple Veils: From today in church, you will notice that the statues and crosses are covered with purple cloths. This tradition helps to draw our attention more deeply to prayer and reflection by removing some of the visual distractions within the church. The covering of the statues is also a visible sign of the solemn nature of this time in the Church’s year. At the same time, it creates a sense of anticipation as we journey towards the joyful celebration of Easter. By temporarily veiling these sacred images, we are reminded that this is a time of waiting and preparation as we reflect on the Passion and look forward with hope to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lent Study 4 “Knowing Jesus” In the fourth session of our Lent Course Knowing Jesus, we reflected on Jesus as the Servant King. In a world that often values power, status and strong leadership, Jesus shows a very different model of leadership – one rooted in humility and service. Through examples such as Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and the teaching in Philippians 2, we see that although Jesus is truly God, he chose not power but self-giving love. He came “not to be served, but to serve”, ultimately giving his life on the cross so that the Kingdom of God might be opened to all. This pattern of service is also seen in the early Church in Acts 6, when seven deacons were appointed to care for those in need and ensure fairness within the community. Their work showed God’s Kingdom in action while allowing the apostles to continue sharing the Good News. For Christians today, knowing the Servant Jesus means two things: first allowing Jesus to serve us – especially through worship, forgiveness and the sacraments – and then responding by serving others. In serving those around us, particularly the most vulnerable, we both reflect God’s Kingdom and share the hope of the Gospel with the world. Easter Day: A gentle reminder that on Easter Day we will have the Jacob’s Join and our Easter Bonnet parade. If you are able to donate Easter eggs or chocolate for prizes, they will be gratefully received in the Vicar's vestry. Prayers: Please pray for Anthony, Jeff Chambers, Harvey Stansfield, Muriel, Paul Sumner, Maureen Hardman, & Lewis. We also remember the life and family of Russell Oakes whose funeral is due to take place.
