St Nicholas Parish Church, Fleetwood Week beginning 11th July 2021 Please continue to take great care in church. Wear a face covering, keep 2 metres apart. Sunday 11th July 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons – Susan & Christine. Reader - Sandra 12.30 pm Baptism of Emberley Marie Taylor 1.30 pm Baptism of Jacob Stewart Regan Tuesday 13th July 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Sunday 18th July 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons – Karen & June. Reader - Elizabeth 11.45 am Tea and Coffee in Church and discussion regarding the way forward. Update on restrictions- The Prime Minister’s announcement that most remaining restrictions are to be withdrawn from July 19th has caused a great deal of excitement but has also raised a lot of questions. We are awaiting detailed guidance from the Church of England which will be available by the end of next week. What we do know is that from July 19th, congregational singing will be permitted and there will be no limit on the size of choirs. Regulations on social distancing and face coverings will be withdrawn. The common cup will be permitted and it is possible that we will no longer be required to keep a record of those attending church. However there will be real wisdom in phasing these measures in, partly for public health reason and partly so that we each feel confident in attending worship. Following next week’s 10.45 am service (18th) you are invited to stay behind for a brew and a short consultation on how we may lift the restrictions we presently have in place at St Nicholas. If you are not able to attend the consultation but would like your views to be heard, please phone/email the Vicar this coming week. It would be helpful if PCC members could attend this consultation. Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Monday 19th July - The Vicar will be serving tea, coffee and scones in the Vicarage garden from 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm and you’re welcome to pop along! It’s just an opportunity to be together and enjoy some company as we begin to make steps towards living in a different way with the virus. If the weather lets us down we’ll transfer to the Broadway Rooms. Hope you can come! 100 Club This week’s winners are: Pat Warrington (No 98 - £15), Margery Bond (No 83 - £10) and Alison Horobin (No 87 - £5) Please continue to pray …… for Elsie, Nigel, Jane, Margaret, Elliott, Tom and Elizabeth. And also for Emberley and Jacob and their families, as they are baptized today.
St Nicholas Parish Church, Fleetwood Week beginning 4th July 2021 Please continue to take great care in church. Wear a face covering, keep 2 metres apart. Sunday 4th July 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in ChurchIs there anyone who lives near you who is not in church this morning? Please can you pop round with a news sheet? Don’t assume someone else is doing it. If they’ve got one – then at least you’ve said “Hello,” and “We miss you!” Sidespersons – Elizabeth & Ruth: Reader – Joy Tuesday 6th July 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Sunday 11th July 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons – Susan & Christine: Reader - Sandra 12.30 pm Baptism of Emberley Marie Taylor 1.30 pm Baptism of Jacob Stewart Regan From the Vicar: Sunday, 4th of July, marks exactly 2 years since I was inducted as Interim Vicar of St Nicholas Church. Alongside you, I have spent 16 of the last 24 months in lockdown or under some form of government restrictions, which have curtailed much of what we enjoyed to do together and planned to do in the future. That said, each new day is a day closer to being able to get on with the job in hand. I am so very grateful for those who have worked alongside me in these difficult months, helping to keep people connected and safe. I am grateful for the support of the PCC in dealing with the business behind the scenes, much of which often goes unnoticed but takes time and effort nevertheless. I am grateful to those of you who have generously supported financially the ministry of the church even when it was closed. And I am grateful to each of you who have cared for me and prayed for me as your Vicar. The next 12 months are going to be critical in the life of St Nicholas and whatever else we do, we must now work together in praying for, and putting together, a vision for the future. “What is our reason to be here? How do we want our church to be described in 5 years’ time?” These are key questions for us all to consider as we want to make a case to the Diocese that God has plans for St Nicholas, plans to prosper, plans to give us hope and a future. So, as we live out our mission statement, “To be a church that lives by faith, is known by love, and is a voice of hope to the community we serve,” may we each commit to praying that God will reveal that new vision to us and may He bless us richly in the coming twelve months. “Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker” (Psalm 95:1-6). 100 Club This week’s winners are: Shirley Kershaw (No27 - £15), Dorothy Angel (No 51 - £10) and Robert Meekins (No 21 - £5) Please continue to pray …… for Elsie, Nigel, Jane, Margaret, Elliott, Tom and Elizabeth.
St Nicholas Parish Church, Fleetwood Week beginning 27th June 2021 Please continue to take great care in church. Wear a face covering, keep 2 metres apart. Sunday 27th June 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons – Dorothy Warren & Jillian: Reader - Margaret 12.30 pm Baptism of Jesse WillacyIs there anyone who lives near you who is not in church this morning? Please can you pop round with a news sheet? Don’t assume someone else is doing it. If they’ve got one – then at least you’ve said “Hello,” and “We miss you!”Tuesday 29th11.00 am Funeral of June Wray RIP at Carleton</span> 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Friday 2nd July 11.45 am Funeral of Shaun Leahy RIP at Carleton Saturday 3rd July 10.00 am Church Cleaning Sunday 4th July 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons – Elizabeth & Margaret: Reader - Joy Giving to support the ministry of St Nicholas – At the meeting of the PCC on Wednesday night we were able to review the financial position of St Nicholas at the halfway mark. Our financial year runs from 1st January to 31st December. The restriction we have been working under since March last year, the social distancing, reduced numbers at funerals, baptisms being delayed or even cancelled, our inability to have coffee mornings or fundraising activities have all impacted our income. That said we did acknowledge that we have been extremely blessed by the generous giving of so many of our regular members and Zoom congregation. It is with heartfelt thanks that so far we have been able to meet all our commitments and have even been in a position to make two out of the three donations we promised to a local and international charity. You will have noticed that we no longer pass the plate round at services and we do not intend to reintroduce this practice in the future. The plate will remain at the back of church for anyone who wishes to make donations in this way, as will the card reader machine. Many of us now make our gift to the church via a standing order and if you would be happy to give in this way please ask Ruth or the Vicar for the details. It helps enormously with budgeting if we know what we can expect on a monthly basis. If you are reading this on line and would like to make a donation you can click here. Thank you so very much for all that you do to support the ongoing ministry of St Nicholas. Lord, my Rock and Redeemer, thank you that you are infinitely, consistently, and perfectly wise. You have said that whatever we give is acceptable if we give it eagerly. You have said that we should give according to what we have. Help us to bring our offerings with an eager heart, not as a comparison with others but as an act of worship to you. May we find the comfort we desire in you and the strength we need in your name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. 100 Club This week’s winners are: Amelia Quirk (No 49 - £15), Marjie Meekins (No 35- £10) and Alma Wright (No 53 - £5) Please continue to pray …… for Elsie, Nigel, Jane, Margaret, Elliott, Tom and Elizabeth. And remember too June Wray and Shaun Leahy whose funeral will take place this coming week.
St Nicholas Parish Church, Fleetwood Week beginning 20th June 2021 Please continue to take great care in church. Wear a face covering, keep 2 metres apart. Sunday 20th June 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons – Carole & Sandra: Reader - Karen <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td> <div> Is there anyone who lives near you who is not in church this morning? Please can you pop round with a news sheet? Don’t assume someone else is doing it. If they’ve got one – then at least you’ve said “Hello,” and “We miss you!” </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> Tuesday 22nd<sup> </sup>June 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Wednesday 23rd June 7.00 pm PCC meet via Zoom Sunday 27th June 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship via Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons – Dorothy Warren & Jillian: Reader - Margaret Coronavirus The news that the roadmap out of lockdown has been delayed and that existing restrictions will remain in place until at least July 19th was predictable but still dispiriting. Not being able to sing in church is a source of ongoing frustration, especially as we watch football fans singing their hearts out in stadia and pubs! But there is still no change to the guidance, congregational singing is not permitted nor is meeting for refreshments (indoors), after services. That said, we have done extraordinary well in keeping the church open for public worship since 4th July last year and in keeping everyone safe. Many other churches have had long periods of total closure, not to mention outbreaks of the virus amongst their congregations. So whilst we may be feeling exasperated, let’s pray for continued patience and tolerance as we journey on. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. O Lord, You are the light that guides my feet. You are the map that gives me direction. You are the peace that makes me strong. You are the leader whom I faithfully follow. May your light illuminate my life and your guidance bring direction. May I find inspiration in your word and peace in my heart as I follow you. Amen. 100 Club This week’s winners are: Maureen Siddall (No 72 - £15), Fr Alan (No 91 - £10) and Harold Dadson (No 54 - £5) Please continue to pray …… for Elsie, Nigel, Jane, Margaret, Elliott,Tom and Elizabeth. And remember too June Wray and Shaun Leahy who have recently died and who will be laid to rest in the next week or so.