CONSIDER

The parish newsletter of Christ Church, Aughton 

No. 425     July and August 2008

Vicar’s Viewpoint

“Find love or your money back.” 

This was the advert facing me for a few stops on the London underground.

Clearly this dating agency seemed not only confident in their product but in the honesty of their customers!

Very much a word for our time, to a culture in which money holds so much sway.  The only way, it seems, that Everton can go any higher is to spend some serious money.  You buy success – and so with love such a precious commodity, it is only natural to go online with your credit card.

The question is how much does love cost?  Real love, the love that keeps on loving me against all the odds, knowing what I am really like?

Writing to the church in Corinth, Paul speaks of the dangers of hurting a brother whose faith is weak – and he goes on to say, a brother for whom Christ died.  That’s it – just one person, a person who may be causing some problems and yet a person for whom Christ died.  This is their price, how much they are worth to God

So we are faced with the most astounding truth in the entire Bible.  That you and I, whoever we are, are worth it, worth the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  This is my price, the cost to God, for me as an individual, as I am!

So that is my price, my divine valuation – the life-blood of the Son of God.  And more, God does not seek his money back should I refuse his nail-pierced hand.  He keeps at it.

For God's love finds me – and not the other way round.  And the appropriate response?
 

“Love, so amazing so divine, demands my soul,

my life, my all!”

In his love,   Ross Moughtin

We welcome Rt Rev David Jennings, the Bishop of Warrington,

who will be preaching at our 6.30 pm service of Evening Worship

on Sunday, 7 September.
 

SUMMER THEMES  For the summer months our 10.45 service will be geared for the whole family but with the children leaving for 15 minutes towards the end of the service for a special activity based on the theme for the day.

This summer our theme will be, ‘Undercover heroes of the Bible’

Sunday, 27 July      Simon of Cyrene – who carried the cross for Jesus

Sunday, 2 August    Deborah – wisdom in action

Sunday, 9 August    Barnabas – how to be a good steward for God

Sunday, 16 August  Epaphras – faithful in prayer

Sunday, 23 August  Lydia – a woman who made her mark

Sunday, 31 August        Elisha – the man with special sight

THINKING OF GETTING MARRIED?

This autumn sees a huge change in how weddings take place within the Church of England.

From this coming October, it will become much easier to get married at the Church of England parish church of your choosing.  The present policy is that you can only get married in the parish church where you live or where you are on the electoral roll.  Some exceptions were allowed but only after express permission from the Archbishop of Canterbury.  But now you can be married in the church where you or your family were once linked, even if you have moved away.

So as it affects us at Christ Church, you can now be married if just one of the following criteria is met:

* If either the bride or the groom were baptised or prepared for confirmation in our parish (and that includes Cottage Lane Mission)

* The bride or groom has lived in our parish at some time in their lives for at least six months

 * The bride or groom has at any time regularly attended church services here for at least six months

* One of he parents of the bride or groom has lived here for at least  six months since they were born

* One of the parents of the bride or groom has regularly attended church services here for at least six months since they were born

* The parents or grandparents of the bride or groom were married here.

There is special provision for those who have been divorced – please contact the vicar who will explain the guidelines published by the Diocese.  Essentially this is at the discretion of the Bishop of Liverpool.


 

DOING ALPHA This September we are presenting our 29^th  Alpha course exploring the Christian faith with a special launch evening event at Hurlston Hall Golf Club on Wednesday, 24 September with the course starting the following Wednesday.   This will be in partnership with St James, Westhead and Ormskirk Christian Fellowship. 

Some 410 or so people from Ormskirk and beyond have attended our courses over 12 years, transforming lives as well as our church.  Quite a few have returned to their own churches renewed and with a passion for Jesus through Alpha.  

"A VIEW WORTH SEEING"
Tower Open Afternoon -  Saturday, 19 July from 2 - 4 pm

It’s a long climb but it’s worth it.  Once again this summer, we are opening our church tower to the general public.  When the skies are clear it seems that our church tower is the first sight of land for ships approaching Liverpool.  Certainly it is a local landmark visible for miles around.  So why not climb the steps yourself and see the view?

We are hoping that our ringers at Christ Church will be giving a demonstration of their demanding craft.   For those coming down from the tower, we can offer you a cup of tea!

CONSIDER DISTRIBUTION It takes a dedicated army of willing volunteers to take CONSIDER around each month to every house in the parish.  This month sees the final round for Linda Elesedy, who has been faithfully delivering CONSIDER to houses in Holborn Hill for many years.  We thank her for her dedication over that time.

PARK PRAISE SUCCESS  This event, held last month in Coronation Park and presented by the seven churches of Ormskirk, was a great success.  The park ranger estimated about 2,500 people visited the site over the Saturday afternoon.  There was non-stop entertainment from the bandstand as well as numerous stalls and presentations. 

A lot of people worked very hard to make such a success – especially Beryl Mackenzie, from Cottage Lane Mission, who as secretary to Ormskirk Churches Together pulled everything together.  It was great to see the churches working together so effectively. 

PROPOSED CHURCH HALL

 We are still waiting for a decision from the West Lancs. Planning Department.
 

This month Bishops and Archbishops from all over the world will be gathering in London for the Lambeth Conference.  To celebrate this event there will be a

WORLD MISSION EVENSONG

at the Cathedral at 3 pm on Sunday 13 July and it will be attended by visiting Bishops. 

NEW WINE  This summer over 28 church members will be taking part in the New Wine holiday at the Newark and Nottinghamshire County Showground, Newark.  Using caravans and tents along with 8000 other participants, this is just under one week with activities for all age groups.  This will be the second time we have gone to New Wine as a church, joining with St John’s Burscough and St John’s Thornham.  

CONGRATULATIONS!  …  to Dr Alex McMinn on being awarded the MBE for services to the community in Ormskirk, especially his hard work for the U3A.

NEWS FROM CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL

The School PHA holds its Summer Fair on

Saturday, 12 July, from 12 noon to 3 PM.

School Visits

 July 2      Year 4 to Liverpool Museum to find out about Ancient Egypt   

 July 4      The Reception class visits Chester Zoo.

July 8       Year 1 to Croxteth Hall.

July 10      Year 4 visit Christ Church for a special tour with the vicar.

 
Sporting activities

July 4       Year 6 take part in a Rounders tournament

                 at Burscough Priory High School 

July 14      Infants sports afternoon takes place 

July 17      The Junior sports day  

Special assemblies
July 7       Year 3 class assembly 

 July 11     Year 2 have their class assembly.   

There will be a Parents Evening on 7 July while

Year 6 Leavers evening for parents takes place on 21 July.
 

SCHOOL LEAVERS’ SERVICE

This year the joint Aughton Schools Leavers Service for

 St Michael’s, Town Green and Christ Church schools

 takes place in St Michael's Church on

Tuesday July 15th at 2 pm.

 Everyone welcome. 

PROM PRAISE GUEST SERVICE A GREAT SUCCESS

  Led by the orchestra from All Souls London with conductor Noel Tredinnick, we had a great service.  Noel commented: 

A huge 'thank you' - all of you - for a most spectacular and memorable weekend for the All Souls Orchestra with you again in lovely Liverpool and Merseyside.  We had a really great time and so appreciated all you were able to give us.  We're praising God for your provision:  for the energy, vision and kindness you showed us unflinchingly and which the Lord bestowed on you.

The service was signed for the deaf and those with a hearing impairment by Nicki Luscombe, of Holt Coppice, and Sue Thomas, of Peet Avenue.  However, remarkably two of the deaf people attending the service, John Reedy and Irene Cobb, had not seen each other since leaving their school for the deaf 51 years ago.  Their story featured in the Ormskirk Advertiser.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

11-17 MAY

The total donated in the house-to-house collection raised a record

£3,244.

Many thanks to all who collected and those who gave.

The actual amount will be increased significantly by those tax payers who signed the

 Gift Aid form for amounts over £2.

Our key task at Christ Church is to share Jesus with everyone in our parish