Parish Church of St Luke Holmes Chapel
Serving Christ in our local community
Image courtesy of Mark Chipperfield
This week at St Luke’s
Sunday 26th Nov: next before Advent
Readings today: Galatians 6, v1-18; Matthew 25, v31-46
9.00 am Holy Communion in church – a traditional communion service with hymns and sermon
10.00 am Genesis meets in the Church Hall – Nativity launch and joins congregation in church for Holy Communion
10.30 am Holy Communion in church – less formal, “no books” communion service joined by Genesis, followed by tea/coffee in the Church Hall
11.45 am Bring & Share Lunch in the Church Hall for all our congregations – bring something savoury or sweet: all contributions are put on a big table and shared!
Mon 27th Nov
9.00 am short Morning Prayer by Zoom* (Rob’s account)
Tues 28th Nov
9.00am short Morning Prayer by Zoom* (Rob’s account)
Wed 29th Nov
9.00 am short Morning Prayer by Zoom* (Rob’s account)
10.30 am Holy Communion in church – short quiet service of communion for midweek
7.30 pm St Luke’s Community Choir meets in the Church Hall – open to everyone who enjoys a good sing!
*note: if you are local to Holmes Chapel and would like to join in one of our regular short services (30 mins) of Morning Prayer by Zoom, please email comms@stlkhc.uk and we will send you the Zoom login details.
Thurs 30th Nov
9.00 am ‘Early Birds’ parent & toddler group meets until 10 am in the Church Hall – see Notice
Sunday 3rd December: Advent Sunday
**Note – the church carpark will be closed all day for the Village Christmas Market & Fair – alternative parking has been provided until midday see Notice
Readings today: Malachi 4, v1-6; Matthew 1, v1-25
9.00 am Holy Communion in church – a traditional communion service with hymns and sermon
10.00 am Genesis meets in the Church Hall – getting ready for Nativity
10.30 am Morning Service in church – less formal, “no books” morning worship, followed by tea/coffee in the Church Hall
2.30 pm – 6.30 pm Church is Open to Visitors during the Village Christmas Market – providing warm hospitality and a variety of music from our singers and musicians
Parking 3 Dec 23
Our usual carpark spaces beside the Church Hall are NOT available at any time on Sunday 3rd Dec during the Village Christmas Market.
Alternative carparking has kindly been provided until midday in the private carpark immediately on the right as you enter Parkway from London Road
Bible Reading Fellowship notes 2024
Time to renew or start your 2024 subscription to New Daylight notes from the Bible Reading Fellowship to help with your daily Bible reading. and prayer.
65 Years as a bell ringer
On 5 November David Phillips, received a presentation recognising his 65th year as a bell ringer at St Luke’s. He is pictured with his wife Ann who received a bouquet of flowers. David has now added his personal thanks for the presentation and the support of his wife!
Mothers’ Union Oct 2023
On Thursday 18th October, we welcomed Jean McLaren to speak about her life as the wife of a vicar. She entitled her talk: “A Pot of Coffee, a Jam Muffin and 17 Pairs of Welly
Boots!”
She first of all told us the story of how they met, with Jean working in the Birkenhead Bookshop and a certain curate who kept coming in and ordering obscure books! They at
least did have a shared faith…….
Barnabas Aid – Holy Land Appeal
Barnabas Aid Holy Land Appeal – October 2023 – Help needed for our suffering Christian family in the Holy Land amidst the death and destruction which have erupted and continue in that area.
Many Christians have sought refuge in the Holy Land after fleeing persecution in parts of Africa.
Can you help provide for them and other suffering Christians?
Operation Christmas Child 2023 – Thank you
Sunday 29th October saw the culmination of the 2023 Operation Christmas Child at St Luke’s. Thank you to everyone who helped make this yet another successful year.
November 2023 letter
There are practical issues which are proving a challenge for us at St Luke’s Church, as we play our part in helping people remember during the month of November.
On Remembrance Sunday 12th November, we welcome hundreds of local people to the Churchyard as we remember the sacrifice of so many servicemen and women, and also of our forebears, whose resilience has carried our community through world wars, terrorism and other threats of danger. In the last 18 months, the Churchyard has also been a good focus for village Jubilee and Coronation celebrations………..
October 2023 letter
Over the last two years our village has become moderately well known for two things which ten years ago would have seemed very unlikely. These are first: Harry Styles heritage tours, and second: celebrations involving lots of knitting…….
From 2nd to 13th October, St Luke’s Church will be transformed, as it hosts the Knitted Bible Experience. Thirty-five scenes from the Bible are reimagined using knitted characters. Favourites from the Old Testament and New, including Noah’s Ark and Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep. And you may have already noticed the impressive bunting in the churchyard…….
Church Council 2023-2024
See the PCC page for details of the new Church Council for 2023/2024 after appointments made at the Annual Church meetings on 14th May and the first Council meeting on 15th May 2023.
- The next meeting of the Church Council is on Monday 13th November at 7.30pm in the Massey Room of the Church Hall
- Meeting agenda here.
- Minutes of Church Council meetings can be found on the PCC page.
Prayers at Remembrance time
Praying Together during Remembrance @St Lukes, Holmes Chapel
O Lord, open our lips
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Let your ways be known upon earth,
Your saving power among the nations.
_____________________
Blessed Lord, Who has caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Help us so to hear them,
To read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them,
That through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, We may embrace and forever hold fast the hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Praying Together
When sickness is near:
you can view or download this prayersheet here
God of compassion, be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation.
In their loneliness, be their consolation;
in their anxiety, be their hope;
in their darkness, be their light;
through him who suffered alone on the cross, but reigns with you in glory,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Merciful God, we entrust to your tender care those who are ill or in pain,
knowing that whenever danger threatens your everlasting arms are there to hold them safe.
Comfort and heal them, and restore them to health and strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
For hospital staff and medical researchers
Gracious God,
give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick,
and your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit,
that through their work many will be restored to health;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
From one who is ill or isolated
O God, help me to trust you,
help me to know that you are with me, help me to believe that nothing can separate me from your love
revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Lizzie Pilcher’s charity walk
Lizzie successfully completed her Half Marathon walk around London landmarks for Crohn’s and Colitis UK on 19th June 2023 and raised over £700 in sponsorship. See route and photos.
Organ recital – October 2021
Our new organ was commissioned at a recital on 2nd October 2021 by the acclaimed organist Ian Tracey, Organist Titulaire at Liverpool Cathedral.
Thanks to the generosity of many we have now been able to welcome our new organ into the church—and it is clear that it will be of great benefit to our worship.
Ian treated the audience to a superb programme of music chosen by him to demonstrate our organ’s capabilities. His wonderful musicianship and his interesting and engaging comments about the music and the organ itself made it an evening to remember.
Daily Hope Line 0800 804 8044
Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line. A Church of England initiative in partnership with CONNECTIONS at Holy Trinity Claygate, and Faith in Later Life The line –...