Return of choral singing

2020-10-17T20:03:18+01:00

Although congregational singing is still not allowed, Limited choral singing is now permitted. The choir will return on the second and fourth Sundays, starting on the 13th and again on 27th. Just in case you have forgotten what we sound like, you can hear us here.

Return of choral singing2020-10-17T20:03:18+01:00

Autumn Sermon Series

2020-10-17T20:04:35+01:00

A look ahead to our Autumn programme of services 2020

In various ways, we will explore in our worship, preaching, children’s material and Home Groups, what it means to be an eco-congregation and an inter-generational Christian learning community.

We will do this:

  1. Through a sermon series on key Bible stories
  2. Through welcome and learning in our Home Groups
  3. By providing opportunities for our congregations to grow in Christian confidence
  4. By encouraging us to read the Bible in a year, through a very helpful resource www.bibleinoneyear.org

The Programme

  • 6th Sept Love the Lord your God with all your heart, Soul, strength, and mind
  • 13th Sept Love your neighbour
  • 20th Sept Love yourself
  • 27th Sept Mission Gift Day: Send a Cow Charity

October/November/December Themes – Being an Eco Congregation. How then shall we live? – an exploration of our theology of Eco-church

  • 4th Oct Harvest Festival God and progress: The problem of blind ignorance
  • 11th Oct God and Nature: The problem of separation
  • 18th Oct God and Heaven: The Problem of after- life is left for after life. Old Town Partnership Pulpit Exchange – Robert Jordan preaching.
  • Friday 23rd Oct Martin Palmer Friends of Christ Church lecture ‘Learning from Celebration Earth’
  • 25th Oct God and Us: The problem of Greed
  • 1st Nov All Saints Day – God and Salvation: The Salvation of Humankind. All Souls Bereavement Care gathering
  • 8th Nov Remembrance Sunday – in the light of Covid-19. How can our remembering lead us to transformation?
  • 15th Nov God and Conscience: The Salvation of Society
  • 22nd Nov Mission Gift Day Water Aid: Stream of Living Water
  • 29th Nov Advent Sunday: God in Me, what can I do?
  • 6th Dec God in the Community: What can we do?
  • 7th Dec Holy Innocents: we are all key workers.
  • 13th Dec Preparing for Christmas in the midst of a world pandemic. Theme: Comfort
  • 20th Dec Preparing for Christmas in the midst of a world pandemic. Theme: Joy
  • 25th Dec Friday, Christmas Day Theme: New insights for 2020 as Jesus is born.
Autumn Sermon Series2020-10-17T20:04:35+01:00

Take a look at our Children’s resources page

2020-09-24T13:04:24+01:00

Each week, Children can join in with our services listening to bible stories and using fun resources on our Children’s corner pages.

We are posting a variety of materials to help our younger parishioners and friends enjoy and understand our Bible stories.

https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/blog/children/

Take a look at our Children’s resources page2020-09-24T13:04:24+01:00

Missing the choir?

2020-08-27T21:09:20+01:00
Listen to us singing – Angel Voices ever singing – F Potts
Over the years our faithful choir has supported services, sometimes with friends joining us, sometimes just the few. Sadly some no longer with us. In these unprecended times, we can’t be there but you can still hear us. Click the image above to listen.

Missing the choir?2020-08-27T21:09:20+01:00

24 Hour Free Phone line

2020-05-16T23:10:06+01:00

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has launched a FREE national ‘phone line as a simple new way to bring worship and prayer into peoples’ homes whilst church buildings are closed.
Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of the telephone line. The 24 hour a day line is particularly helpful for those unable to join online church services;

The free ‘phone number is: 0800 804 8044

24 Hour Free Phone line2020-05-16T23:10:06+01:00

Some Prayer Resources

2020-08-29T13:42:32+01:00

Here are some helpful resources to help you to deepen your prayer life at home. Do let us know how we can be praying and supporting you.

“To pray is to make our hearts ready to experience the love of God in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Praying regularly will help us to develop a spiritual rhythm. A discipline of prayer changes the way that we think about our lives, because it creates new habits of heart and mind. Prayer opens us more deeply to the transforming grace of God. We enter into God’s presence, allowing the Holy Spirit to pray in us”

Taken from the Church of England website:-
https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/learning-pray

You can download all the prayer suggestions below


Taize Prayer

The Taize brothers have divided their household into 8 units. Every evening at 7.30pm they invite us to join a few of them in their home for the evening prayer. It lasts around 40 minutes. You can see the videos anytime, and if you wish to, read the messages and prayers pouring in from all over the world as people join in. But above all it is an opportunity to focus on God and join in prayer at a time of day when we may be feeling anxious or tired.
Go to http://www.taize.fr/en_article27540.html and click the link on the site.
Or you can listen via their Facebook page.


The Ignatian Method of Prayer

is to project oneself back into the Biblical scene and to become a part of it by way of imagination. Ignatius suggests that we try to imagine what we might see, what we might hear, and what the persons in the scene might be doing. What changes or challenges does our reflection on the event bring us?
1. (John 21:1-19) Imagine that you are Peter. Read the story very carefully so that you will remember all of the details. Then close your eyes and re-live the scene in your imagination. Try to capture your feelings when Jesus asks you three times, “Do you love me?” Then answer the way
you would want to answer rather than merely repeat what Peter said. When Jesus tells you:
“Follow me,” try to imagine what that might mean in the immediate future of your present life.

2. (Luke 10:25-37) Read the parable of the Good Samaritan and try to imagine yourself, first of all,as the priest who passes by on the other side of the road. What reasons could you give for refusing to get involved? Then try to imagine yourself as the person who fell among the robbers and who was left half-dead by the side of the road. What might you think as you see people pass you by and refuse your cries for help? Thirdly, imagine yourself as the Good Samaritan. Try to envision some situations today where you could act as a Good Samaritan to others in trouble.

  1. (Mark 9:14-29) Read the story. Imagine yourself as the father of the possessed boy and apply the conversation between Jesus and the father to your own situation. Instead of an afflicted son,
    imagine the affliction is some fault of yours which has resisted cure. Bring this affliction to Jesus and ask him to cure it.
  2. (Luke 7:36-50) Imagine yourself as the penitent woman who comes to Jesus in the house of
    Simon the Pharisee, washes his feet with her tears, and dries them with her hair. Try to imagine
    why you should be weeping and how you came to be convinced that Jesus would understand and show mercy. Imagine your reaction when you hear him saying to you, “Many sins are forgiven you
    because you have loved much.”

Austinian Prayer methods

The Augustinian Method is to transpose the Biblical account onto our situation today. In Augustinian prayer, we try to think of the words of the Bible as though they were a personal letter from God addressed to each one of us.

1.(Matthew 5:38-48) Read the passage slowly several times. Try to discern what meaning the words might have if spoken by Jesus to you at this very moment. Whom do you need to forgive? How might Jesus be asking you today to turn the other cheek, to go the extra mile, to give away your shirt as well as your cloak? Feel free to apply these words of Jesus to some other area of life besides material possessions.

2.(Philippians 3:7-16) Put yourself in the place of a person in Philippi who received this letter from Paul. He is writing with you specifically in mind. He knows your situation quite well. How do the words apply to you?

3.Isaiah 58:2-14) Justice and charity to the poor are the most authentic forms of fasting. How far can these words of God apply to your life? What more can you do to share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless, clothe the naked? Try to imagine God saying these words to you today. What is He asking of you at this time in your life?

4.(Micah 6:8) “You have been told, 0 man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you: Do right, love goodness, and walk humbly with your God.” Consider how these three requests sum up your relationship with God and your fellow human beings. Imagine God speaking these words to you. Close your eyes and repeat them slowly over and over again. Try to apply them to your own situation. What is God asking of you?


A GROUP OF FRANCISCAN TYPE PRAYER SUGGESTIONS

The Franciscan Prayer makes full use of the senses to be open to God. There may be a strong feeling of praying through work or service of others.

  1. Read Daniel 3:26-90 [The Prayer of Azariah vs 29-68 in the Apocrypha]. Spend the remainder of the half hour composing your own canticle of praise of God for all the beauties of His creation. include the beauties of the inner world of the Spirit, of one’s own nature, of friends, as well as of the physical world.
  2. Think of the person in the world that you love the most. Ask yourself the following question: How can I see the presence of God in that person? Spend some time praising and thanking God for giving so much goodness, beauty, grace, etc. to that person. Spend some time thanki ng God for the gift of love whereby you are able to love that person and that person is able to love you.
  3. Think of the person that you least like of all your acquaintances. Try to see something of God’s goodness, love, life, truth, beauty in that person. What might you do to foster and increase the presence of God in that person? Prayer is always a way to help another.
  4. Go outside; look for two trees: one which resembles the kind of person you would like to be or your goal in life, another which expresses in some way the kind of person you see yourself to be now. Decide what you need to do in order to change from the way you now are to the way you would like to be or the way God would like you to be.

A GROUP OF THOMISTIC TYPE PRAYER SUGGESTIONS

Thomistic Prayer pays close attention to the rational process of thinking needed to attain an appropriate conclusion. It emphasises the doctrinal aspects of faith and moves towards the practical outworking of it in
daily life.

  1. (Mark 8:34-38) Doctrine of the Cross. What does Jesus mean when he insists that in order to be his disciple we must take up our cross and follow him? What are the cro sses in your present life? Are you carrying them in the same way that Jesus carried his cross to Calvary? What do you need to change in your present attitude toward your crosses?
  2. (Matthew 10:39) “He who seeks only himself brings himself to ruin; whereas he who brings himself to nought for my sake discovers who he really is.” What does Jesus mean by the words “bring oneself to
    nought for my sake”? What do you need to do in your life to put Jesus’ concerns ahead of your own? How does self-discipline enable us to “discover who we really are”? Just who are we really? What is our primary purpose on earth? Is it to satisfy ourselves or to fulfil some God-given destiny? What is the ministry God is asking of us?
  3. (Matthew 5:20-26 and John 2:13-17) What is the difference between the anger of Jesus and the anger which Jesus condemns in this passage from Matthew? Why is anger so wrong that Jesus equates it with the command against killing? St. Thomas defines anger as the desire to attack violently anyone who poses a threat to something we consider valuable. What about self-defence of our country, our family, ourselves?
    How far are we justified to go to defend ourselves? Is the anger you sometimes feel a justifiable anger, similar to that of Jesus, or the kind of anger Jesus condemns in the Sermon on the Mount? What does one do about one’s anger?
  4. (Matthew 6:26-34) Study carefully each verse of Jesus’ teaching about Divine Providence. With what of it do you agree? What do you consider not applicable to your present way of life? What justification can you make for the verses you are unwilling to accept literally? What changes do you need to make in your life in
    order to follow Christ’s teachings here?

Some Prayer Resources2020-08-29T13:42:32+01:00

Online Bible Course

2020-05-09T15:21:10+01:00

Bible Course
The Staff team recommends to you this excellent Bible Course which is produced locally by The Bible Society. It is available here free online.

If you would like to join 12 of us who are doing the course on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm by Zoom, you would be very welcome. Please let me (Simon@christchurchswindon.co.uk or Tel 01793 529166) know if you would like to take part. It would be helpful if you could look at the first session before next Wednesday. Equally, if you want to do it in your own time do have a word with one of the staff team if you would value mentoring support.
Simon

Online Bible Course2020-05-09T15:21:10+01:00

Find out about our Summer Sermon Series

2020-05-03T00:20:24+01:00

We continue our programme of seasonal sermons in the hope that we can all be in worship together soon. In the meantime you can hear our regular Sunday services on our website.

Summer Programme 2020

May 3rd           (All Age) At Lake Galilee: John 21: 1-14

May 10th        Naomi goes home Ruth:1: 1-18

May 17th        (informal Communion) Ruth and Boaz: Ruth 2: 1-12

May 24th        Ascension Jesus ascends to heaven: Acts 1: 4-11

May 31st        Pentecost: Acts 2: 1-13

June 7th         Trinity Sunday Captivity in Babylon: Daniel 1:3-19

June 14th       The Fiery Furnace: Daniel 3: 13-27

June 21st       (informal Communion) Daniel in the lion’s den: Daniel 6: 10-22

June 28th       Peter and John heal a lame man: Acts 3: 1-10

July 5th          (All age) Philip and the Ethiopian: Acts 8: 26-40

July 12th        Stephen is killed: Acts 6: 8-15 7;54-60

July 19th        (informal Communion) The road to Damascus Acts 9:1-12

July 26th        Peter brings Dorcas back to life Acts 9:36-43

August 2nd    (All age) Peter in prison: Acts 12: 1-16

August 9th     Paul at Philippi in Greece: Acts 16:16-31

August 16th   (informal Communion) An accident in Troas: Acts 20:3b -12

August 23rd   Shipwreck on the way to Rome: Acts 27: 9a-11-25

August 30th   John’s vision of heaven: Revelation 21:1-7

Find out about our Summer Sermon Series2020-05-03T00:20:24+01:00

National Day of Prayer Sunday 22nd March

2020-04-11T12:47:51+01:00

Today Church leaders in Britain and Ireland have called on Christians to take part in a National Day of Prayer and Action about coronavirus.

People are invited to place a lighted candle in their window at 19:00 on Sunday “as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ”.

The call encourages prayer for the Government, health-care workers, and those who are most vulnerable and also lists some actions that Christians might take; “Alongside your prayers, take the opportunity to telephone or email someone who is isolated, buy some additional food for your local foodbank, or offer to deliver shopping for an elderly neighbour.”

National Day of Prayer Sunday 22nd March2020-04-11T12:47:51+01:00

A Prayer in the time of the Coronavirus

2020-05-03T00:21:07+01:00

Almighty and all loving God

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

we pray to you through Christ the Healer

for those who suffer from the Coronavirus Covid-19

in the United Kingdom and across the world.

We pray too for all who reach out to those who mourn the loss

of each and every person who has died as a result of contracting the disease.

Give wisdom to policy makers,

skill to healthcare professionals and researchers,

comfort to everyone in distress

and a sense of calm to us all in these days of uncertainty and distress.

This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord

who showed compassion to the outcast,

acceptance to the rejected,

and love to those to whom no love was shown.

Amen

A Prayer in the time of the Coronavirus2020-05-03T00:21:07+01:00

Church Services restarting

2021-04-01T13:09:17+01:00

Following a full evaluation of the risks and the mitigating measures we take for physical services, Church services have now restarted. We aim to hold a regular 10.00 am. physical Sunday service in Christ Church. As before, it will be available on our website for those who cannot attend in person.

We will continue to review our safety procedures each week in response to attendee numbers and behaviours, so it is important to regularly check service details and information on our website and social media. Over the Easter period, it may be necessary to limit some services to reservation only to ensure COVID safe social distancing.

Our main priority is the health and safety of our community, so things will not be quite the same as usual, but we recognise the importance, for many, of meeting together in worship so have put together this brief explanation of what is permitted and what to expect.

A. We have assessed the safe seating capacity and space available and worked out the best way to seat everyone to maintain 2 metre distancing. Familiar faces will be on hand to welcome you and show you where to sit. Where possible, worship should be from the central pews – these have been marked with a splendid golden circle (thank you Caroline Pitt) to show where you can sit. The church will be carefully sanitised before and after service.

We know that many of you badly want to connect with your church friends after service. Please, though, remember the latest guidance and social distance rules. You must not socialise with people from outside of your household or support bubble while you are indoors here, unless a legal exemption applies. This means that you must take your seat as directed and remain there. At the end of service you must leave the church as soon as possible or as directed by the welcomers.

Please remember that this is to keep everyone safe.

Q. Must I wear a mask?

A. It is mandatory for visitors to churches to wear face coverings. The advice is that they should be worn by all those attending a place of worship, including ministers, worshippers, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors, where there may be other people present; remembering that they are mainly intended to protect other people, not the wearer, from coronavirus Covid-19 and that they are not a replacement for physical distancing and regular hand washing or sanitising.

Please remember also that some of our friends may be exempt from wearing a mask for medical or other reasons

If you forget your face covering, there will initially be a supply available in the entrance to the church so that you can join us safely. Please take your used mask home with you and remember to bring your own next time.

Q. Can I sit with my family?

A. Families from the same household or bubble can all sit together in a pew. The ushers will help to maintain safe distancing and advise you where to sit.

Q. Will there be communion?

A. As normal, services will vary but where communion is offered this will be bread only and will be carefully controlled to minimised transmission risks according to government and church guidelines.

Q. Will the hymn books be sanitised?

A. Sadly, communal hymn singing is still not allowed at the moment, so all hymn books and bibles and other written materials have been removed. Service details are displayed on our screen. Visibility in some parts of the church is limited so we provide an online version of the week’s order of service that you can access using our church wifi. You can find the order of service for the week on our webpage.

The Church has Wifi Access – Look for SSID: christchurch – password fiveloaves.

Q. I usually give cash in the plate when I come to church. I believe this is not advised. What can I do to support the work of the church?

A. We would prefer not to have to expose our volunteers to handling cash but we desperately do need your support. Please take a moment to look at the various ways that you can support us financially here. If none of these apply then do use the pillar donation box at the rear of the church next to the SW door.

Q. Will I be able to talk to my friends after the service?

A. To minimise exposure risk, our services will be shorter than normal, but sadly, socialising with friends from outside your household is not permitted inside. You will be asked to leave the church building as soon as the service is over. Please follow the instructions of the welcomers who will direct you.

Q. Will it be safe to come?

A. We have carefully assessed the risks of bringing us together and have put in place measures to control and minimise the risk of transmission of the virus. It is not, of course, possible however to mitigate risks completely – everyone attending must evaluate their own circumstances and act accordingly. We all have a responsibility to act responsibly to ensure the safety of everyone else.

  • Do not come to church if you feel unwell.
  • Use the NHS Covid App to check in ( we will also take your name at the door)
  • Face coverings are mandatory and must be worn at all times ( see exemptions)
  • Use the hand sanitizer provided when you arrive and when you leave.
  • Be aware of social distancing rules – keep 2 metres apart whenever possible.
  • Cover your nose and mouth if you sneeze or cough – take your tissues home and dispose of them there.
  • Do not socialise inside the building with friends from outside your household or support bubble.

If you do not feel it is safe – stay at home and listen to or watch our service on-line. If you know anyone who does not have internet, please encourage them to contact Simon (01793 529166) or the staff team (01793 522832) for details on how to listen to our services via telephone.

Church Services restarting2021-04-01T13:09:17+01:00

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