Dear Friends

With new National Lockdown restrictions in England now in force, there is a

sense of déjà vu – we have seen this before – but this time it is different. Not

only are schools, colleges and universities still open, but we have dark

evenings and long nights to contend with. I would encourage you to keep

contact with each other – a simple phone call and a chat can lift the spirits of

someone at home alone.

Lockdown means that we can not welcome a congregation into Christ Church

for Sunday Worship for the next few weeks, but we are allowed to livestream

from the church. This week’s service for Remembrance Sunday is at 3pm and

will be available on Zoom. Details of how to join, including by simply

phoning in from an ordinary landline telephone, can be

found on page 16.

Blessings.

Ian

Rev’d Ian Smith

Our mission is to offer our best to God

through worship, fellowship

and care for the community

Photo Credit: David Humphreys

This Sunday’s service is in the afternoon at 3.00pm

THE SERVICE WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE VIA ZOOM

Worship for Sunday 8 November

Opening Words

If we will but listen,

God will speak to us in parables,

God will tell us stories

lived out by our grandparents.

If we will but remember,

we will discover all we have heard and known,

all the wonders God has in store for us.

If we will but share,

we can tell our children and grandchildren –

even those not yet born –

the glorious stories of our God.

Hymn

A recording of this hymn from First Plymouth Church, Lincoln, Nebraska can

be found at https://youtu.be/Npf8huGFZ3E

Our God, our help in ages past,

our hope for years to come,

our shelter from the stormy blast,

and our eternal home:

under the shadow of thy throne

thy saints have dwelt secure;

sufficient is thine arm alone,

and our defence is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,

or earth received her frame;

from everlasting thou art God,

to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight

are like an evening gone;

short as the watch that ends the night

before the rising son.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,

bears all our years away;

they fly forgotten, as a dream

dies at the opening day.

Our God, our help in ages past,

our hope for years to come,

be thou our guard while troubles last,

and our eternal home. Isaac Watts (1674 – 1748)

Prayer of the Day

We stand at the crossing,

Holy God,

arms, hearts, souls

full of the burdens

the gods of this world

have placed on us.

You remove them,

throw then to one side,

taking us by the hand

to lead us into your kingdom.

As we turn to you in our despair,

Holy Friend,

you come and fill our emptiness

with the holy oil

of your compassion,

so we might always

be ready to serve

those who come to us.

Holy Wisdom,

you would not leave us

uninformed of God's love for us,

so you whisper in our ears

of wonders beyond imagination;

you remove the blindfolds from our eyes

so we may behold the grace

flowing all around us;

you open our hearts

to the family God has given us.

God in Community, Holy and One,

hear us as we pray.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Old Testament Reading: Amos 5 v8-24

Pause

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 70

Pause

Gospel Reading: Matthew 25 v1-13

Pause

Reflect on the readings using the material on page 6

Prayer of Confession

How quickly we forget - our faith, our calling, our hope.

All because we try to do everything our way, rather than God's.

But God is quicker to forgive, and to restore us to new life.

Let us confess to our God, as we pray.

It is never easy to admit how foolish we are, Approaching God.

You have chosen us for yourself,

and we continue to shelter false gods in our hearts.

You promise to be with us in every moment,

but we can find little time for you.

You send your Word to us,

but we are too busy listening to the noise of our culture to pay attention.

Have mercy, Eternal One, and forgive us.

Speak to us, so we might listen,

and in hearing be transformed into your people.

Fill us with holiness, so we might give ourselves wholly to others.

Enable us to serve you faithfully and completely,

even as did our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Silence

This is our assurance: God forgives us.

This is our hope: God's love is everlasting.

This is our truth: God is with us always.

We will speak the truth;

we will live the hope;

we will share God's mercy.

Thanks be to God.

Amen.

Hymn

A recording of this hymn from Songs of Praise in 2013 can be found at https://

youtu.be/7Y5N6oxIKH0

Longing for light, we wait in darkness.

Longing for truth, we turn to you.

Make us your own, your holy people,

light for the world to see.

Christ, be our light!

Shine in our hearts.

Shine through the darkness.

Christ, be our light!

Shine in your church

gathered today.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.

Longing for hope, many despair.

Your word alone has power to save us.

Make us your living voice.

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.

Longing for warmth, many are cold.

Make us your building, sheltering others,

walls made of living stone.

Many the gifts, many the people,

many the hearts that yearn to belong.

Let us be servants to one another,

making your kingdom come. Copyright © 1995 Bernadette Farrell, OCP Publications.

Reprinted by authorisation of One License number A-632905

Closing Words

We go to tell the stories of our God,

listening to the lives of those around us as we do.

We go to discover the gifts of everyone we meet,

remembering Jesus, who blessed us with hope and life.

We go to share all that is within us,

telling everyone - from the smallest child to the oldest person –

of the Spirit who longs to shape us into one community.

Bible Reading and Reflection for this Sunday

Readings: Amos 5 v18-24 & Matthew 25 v1-13

Reflection

In Old Testament times, popular belief looked

forward to a time when God would fulfil the nation’s

aspirations by overcoming their external enemies

and introducing a period of prosperity. The people

spoke of this expectation as 'the day of the Lord' or

'the year of the Lord’s favour'. Amos, the oldest of the bible’s prophetic books,

turns the popular expectation of ‘the day of the Lord’ on its head. The day for

which God is working is not to be a time of tribal euphoria, but a time when the

nation will be called to account for its moral and spiritual failures.

This will be God's big surprise. Things will not

work out the way we want, but in the way God

wants. This surprise is described by Amos with all

the vigorous humour of a double-take. Someone

leans an arm lazily upon the wall and is bitten by a

snake. You think you have just got away from a

lion, when a bear comes around the corner.

The humour quickly disappears as the warnings get more pointed. To put it

simply, all the things the people thought were pleasing to God – festivals,

sacrifices and songs – are rejected by God, because what God really wants is

justice and righteousness.

Our Gospel reading also shows God's surprising

future. St Matthew tells of a big surprise for a sleepy

church. The chapter consists of three amusing short

stories, each of which has a surprising climax. The first

of these describes a wedding reception, which started

so late that most people went to sleep. They were

surprised by the sudden arrival of the bridal party, at

which point some were ready and others were not.

They were not exactly blamed for sleeping, but for

allowing their batteries to go flat.

Christ comes to us in surprising ways. Each of these short stories depicts a

different aspect of his surprising behaviour and its equally surprising

consequences. The overall message is simple - be ready to recognise and

celebrate Christ whenever he comes.

The God of surprises has one final surprise: death

itself. Given the fragility of our all too human lives, it is

not surprising that death often comes to people as a

surprise. But Christian faith is rooted in the hope of

resurrection. We are not to mourn over our loved

ones like people who think that death is the last word

on life. We are to be ready for life, for life now and for

life to come. We must always be ready to give up life

for the sake of even more life, more for ourselves and

life for others.

Please note, articles for inclusion in next week’s bulletin need to be with Liz

Byrne by 7.00pm on Tuesday 10th November.

Please send by email to: bulletin@ccpsurc.info

or post to: Bulletin, c/o 21 Gorsehill Road, Wallasey, CH45 9JA

Items For Next Week’s News Bulletin

Thank you for your continuing financial support of the life of the church. As

you make your weekly offering, by which ever means, we invite you to pray

this week’s prayer of dedication:

Loving God,

we bring these gifts

as a small way of thanking you for all you have given,

and as an outward expression

of all we want to offer you in return.

We bring with them ourselves and our life together,

our prayers and our worship,

our words and our deeds,

our living and our loving.

We bring ourselves, in grateful praise,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For those who would like to make their weekly offerings, or make an

additional donation, by online banking the church bank account details are:

A/c name: Christ Church Sort Code: 01 07 02 A/c number: 07704216

Please ensure that you include your offertory envelope number.

Offertory and Prayer for this Week

Due to the restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of

coronavirus, Wirral Council have decided that all major

outdoor events – including Remembrance Sunday

ceremonies – will not take place this year. There is to

be no formal wreath laying at Port Sunlight War

Memorial on Remembrance Sunday, and a council spokesperson has said

that residents should not arrange their own community events and

gatherings. We are being encouraged to pay our respects at home.

Christ Church will continue to follow our current practice of

holding our service in the afternoon on the 2nd Sunday of the

month. Our 3pm livestreamed service will have a

Remembrance theme, and will include 2 minutes silence.

Details of how to join by Zoom can be found on page 16.

Remembrance Sunday—8 November

Sunday 8.00am on BBC Radio Merseyside

Sharing services across the country on your local BBC radio station.

Information about this week’s service should be available on this

link on Saturday: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7cb

Sunday 8.10am on BBC Radio 4

Seek Higher things A service for Remembrance

from the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell in its

centenary year. Preacher: The Revd (Air Vice

Marshall) John Ellis, Chaplain in Chief RAF; Leader:

The Revd (Wing Commander) David Norfield, RAF,

the College Chaplain. RAF personnel speak of their experience of the place

of God in their life of service, as a nurse looking after COVID patients, as the

newest officer in the Royal Air Force, and as a junior officer whose fast jet

pilot father lost his life on active service. Readings: Isaiah 55 (from verse 6)

and Matthew 25. Including recordings from RAF music services.

Sunday 10.15am on BBC One & 10.30am on Radio 4

Remembrance Sunday at The Cenotaph David Dimbleby presents live

coverage from the Cenotaph on BBC One, and Paddy O’Connell on Radio 4.

Members of the Royal Family, the Government, veterans and the Armed

Forces will gather in Westminster for the National Service of Remembrance.

The ceremony this year has been adapted for social distancing without

spectators, who have been asked to watch from home, and the traditional

March Past replaced by a contingent of veterans

representing the thousands who would normally take

part. Veterans from across the nation have shared

stories and reflections on remembrance on film.

On BBC One, Sophie Raworth will speak to key

participants in this unique event that will mark 100

years since the Cenotaph was built in Portland stone.

The Two Minute Silence at 11am will be followed by

wreath laying, as the nation remembers all those who

died serving their country.

Opportunities to Worship for Remembrance

Sunday 1.15pm on BBC One—Songs of Praise

For Remembrance Sunday, Aled Jones visits the Brecon Beacons in Wales,

where the British military has trained since the Second World War. Aled

meets Jules Hudson, broadcaster and military historian, to find out about

Brecon’s military connections, including being the home of the Royal Welsh.

We mark the 25th anniversary of the Disability

Discrimination Act and the impact it has had on the

lives of many members of the armed forces as well as

civilians in the UK over the last two and a half decades.

James Lusted finds out more from an organisation

called the Soldier's Arts Academy that works with

servicemen and women who have been injured whilst

serving their country. James speaks to Christian Maurillia Simpson, who

served in Iraq but retired from the army due to injury. She shares her story of

finding peace through the medium of singing and her faith.

We celebrate 150 years of the British Red

Cross by meeting one of its longest serving

volunteers, who felt called to start helping

with the charity during the Second World

War, when she was just seven years old. And

Aled Jones is reunited with D-Day veteran

Harry Billinge, who featured in the Songs of

Praise episode to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day in 2019. Harry tells

Aled about receiving his MBE from the Queen for services to charitable

fundraising and reveals his reflections about Remembrance Sunday.

Sunday 3.00pm at Christ Church, Port Sunlight

Remembrance Sunday During this period of ‘lockdown’ we are not able to

welcome you into the church building. We can, however, still

livestream a service from the church via Zoom. As this is the

second Sunday of the month, our service this week is an

Afternoon Service at 3.00pm. The service will be led by Rev

Ian Smith, and will be a service for Remembrance Sunday.

The service will include a 2 minute silence. Information about

how to join the service by Zoom can be found on page 16.

URC Daily Devotions and Sunday Worship

Sunday’s service will be led by Revd. Susan Henderson. Susan is

minister of 3 churches in the Inverclyde region west of Glasgow,

Greenock East, Greenock West, and Port Glasgow URC's.

This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday so will include traditional

times of silence, pieces of music (The Last Post), and The Tryst.

Hymns include a rousing rendition of All my hope on God is founded, Lord

make us servants of your peace, Bernadette Farrell's Christ Be Our Light

(Longing for Light), concluding with a sumptuous Songs of Praise special,

Thine Be The Glory.

Wednesday 11 November, 10.30am - 11.45am BBC One

Unknown Warrior 100 Huw Edwards presents

coverage live from Westminster Abbey of a unique event

marking the 100th anniversary of the burial of the

Unknown Warrior. It will also celebrate the unveiling of

the Cenotaph, bringing to a close centennial tributes

marking the end of WWI.

An Armistice Day ceremony, encompassing the National moment of

Remembrance at 11am, will thoughtfully reflect the original 1920 funeral of

the Unknown Warrior, including singing by the Abbey Choir, an Address by

the Archbishop of Canterbury, and readings, a performance of the hymn

Abide With Me sung by Ruby Turner and performances by other special

guests. It will be attended by the HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess

of Cornwall.

Forthcoming Worship on Zoom

Sunday 8 November 3.00pm Afternoon Remembrance Service

led by Rev’d Ian Smith

Sunday 15 November 10.30am Morning Service

led by Rev’d Ian Smith

Sunday 22 November 10.30am Morning Service

led by Rev’d Ian Smith

Sunday 29 November 10.30am Morning Advent Sunday Service

led by Rev’d Ian Smith

Don’t forget to contact Sam on 07518115292 and leave a

message, or email her on secretary@ccpsurc.info if you

have Harry Potter Jam Jars filled with change for the ‘Water

Aid ‘Jars of Change’ to return to church.

Let us pray to God,

who alone makes us dwell in safety:

For all who are affected by coronavirus,

through illness or isolation or anxiety,

that they may find relief and recovery:

Lord, graciously hear us.

For those who are guiding our nation at this time,

and shaping national policies,

that they may make wise decisions:

Lord, graciously hear us.

For doctors, nurses and medical researchers,

that through their skill and insights

many will be restored to health:

Lord, graciously hear us.

For the vulnerable and the fearful,

for the gravely ill and the dying,

that they may know your comfort and peace:

Lord, graciously hear us.

We commend ourselves,

and all for whom we pray,

to the mercy and protection of God.

Merciful Father,

accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son,

our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Remember in your Prayers

Harry Potter Jam Jar Appeal

The planned installation of Wirral Rainbow Flowers has been

postponed due to the changing Coronavirus restrictions. In the

meantime, it is still possible to sponsor or purchase a flower –

phone the WUTH Charity office on 0151 482 7788 for more details.

Wirral Rainbow Flower Installation

Saturday 7 November

@ 10.00am —10.45am

The Zoom link is:

https://zoom.us/j/99616764314?pwd=MWJ0akhUTzU1U2w0eGJrVE5YK0pMdz09

Meeting ID: 996 1676 4314 / Passcode: 369573

Either click the link or access via the Zoom Website or App

As we are back in lockdown, if you need help with shopping,

collecting prescriptions or walking your dog then please do

not hesitate to contact Rev’d Ian Smith and you will be linked

with one of our willing volunteers. If you would like to

volunteer to help please also contact Ian on 0151 372 8822.

Do You Need Any Help?

Messy Church Live

Families with young children are invited to join us for Messy Church Live this

Saturday, 7 November, at 10.00am. During our time together we share in

songs, stories and active prayer, and those who join with us have a lovely

time. Please share the information with your families and friends.

Psalm 104:10-18 A Poem of Creation

In Psalm 104 we hear of how the God of creation has provided for all

creatures, and how all of creation has a purpose and is part of the creative

order. The water that flows between the mountains ensures that wild animals

have somewhere to drink and the wild BIRDS have somewhere to nest, and

enables the trees to grow, where the BIRDS of the air can nest. The God of

creation looks after all of creation, so how much more will God be a place of

peace and refuge for each one of us. Our activity this week reminds us of the

BIRDS nesting by the water and in the trees.

To make 6 BIRDS’ Nest Cakes you will need:

❑ 100g milk chocolate , broken into pieces; 42g shredded

wheat (crushed) or rice krispies; egg shaped sweets;

❑ cupcake cases

Instructions:

Melt the chocolate in a small bowl placed over a pan of barely

simmering water. Pour the chocolate over the shredded wheat/rice

krispies and stir well to combine.

Spoon the chocolate wheat into 6 cupcake cases and press the back of

a teaspoon in the centre to create a nest shape. Place 3 sweets on top

of each nest. Chill the nests in the fridge for 2 hrs until set.

Alternatively you could make cake for the BIRDS. You will need:

❑ birdseed, raisins, peanuts, grated cheese, suet or lard,

❑ yoghurt pots, string, mixing bowl, scissors.

Instructions:

make a hole at the bottom of the yoghurt pot. Thread string

through the hole and tie a knot

Allow lard to warm up to room temperature. Cut it into

small pieces and put into mixing bowl

Add all the ingredients and mix together with your fingers.

Fill yoghurt pots with the bird cake, leave in fridge to set

Hang the yoghurt pot from the tree or bird table

Messy Church BIRDS & BUGS Activity:

Birds’ Nest Cakes

Poppy in your Window

As an act of remembrance and respect for those who have given their lives

over the years for their country, we invite you to display the poppy below in

your window for Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday.

Alternatively, if you would like to support the British Legion ’EVERY POPPY

COUNTS’ Appeal, you can make a donation, download and print their A4

poster of the iconic Remembrance Poppy. Follow the link to place your order

and make a donation https://www.poppyshop.org.uk/products/download-a-

remembrance-poppy

We continue to offer our Sunday Worship on Zoom. The stream will open

by 2.50pm and you will be admitted immediately.

To join the service by video you will need to either:

click on the zoom link provided below, or

open the Zoom app and enter the Meeting ID and

Password provided.

Please select ‘Speaker View’, and remain muted.

Join Zoom Meeting using the link:

https://zoom.us/j/98497414236?pwd=bUtlRmNwOENKUkowTERtUFFkRElQUT09

Meeting ID: 984 9741 4236

Meeting Password: 674153

If joining by landline or mobile phone there are seven numbers to try that

are listed below.

Choose any one of the number listed below, if it is engaged try another

number.

You will be asked to key in the Meeting ID: 984 9741 4236, followed

by '#'.

You will be asked for the Participant ID, ignore this and press ‘#’.

You will then be asked for the Meeting Password: 674153, followed

by ’#’ again, this should get you through!

Please remain muted.

Dial-in numbers: 0203 481 5237

0203 481 5240

0203 901 7895

0208 080 6591

Join in with Sunday Worship from Home

0208 080 6592

0131 460 1196

0330 088 5830

Telephone: 0151 372 8822

Address: 21 Gorsehill Rd, Wallasey, CH45 9JA

Email: minister@byrne-smith.com or minister@ccpsurc.info

Ian normally takes Monday as a day off.

Contact Details: Rev’d Ian Smith