Welcome to St Andrew’s
St Andrew’s is a traditional Parish Church situated in the heart of the village of Longton in Lancashire.
We have a friendly Church community, welcoming both regular worshipers and visitors. The pattern of services aims to blend the traditional and more contemporary and events are arranged in both the Church and Church Hall to encompass the wider village community.
If you live near or just passing, please come and pay us a visit.
You will be made most welcome.
Revision of Electoral Roll 2023
The Electoral Roll is now open, so please check and amend your details, for example, if you have changed address. There is a sheet at the back of the church until 12th April. If you have questions please contact our PCC Secretary Judith Rimmer.
The Electoral Roll is a really important document which functions as a membership list. It is important to be on the list especially if you attend the church but live outside the parish. It ensures that you have certain rights within the life of St Andrew’s.
Service Times
Holy Week
Sunday 2 April
Palm Sunday
10am All Age Communion
with procession
Tuesday 4 April
6 pm Sacred Space:
an hour of guided quiet prayer
Wednesday 5 April
10:30am Funeral of Terry Carter
Thursday 6 April
Maundy Thursday
6pm Holy Communion
with Foot Washing
Friday 7 April
Good Friday
10am All Age Worship
Sunday 9 April
Easter Sunday
10 am All Age Holy Communion,
celebration with Egg Hunt
Latest news…
Holy Week begins with a special Palm Sunday service. We will begin the service in the Church Hall at 10 am and process into church. If you would rather take a short cut into church then that’s fine!
Pathfinders – There is no Pathfinders this Sunday. The group will restart on Sunday 16 April. All our services in Holy Week will be family friendly. On Easter Sunday we will have an Easter Egg hunt during the service.
MU Coffee Morning – Thank you to everyone who supported last week’s coffee morning. We raised over £300 for the MU’s work in Burundi.
Church cleaning – We are starting a monthly church cleaning afternoon. The first one will be on Monday 3 April from 1:30-4:30 pm to get the church ready for Holy Week. Please come if you can.
Funeral of Terry Carter – We would like to form a guard of honour consisting of sidespeople and current and former PCC members. If you can come please meet at the church door by 10.20am on Wednesday.
Easter Cards made by Judith Rimmer are available to buy at the back of church. You can pay cash or use the card machine.
AGM – We are currently preparing for the church’s AGM. This year it will be held on Sunday 21 May in the morning. Time to be confirmed, but please stick the date in your diary.
Confirmation Service – Confirmations will take place on Sunday 11 June for those in school year six and above. If you wish to be confirmed please let Sam know. We will organise confirmation preparation in May at a convenient time for candidates. If you are younger than year six you can still be admitted to communion as you wait to be confirmed in 2024.
On Good Friday Christian Aid are holding a hunger lunch at 11:30 am in the Church Hall. All funds raised will go to support areas of the world where there are food shortages. For details contact Cath Greenlees (613500).
Music – see the item about music in the section below.
Alpha at St Andrew’s
Alpha is a course exploring the basics of the Christian faith in an environment where questioning and discussion are encouraged. To join sign up at the back of church or contact alpha@longtonstandrew.org
Starting Thursday 27th April in the Church Hall
Our Alpha Course starts on 27th April and runs for 12 weeks to 13 July.
You may have sat in church for decades with questions you’ve never had the opportunity to ask. Or you may be new to the Christian faith and want to learn more. Alpha is a great place to ask questions and learn together about a life of faith.
There is a registration form at the back of church or you can sign up at alpha.org.uk/try
For more details get in touch with Rev Margaret Jones or Stuart Keith at alpha@longtonstandrew.org
Music
After 7 years of incredible service to the church Chrissie Oakley has decided it is the right time to step back from being the chief organist and choir master. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Chrissie for her contributions to the life of the church through her skill and dedication. Chrissie has kindly offered to continue to play for some services.
We also have some other people able to join a rota of organists – thanks to Keith Henderson for playing on Sunday! However, this seems a good moment to review how we use music in our worship and to be creative in what we offer.
So please consider whether you could contribute towards this conversation and our musical offering going forward. If you would like to be involved in a meeting after Easter or to ask any questions please speak to Sam: vicar@longtonstandrew.org
Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.
Calling of St Andrew (Matthew 4:18-22)
What do you think of our updated website? Any problems or issues?
Please let us know at feedback@longtonstandrew.org
The Parish Church of Longton St Andrew,
Longton, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 5AA
Rev. Sam Crossley 07591 455610
