About Us
We are now part of the Rossendale Team of nine parishes forming a Mission Community within the Bury and Rossendale Deanery
St Mary's remains Biblically orthodox in its Christian faith (as defined in the '39 Articles of Faith and the historic formularies of the Church of England). Jesus is Lord of every area of our shared and private lives.
We're all on a journey of repentance and transformation, it would be great to share with you on the same journey
Our Vision
Our vision is:
"To reveal Jesus as we love God and serve others in the power of His Spirit."
Our Purpose
To enjoy fellowship as we worship in Spirit and Truth, grow in discipleship, develop in ministry and deploy in mission
Prayer Request Form
Please submit your prayer requests by completing the box below and clicking Send Prayer Request
Notices
Renew
Monday 11th March 2024
WHAT'S ON
Morning Services
Sunday 11:00AM
Sunday school for children during part of the service
Family Service
1st Sunday of month
Suitable for the whole family to join in or with Sunday school for children
Holy Communion
2nd and 4th Sunday of month
Sunday school for children during part of the service
Morning Prayer
3rd Sunday of month
Tiddlers
Mondays 1pm to 2:30pm
For babies and pre-school-age children (during term-time).
Restarts Monday January 22nd 2024, then every Monday
Mothers' Union
3rd Monday of month 7:30pm
Group for anyone, ladies or men who are interested in the cultivation of family life
Soup and a Sandwich
2nd Wednesday of month 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Free soup and a sandwich lunch, open to everyone
House Groups/Bible Study
We currently have two groups, please contact church for more details
On-line Service
Church Services
All service Readings and Prayers will be posted here and on our Facebook page. We are keeping this under regular review. Please take care and stay safe.
Prayers
21st April 2024 by Anne
Be still for the presence of the Lord the Holy one is here.
Father, when you made the world and all that is in it, you saw that it was good, and that your love had made all things good and useful.
Then you gave free will, to choose to do good or not. In our minds eyes can we look again in that stable, when Jesus was born and see Father God looking down just like a new dad and touching His face....
can you see the love and power of God, ...yet knowing what was to come.
Lord these past weeks we have seen many parents and friends weeping on our TVs because people are using their free will to cause havoc throughout the world.
Wars all over the place, Wars of will in our schools, on the streets and Wars of will in government and church leaders. No one is exempt.
Father you alone have power, please will you give us the will to do what is right even when it's hard, for the good of your name.
We have seen the images of the soldiers on the Dunkirk beaches and are reminded of the sacrifice that our service personnel did, and are still doing to help bring peace.
Protect them, Lord.
We pray for Charles our King, Catherine Princess of Wales and all who are undergoing treatment of any kind, asking Lord, wisdom for doctors and healing of body, mind and spirit and a real sense of peace.
Jesus, you touched people with healing and gave sight to the blind.
Open our eyes of understanding as we read your word so that we gain comfort and encouragement to keep our eyes fixed on You. The one who holds the key to the unknown.
We ask your blessing on all who are mourning the loss of a loved one and in a moment of quiet we name the families we know before The Lord.
Lord when we don't know where to turn, give us the strength to reach out to you, the one who can and will satisfy.
We remember the needs of our town as we approach the local elections.
Please convict all putting themselves forward for office to be men and women of moral and ethical principles, that our area will be places were council meetings will be good and wholesome places.
Lord, we ask this for all political meetings throughout our land.
The general Synod of the Church of England have important meetings in the coming months. We ask Lord Jesus that all Bishops, Clergy and lay people will seek your face and be guided by biblical teaching. That they will hold fast to the inspired word of God, that we may be led in your ways.
We ask all these prayers in and through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Worship Songs/Service
Today Talk from Jay
21st April 2024
Context
Jesus shows us what Love really is, it is to put the lives of our brothers and sisters before our own.
John 10: - Let me take you another Scripture before we continue. Luke 18:18-30 (Matt 19:16-29, Mk 10:17-30) This is the passage were the Rich Young Ruler calls Jesus “Good Teacher.” Jesus replies hold on a moment there is only one who is Good; that is God.
So, if Jesus is saying there is only One who is Good, and that is God. Surely, we have to look again at the passage we are reading in John; Jesus is describing Himself as The Good Shepherd, so Jesus is saying in Luke that He is the God Teacher. Then surely, He is describing Himself as the God Shepherd in John.
Jesus as the Good (God) Shepherd could have picked the finest Lamb from the Flock and offered that as a Sacrifice to the Father. However, it would not have been acceptable, so rather than allowing the Flock to wallow in doing its own thing (Sin). Jesus The Good (God) Shepherd gives His own life as the Sacrifice, so the Flock can choose to have a relationship with the Father.
Jesus is still Our Good (God) Shepherd today. Jesus (God) tells us that no matter what and He means NO MATTER WHAT He will always be our Good (God) Shepherd. Jesus is still Our Good (God) Shepherd today.
As new Covenant People the Holy Spirit tends to us as the flock. As a Shepherd in the natural keeps the flock Safe, Feeds, Nourishes, and ensures that they are satisfied. This is actually how the Holy Spirit looks after us the Flock of the Good (God) Shepherd.
We have been given the Gifts and Fruit of Spirit to be able to live the life Our Father desires us to live.
1 Jn: - John is writing this letter to believers in the Churches in Asia Minor. (Türkiye)
False Teachers have infiltrated and are instructing that Salvation can only be attained through special knowledge. These false teachers are known as Gnostics and everything material is evil, and it didn’t matter what you did with your soul and body. You could do whatever you wanted; it was the Special Knowledge that mattered.
John brings His readers back to what is the most important thing in life. That is Love! John is reminding His readers what True Love really is? Jesus laid down His Life for the whole of creation. John is refreshing our memory that we too are to put the lives of our Brothers and Sisters before our own.
As followers of Jesus, we need to have language that is as Salt. Jesus instructs us to be like salt in Matt 5:13. When we speak to those around us whether they are Our Christian Brothers and Sisters or those who are not. We MUST be a positive agent to them, we may be the only person who is able to introduce them to Our Lord.
However, our words MUST have actions that confirm what we are saying. James 2:18 tells us that Our Faith is only effective with Works (Actions). As we interact with those around us, we obviously need to speak with them, but we need to back up our words with our actions. It’s also the other way round, if we just show action and don’t tell them about Our Saviour Lord Jesus Christ, then we are doing those around us a disservice.
But don’t panic Eph 4:13 tells us that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. If we allow the Love of the God to guide us through the Holy Spirit. We will be able to not only Speak to those around us, but to show them what Our Father has done for us through Jesus His Son.
Jesus showed us by His example that we are supposed to live lives that are a reflection of who He is. If we try to do it in own strength, then we will fall short. But as Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit, so can we. The results should be just like Jesus produced. NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL REALLY GOOD NEWS.
Communion Reflection
This is a short Communion Reflection that you can join at any time. There is a quiet period within it that you can pause if you want a longer period of reflection
Safe Guarding Policy
At St Mary’s, Rawtenstall we work hard to maintain a safe environment for all. We are committed to implementing the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policies and good practice guidance.
If you have any concerns or enquiries regarding safeguarding, please contact our safeguarding officer.
- Parish Safeguarding Officer: Vicky Rhodes
- Phone: 01254 389589
A hard copy of the ‘Manchester Diocese Safeguarding Handbook’ and the ‘Church of England – Parish Safeguarding Handbook’ are available for inspection in the vestry at St Mary’s.
The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is Abbey Clephane-Wilson, she can be contacted at
- Email: safeguarding@manchester.anglican.org
- Phone: 0161 828 1465
- Mobile: 07384 460958
Out of Hours Support
The Diocese of Manchester partners with thirtyone:eight and you can access their Safeguarding Helpline if the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is unavailable. Thirtyone:eight can be contacted on 0303 003 1111.
This also includes any safeguarding queries outside of office hours on weekdays and weekends. An Information Sharing Agreement between the two organisations will allow the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser to receive a copy of the advice thirtyone:eight may offer the caller.
In the case of an emergency
If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Service. Lancashire County Council on 0300 123 6720 or outside of working hours 0300 123 6722
Helplines
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours).
- Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours).
- Parent Line: 0808 800 2222
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours).
- Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours).
- Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (freephone Monday to Friday 9-5pm)
Facts
Some interesting facts about St Mary's Rawtenstall
Year Opened
Average Congregation
Downstairs Capacity
Electoral Roll (2020)
Activities
- All
- Adults
- Scouts
- Guides
Mothers Union
3rd Monday, 7:30pm
Rainbows
Monday, 5:30pm
Ladies Fellowship
Alt. Wednesday, 2:00pm
Beavers
Wednesday, 6:15pm
Brownies
Monday, 6:30pm
Mens Breakfast
1st Saturday, 8:15am
Cubs
Tuesday, 7:00pm
Scouts
Thursday, 7:30pm
Guides
Monday, 7:30pm
Our Churches/Friends
Team
Meet the team of people at St Mary's who keep the building functioning, but the real church is not the building but the people who use the building.
Revd Samuel Hameem
Team Vicar in the Rossendale TeamRevd Samuel Hameem
Julie Barratt
Associate MinisterJulie Barratt
Pete Terry
Church WardenPete Terry
Jean Lang
Church WardenJean Lang
Nick and Suzanne
Childrens WorkSuzanne & Nick
Contact Us
Please contact us if you need any further information, or clarification of services/times. We will try and get back to you as soon as possible.