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
Regular Events
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
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.
Prayers
1st February 2026 by Paula
Malachi 3 1-5, Luke 2 22-40
Father God,
As we pray together today, help us to slow down and become aware of you.
You come to us as a refining fire and as a gentle light.
Like Simeon and Anna, open our eyes to recognise you in the ordinary moments of our lives.
Clear away the things that distract us, strengthen what is good in us, and fill us with the light of Christ.
Amen
Father,
We pray for your Church here and across the world.
Bless Sarah Mulhally, our new Archbishop of Canterbury as she begins this ministry.
Give her wisdom, courage, and a deep sense of your guiding Spirit.
We pray too for the recruitment of a new Team Rector for the Rossendale Team.
We ask you to guide all involved in the process. Help us to recognise the person you are calling, and to prepare us to welcome and work joyfully with whoever comes.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father God,
As we look beyond our own lives, our world feels heavy again this week.
We pray for the people of Ukraine, especially those affected by renewed attacks and ongoing fear.
We pray for areas where tensions are rising, and for all who live with uncertainty or conflict.
We remember the continuing humanitarian suffering in Gaza, and all places where people long for safety, dignity, and hope.
Wherever people are caught in violence, oppression, or despair, shine your light and stir us to be peacemakers.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus,
You were presented in the temple as a light for all people.
Shine in our homes, our schools, our workplaces, and in every corner of Rossendale.
Help us to carry your light into the week ahead, and to notice where you are already at work among us.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father,
You are close to all who struggle, and you hold every life in your care.
We bring to you those who are hurting today - those who are ill, anxious, lonely, or carrying heavy grief.
Pour out your peace and healing and strengthen all who care for others with patience and compassion.
We pray too for those who are waiting - waiting for answers, for treatment, for reconciliation, or simply for a sign that things will get better.
Give them courage for each day, and moments of hope that remind them they are not alone.
Father, we remember before you those who have died, and those who miss them.
Comfort those who mourn. Hold them in your eternal love,
and bring us, in your time,
to share in the joy of your kingdom.
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer
Lord Jesus,
You were brought to the temple as a light for all nations.
Send us out now with that same light in our hearts.
Where we feel tired, give us strength; where we feel uncertain, give us peace, and where we feel hopeful, deepen our joy.
Help us to wait faithfully, like Simeon and Anna, and to live justly, as the prophets call us to do.
May your light guide our steps in the days ahead and shine through us into the lives of others.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen
Today Talk from Jay
1st February 2026
Mal 3:1-5/Lk 2:22-40
CONTEXT
Malachi 3:1-5 and Luke 2:22-40 are deeply intertwined within the Christian understanding of the Bible. Malachi’s prophecy sets the stage for the coming of the Messiah, and Luke’s account of the presentation in the Temple demonstrates its fulfilment, highlighting the continuity of God’s plan for redemption and the significance of Jesus’ arrival in the Temple.
In the Old Testament the coming of the Messiah is always seen as one event. But, in the New Testament the Picture is made clearer. The Messiah is seen as a rescuer and deliverer of Israels enemies in the Old Testament. However, in the New Testament Jesus shows that the Messiah has an extended role. Yes, He will be Israels Champion and destroy all of their enemies. For that to happen the Messiah has to come to Earth first as a Human Being to deal with the ultimate Enemy Satan and Death.
The culmination of the Old Testament view of the Messiah ends when Jesus comes back for the second time to vanquish all of the enemies of Israel and the Whole World. Malachi was the last prophet in the Old Testament and then silence for 400 years. He foretells of John the Baptist, who would prepare the way of the Messiah.
Jesus is presented in the Temple and Two complete strangers recognise Him as the saviour of the world. This must have taken courage on both of their parts. To proclaim a tiny little baby to be the one who rescues the Jews and Gentiles was a bold move. So, Jesus is in the Temple, people are hearing that He is the one who will bring redemption to Mankind. A baby how can this be?
Luke 2:52 “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.” Jesus was Lord at His birth and therefore was perfect and mature in His Spirit. But His body had to grow. Jesus didn’t come out of the womb speaking Hebrew. He had to be taught how to speak, eat, crawl, walk, and everything else a normal child has to learn. It would be very interesting to know how Jesus learned of His miraculous birth. I’m sure there was revelation knowledge that emanated from His Spirit, but did His mind have to learn of His miraculous birth and nature? There was an element of faith involved in Jesus accepting who He really was.
If we know Jesus as our personal, saviour we are in the same position as Jesus was. As Jesus grew, He allowed His spirit to guide Him in the decisions He had to make and realise who He really was. We have to become aware of who we really are in Jesus. We can increase in WISDOM, STATURE and FAVOUR. We can demonstrate these in our daily lives.
Biblical Wisdom is the opposite of Human wisdom. Human wisdom seems to be the gathering of knowledge. Whereas Biblical Wisdom is using that knowledge to live our lives from God’s perspective making choices that reflect His character that allows us and those around us to flourish. In the Bible, wisdom is far more than intellectual prowess; it is the skilful application of truth to everyday life. While knowledge is having facts, wisdom is knowing what to do with them from God's outlook.
Stature in the Bible is used to describe a believer's progress toward spiritual maturity, described as the "measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" in Ephesians 4:13.
Stature can signify a person's reputation, moral integrity, and character, as seen in the life of Samuel, who grew in both physical stature and favour with God and people (1 Samuel 2:26). Those around us know what we believe and stand for.
Favour in the Bible describes favor as the "demonstrated delight" and unmerited grace of God bestowed upon individuals, often acting as a protective shield or a catalyst for divine blessing, success, and influence. It is closely tied to the Hebrew term hēn (grace/acceptance) and Greek charis, representing God's lovingkindness and approval that often leads to increased responsibility and influence rather than just ease.
We are able to increase in these three areas if we live by the spirit, we have been given the Holy Spirit when we accepted Jesus as our saviour. When we are Baptised in the Holy Spirit, a completely different experience to Salvation. We are given the power and authority to live lives that develop in these spheres. We are able to live lives that are way beyond what we could achieve in our own strength. Praise the Lord.
NOW THATS WHAT I CALL REALLY GOOD NEWS. HALLELUJAH.
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.