Ascension Day

Thursday 14th of May is Ascension Day where we celebrate all that it means for Jesus to return to the Father. Ascencion Day also marks the beginning of a worldwide prayer movement. For the next 10 days will ask ‘Thy Kingdom Come’.

Come along to church on Thursday at 9.30am as we worship together and think about what this might mean for us. As always, on a Thursday morning the service will be followed by tea and toast together.

All our welcome at The Good Shepherd. If you’ve not visited before you can find out location here.

Ewe Grow Gardening Group Is Back!

Do you enjoy being outdoors and getting a bit of fresh air? Would you like to help look after a shared space that the whole community can enjoy? If so, The Good Shepherd’s Ewe Grow Gardening Group would love you to join us.

We meet on Friday mornings from 9.30am, and everyone is welcome.

Helping Care for Our Church Grounds

Each week, we work together to care for the church grounds and keep them looking neat, welcoming, and well‑loved. There are plenty of simple jobs to do, including:

  • Weeding
  • Mowing
  • Litter picking
  • General tidying
  • Making the grounds look more colourful and inviting

You don’t need gardening experience. You just need a willingness to help and enjoy working alongside others.

Sharing Ideas and Vision

We’re also keen to welcome people who like to dream and plan. If you have ideas about how we could use our church grounds to create a beautiful and useful space for the local community and the church, we would love to hear from you.

Whether your ideas are big or small, your input can help shape the future of this shared space.

Everyone Welcome

You don’t have to come every week, and you don’t need special tools. Just wear clothes you don’t mind getting muddy and come ready to join in. The group is friendly, relaxed, and supportive.

Come and Get Involved With Ewe Grow Gardening Group

If you’re looking for a way to give something back, enjoy being outside, or meet new people, Ewe Grow Gardening Group could be a great place to start.

Come along on a Friday morning from 9.30am and help us care for and grow something special for our community.

A Joyful Celebration of Ann’s Ministry

A Special Day of Celebration

On Sunday, our church gathered to celebrate Ann Handslip becoming Reader Emeritus, and the morning truly felt special. Joy, gratitude, and a strong sense of togetherness filled the service, as we thanked God for Ann’s ministry and looked ahead with hope.

Worship Rooted in Thanksgiving

We began with Holy Communion, placing our celebration firmly within prayer and worship. We gave thanks for Ann’s many years of faithful service and asked God to bless her as she steps into a new season. The music lifted our spirits, with songs such as City on a Hill and Do Not Be Afraid, a hymn Ann chose herself.

God’s Presence on the Journey

The Bible readings spoke clearly into the theme of the day. Isaiah reminded us that God knows us by name and walks with us through every stage of life. The story of the Road to Emmaus encouraged us to recognise Jesus as we journey together and share bread. Helen’s short talk helped us reflect on Ann’s calling and the impact of her ministry among us.

Marking a New Chapter

One of the most powerful moments came during the Reader Emeritus liturgy. Ann laid down her Reader’s scarf, marking the end of her formal role. As we prayed for her, we also celebrated the truth that God’s call continues, even as roles and responsibilities change. The blessing spoken over Ann was full of hope, encouragement, and love.

A Church Family Celebrates Together

Warmth and joy filled the whole service, showing just how much Ann means to our church. That joy continued after worship ended. Over tea and coffee, and then a generous bring and share lunch, everyone relaxed and enjoyed time together.

People brought an amazing variety of food, and there was plenty for everyone. Around the tables, conversations flowed, stories were shared, and laughter rang out. The meal became a true picture of church family life at its best.

Giving Thanks and Looking Ahead

The day gave us so much to celebrate: Ann’s ministry, God’s faithfulness, and the strength of our church community. We thank God for all that Ann has given and pray for her as she continues to walk with God in this next chapter.

It was a joyful, memorable day that many of us will treasure for a long time.

Celebrating Ann Handslip

Join us on Sunday 19 April at 11.00am for a very special service celebrating Ann Handslip taking up emeritus status and retiring from her ministry as a Reader.

Ann has served faithfully at The Good Shepherd for many years, offering committed, prayerful, and generous service to our church and wider community. This service will be an opportunity to give thanks for all that Ann has shared with us, to honour her vocation, and to mark this significant moment in her journey of faith.

During the service, we will also commission Ann for all that God has in store for her in this new season, trusting that while one chapter is closing, God continues to call and lead her in new and life‑giving ways.

The celebration will not end at the final blessing! After the service, everyone is warmly invited to stay and continue the festivities with a bring and share lunch. Please bring something to share if you are able, and come ready for fellowship, gratitude, and celebration.

Whether you have known Ann for years or are newer to our church family, we would love you to join us as we say thank you, celebrate her ministry, and pray God’s blessing over what lies ahead.

Sunday 19 April | 11.00am
The Good Shepherd, Lower House Lane, L11 2SF
Service of Holy Communion, followed by a bring and share lunch

We look forward to celebrating together.

Easter at The Good Shepherd

Easter at The Good Shepherd. This Holy Week, our church family walk together through the story at the heart of our faith, from the quiet humility of the upper room to the joy of resurrection morning…

Maundy Thursday — 2 April

We began with a shared fish supper, a simple meal that set the tone for an evening of reflection and fellowship. Our Maundy Thursday service includes the traditional washing of feet and a moving time of communion, reminding us of Jesus’ call to love one another in practical, humble ways. Join us to eat at 5pm with the service starting at 7pm.

Good Friday — 3 April

On Good Friday afternoon, we will gather for An Hour Before the Cross. Through readings, silence, and prayer, we reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and the depth of God’s love. It will be a quiet, meaningful time for everyone who comes. Join us at 2pm.

Easter Day — 5 April

Easter Sunday brings a joyful celebration as we come together for our 11am Communion service. With families, friends, and visitors, we will rejoyce in the good news of the resurrection, hope renewed, life restored, and light breaking into the world.

Easter reminds us that even in the darkest moments, God is at work bringing new life. As a church, we continue to hold onto that hope, for our community, our city, and our world. Whether you’ve been part of The Good Shepherd for years or you’re exploring faith for the first time, you are welcome here.

Looking Ahead

We’d love to see you at one of our regular Sunday services or at any of our upcoming events. There’s always space for you to worship, to ask questions, to find friendship, and to grow in faith.

Friday Flock Art Group

Are you looking for a little space in your week, a chance to slow down, be creative, and connect with God and others? Then our Friday Flock Art Group might be just what you need.

What do we do at Friday Flock?

Each week, we enjoy simple art and craft projects in a relaxed, supportive environment. No experience is necessary, just a willingness to have a go and enjoy the process. Alongside the creativity, there’s also the opportunity for prayer if you would like, making this a time not only for making but also for reflection and encouragement.

When do we meet?

We meet at The Good Shepherd on Friday mornings from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, and everyone is welcome. Come along to Friday Flock Art Group, bring a friend, and discover how creativity and community can refresh your spirit.

Read the Latest COHL Newsletter

The latest COHL Newsletter is now live! The February edition is full of encouragement, updates, and opportunities to grow together this Lent.

In this edition, Ruth Hassall invites us to step into a slower, more honest rhythm as we journey “Into the Desert,” drawing on the wisdom of the Desert Mothers and Fathers. You’ll also find news about the developing Youth & Children’s Hub, details for our upcoming Annual Meetings, and information about our next Supper & Speaker gathering.

It’s a great way to stay connected with what’s happening across Christ Our Hope Liverpool.

Join Us for Our Lent Course

This Lent we invite you to join us for a five week journey shaped by the wisdom of the Desert Mothers and Fathers. Our course begins on Wednesday 25 February at 7pm and is open to anyone who would like to explore prayer, and spiritual renewal in a deeper way.

We will be using material from Lectio 365 and 24 7 Prayer, drawing on the lives of early Christian men and women who sought God in the quiet of the wilderness. Their stories and practices continue to offer gentle guidance for following Jesus with honesty and courage in the midst of everyday life.

Each session will include space for reflection, conversation and prayer. Whether you are familiar with Lent or exploring it for the first time, you are welcome to come and learn with us.

We would love you to join us as we step into this season together.

Join Us for Ash Wednesday at The Good Shepherd

As we begin the journey toward Easter, we invite you to join us for our Ash Wednesday service on Tuesday 18 February at 7pm. This quiet and reflective service marks the start of Lent, a season of prayer, hope and renewal.

During the service there will be an opportunity to receive ashes, a simple and meaningful reminder of God’s grace at work in our lives. Whether you come every week or have not been for a while, you are welcome to share this moment with us.

We would love to see you there as we step into Lent together.

Free GCSE Maths Revision Sessions

Exams can feel overwhelming, but no young person needs to face them alone. This spring, The Good Shepherd is offering a series of free GCSE Maths Revision Sessions designed to build confidence, strengthen understanding, and create a calm space to learn alongside others.

These weekly sessions run on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7pm in the base, with access via the rear door off Good Shepherd Close. Each week focuses on a key topic that regularly appears in GCSE exams, giving students the chance to revisit tricky areas, ask questions, and practise with support.

All worksheets and pens are provided. Students should bring their own scientific calculator.

Session Plan

  • 2 February
    Proofs. Algebraic and geometric proofs, including equivalence and tangents to circles.
  • 9 February
    Histograms. Frequency density, unequal class widths, and estimating median, mean, and interquartile range.
  • 16 February
    Half term break.
  • 23 February
    Vectors. Position vectors, describing routes, vector proofs, and collinearity.
  • 2 March
    3D Trigonometry and Sine and Cosine Rule. Multi step problems, bearings, and exact values.
  • 9 March
    Quadratic Equations and Inequalities. Forming equations from context, algebraic fractions leading to quadratics, completing the square, and graphing inequalities.
  • 16 March
    Algebraic Fractions. Simplifying, solving equations with fractions, and more complex manipulation.
  • 23 March
    Conditional Probability. Tree diagrams, Venn diagrams, and multi stage events involving given that statements.
  • 30 March
    Ratio and Proportion Problem Solving. Three part ratios, linking ratios, repeated percentage changes, and multi step sharing.
  • 6 April
    Easter Monday break.
  • 13 April
    Functions. Composite and inverse functions, domains and ranges, and applying functions in context and graphs.
  • 20 April
    Circle Theorems with Algebra. Angles, tangents, equations of circles, and solving related problems.
  • 27 April
    Surds. Simplifying, rationalising, solving equations with surds, and working in exact form.
  • 4 May
    May Day Bank Holiday.
  • 11 May
    Iterative Methods, Bounds and Error Intervals. Trial and improvement, iteration, and calculating upper and lower bounds.

Who Can Come

These sessions are open to any young person preparing for their GCSE Maths exams this summer. Whether someone is aiming for a top grade or simply wants to feel more secure with the basics, they will find a supportive environment and practical help.

Why We Are Doing This

At The Good Shepherd, we care deeply about the wellbeing and future of our young people. Offering these sessions is one way we can stand alongside them, encourage them, and help them approach their exams with confidence and peace of mind.

If you know a student who would benefit, please pass the details on. Everyone is welcome.