News and views from the Colne Valley

Apr 27 2009 By Express and Chronicle

GOLCAR

The Rev Martyn Crompton welcomed the congregation and led the Parish communion service at St John’s Church. Readings were given by Sue Boulder and Richard Lodge. Layreader Helen Bentley gave the gospel reading from John, chapter 20 "Jesus Appears to his Disciples" on which Helen based her sermon. Prayers were led by Jeremy Cuss. Sunday Club and Sunday Youth had made pictures with opening doors of the disciples in the upper room. Ann Norton was organist.

The Ladies’ Bright Hour at Providence Methodist was led by Mrs Barbara Hallas, who spoke on various high lights of the Easter story. The pianist for devotions was Mrs Nancy Meadows. Tea and hot cross buns were served after the meeting and each member received a chocolate filled cream egg. On Sunday morning at Providence Methodist the service was led by Andrew Marchington, a lesson was read by Mrs Janice Swallow and the organist was Mr David Hollingworth.

At Golcar Baptist Church on Sunday the Rev Chris Thompson conducted the service and the pianist was Chris Woodhead. The service included communion and the servers were Connie Pearson and Dave Howard.

LINTHWAITE

The Service on Sunday morning at Linthwaite Methodist Church, was led by the Rev Peter Bedford from Gledholt, and the theme was Doubting Thomas. Mr John Hill read a lesson. The Sunday School children sang a song they learnt at the Good Friday Holiday Club. The organist was Mrs Linda Nuttall.

Members of the Methodist church and other helpers spent Saturday morning working on maintaining the cemetery and surround areas. The next workday will be held next Saturday from 9:30 to12noon, and anyone who can spare an hour or two will be welcome to help with the maintenance of the flower beds, grass cutting and hedge trimming. Just turn up on the day.

Linthwaite Methodist Sunday School anniversary will be held on Sunday May 10 at 10:30am and will be led by the Sunday school teachers and children.

LONGWOOD

Before introducing guest celebrant Dean Henry Stapleton, at St Mark’s Church, Deputy Warden, Judith Pearson, on the advice of West Yorkshire Police, warned the congregation to be aware of a scam being carried out locally by an Eastern European unkempt man who was knocking on doors requesting money because his car was broken. Judith advised parishioners to contact police if approached. Dean Henry welcomed the congregation and led the sung Eucharist for Low Sunday morning, assisted by Chris Jones. Guest organist was Ian Greenhalgh.The choir processed for the opening hymn and Bible readings were by Pat Jessop and Dorothy Heads. For his sermon, Henry compared modern newspapers and their differing ideas about news items with the different interpretations of Bible stories by various disciples when writing the Gospels. Henry continued with information he had researched regarding Bishop Azariah who is featured on one of the stained glass windows in this church. He was the first Bishop of the Anglican Church in Pakistan and has possible connections to a former vicar of Huddersfield Parish church called Venn, who was also a missionary. Following The Creed, intercession prayers were presented by Judith Pearson. The young church joined the service for The Peace then after Communion Dean Henry closed the service with a Blessing. Tea, Coffee and squash were served by Jane Venables with proceeds for the bell ringers.