GOLCAR
Members of the Friendship Group at Golcar Providence visited Armitage’s Garden Centre at Birchencliffe. Florist Ian Lloyd demonstrated festive floral arrangements which were later auctioned for Kirkwood Hospice. A glass of wine and mince pies were available.
Sunday morning worship at Providence Church was led by Richard Hoyle. The duty steward, Sheila Pearson, lit the Advent candle and also read a lesson along with Nancy Meadows. The Junior Church children came into church and told the congregation they had been talking about Advent and what it meant. David Hollingworth was the organist.
A Carol and food fest was held in the church and community room at St John’s Church on Saturday, November 27. Arien Sound, the Just Sing choir and children from the local schools sang and played festive music. Refreshments, and a varied lunch menu were served in the community room. Stalls including cake, crafts, Christmas goodies, tombola, raffle and an activity corner for children made it a fun day for all. Proceeds were for church funds.
The first Sunday in Advert service at St John’s Church was led by the celebrant Canon Martyn Crompton who also gave the gospel reading from Matthew 24 versus 36-44 and the address. Prayers were led by Maggie Cuss and the organist was Ann Norton. Sunday Club had been talking about Advent and had made lanterns for display at their Christmas celebrations. Sunday Youth had prepared calendars with a special message for each of the four weeks preceding Christmas. In the afternoon a Come and Sing or Come and Hear Messiah was performed by an augmented choir. The soloist were Maxine Taylor, soprano; Emily Reeves, contralto; Ian Henderson, tenor; Nigel Rothery, baritone; and George Marsden was the organist. Margaret Laycock was the conductor. Afterwards Margaret presented George with a card and gift voucher in recognition of his 50th year playing the Messiah. Refreshments were then served in the community room. A Taize service in the evening was led by Kathryn Sykes and the pianist was Ann Norton.
LINTHWAITE
The first candle on the Advent ring at Linthwaite Methodist Church was lit by junior church member William Morrison. The service was led by Mr Peter Hirst who chose the theme You Also Must Be Ready Because the Son of God will Come When you Least Expect it.’ Peter spoke to the children about Christmas trees and how much of the Christian message they gave, before they went to junior church with their leaders, Ed Archer-Siddall, Paul Hill, Diane Loftus and Andrea Morley. Margaret and Henry Tennant were the readers and they read from Isaiah 2 v 1-5 (The Mountain of the Lord), and Romans 13 v 11-14 (the Day is near) and Peter read from Matthew 24 v 36-44 (The Day and Hour unknown). The organist was Linda Nuttall and Maureen Stead operated the Audio Visual equipment.
Everyone is invited to join members of Linthwaite Methodist Church at the Bulls Head, Blackmoorfoot, Linthwaite, from 6pm onwards on Saturday December 11 to sing carols.
At Christ Church the first service of Advent was led by the Rev Jenni Honeyman who celebrated Holy Communion and gave a blessing. Ian Blakeley preached and prayed. Lessons were read by Russell Wattam and Margaret McQuillan. The Advent candle was lit by Eloise Rollinson and Esme Stratton. The junior church children made an Advent wreath and the organist was Derek Horne. An Advent carol service in the evening was led by the Rev Jenni Honeyman who also gave a blessing. Lessons were read by David Hyde, Dorothy Haley, Margaret McQuillan, Roger Fielding, Russell Wattam, Derek Horn, Keith Fielding and Ann Leigh and the organist was Rhona Jepson.
LONGWOOD
Family worship – a non-Eucharistic all-ages service at St Mark’s Church on the first Sunday of Advent was led by Rev Harry Gwinnett. The music was provided by Phil Turner on his electronic keyboard. The order of the service was a power point presentation on the large screen. The Advent candle was lit by Lottie Ross to the tune of the Holly and the Ivy. Following the Collect the song Longing For Light was sung and Harry read a prayer reflecting on why we were here today. The Gospel from John was read by churchwarden David Verlander. Helen Bentley, a guest from St John’s Golcar, talked about Jesus Light of the World. Then, assisted by children from Sunday school, Lottie Ross, and Caitlin Bannerman holding aloft torches and an oil lamp, they were joined by Blake Bannerman who showed his own torch in the shape of a mouse. The talk concluded by saying that Jesus switches a light on inside us to promote his work. The next song Colours Of Day led to the Creed and intercession prayers prepared and read by Judith Pearson. The sharing of the peace followed and during the collection the congregation sang Walk In The Light, whilst the prayer basket and offerings were taken to the altar, and then returned to the west end of church. The concluding song was The Celtic Blessing and the service finished with a further blessing from Harry. An announcement was made about the result of the recent Christmas Fayre which raised almost £975 for church funds.
Forthcoming events in the village include a coffee morning at the Mechanics Hall on Saturday December 4. At Parkwood Methodist, the Christmas drop in lunch on Wednesday December 8 and community breakfast 9am until noon on Saturday December 18. At St Mark’s church on December 10 at 7.15pm, there will be a concert by Huddersfield and Ripponden Brass. Tickets, available from church members, cost £6 for adults, concessions £5 and children £3.
MARSDEN
Mr Ieuan Jones led worship at the United Church on Sunday morning. Bible readings were by Margaret Casson and Carl Butters. Marjorie Boothroyd was the organist.
A procession and Holy Communion service was held at St Bartholomew’s Church on Sunday to mark the season of Advent, when the first candle was lit. The Rev Geoff Garside officiated, assisted by licensed reader Joan Biggs. Simon Cook was organist. The lesson was read by Dennis Brook and prayers were offered by Audrey Armitage. Sidesmen were Bunny Lonnen and Brian Mitchell. Coffee was served by Joan Ladbrooke, Mary Horn and Jean Pennington.
A Taize service was held at 4pm, arranged by Simon Crook.
Tuesday services at 9.30am are continuing. Sunday’s Family Service will start at 10am and, on Sunday December 12 at 9.30am, there will be an All Age Communion and Nativity. Everyone is invited to come in costume.
The Christmas Concert in church on Saturday December 18 at 7.3pm will feature Marsden Silver Prize Band and Colne Valley Male Voice Choir. Soloist will be Diane Robinson and compère will be Peter Armitage.Tickets at £8 (children £5) are available from band, choir, church and Duncan’s Hairdresser, Warehouse Hill, Marsden. Telephone 01484-845311 (available shop hours only).
MILNSBRIDGE
At The Milnsbridge Christadelphian Hall on November 23, the Sisters Class heard from Mrs Josie Walker about her and her husband’s visit to Zambia with illustrations and also overhead projector slides. On Wednesday evening at the Bible Class Mr Paul Rose led discussion on the daily Bible readings. On Thursday evening the Bible Seminar Group met for Bible discussion and questions led by Mr Paul Rose. On Sunday, November 28, Mr Phil Evans of Nottingham tackled the vexed subject Will man Destroy the Earth? He explained that man is depleting the earth’s resources to an irreversible level but God has planned an answer which is in the Bible.
PARKWOOD
A drop in lunch was held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Wednesday. Menu – pork casserole with potato flan with cheese and onion, jam sponge, bread and butter pudding, ginger oat cake, syrup sponge, tea or coffee. It was organised by Freda Lloyd assisted by ladies of the church.
Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning, the first Sunday in Advent. Preacher was David Harris, church Life co-ordinator, assisted by John Hatton. Organist was Kenneth Rothery, visual aids were operated by Joe Lloyd. Coffee was served after the service by Mary Palmer and Freda Lloyd.
SLAITHWAITE
Slaithwaite Good Companions met on Thursday when Pauline Ayre introduced secretary Maureen Weaving, who demonstrated some lovely Christmas flower arrangements with a modern theme, giving information and answering questions. Lucky winners of the arrangements were Bessie Whitwam, Nelly Crosby, and Nina Dalton. She was thanked by Pauline who was also the pianist. Pauline Gee and Christine Lord celebrated birthdays.
St James’ Parish Church held their Christmas Tree Festival to coincide with the switch on of the village Christmas lights. Many people came to look and there were a number of lovely stalls and refreshments served throughout the afternoon. Slaithwaite Band played in church at 4pm, and then at several places in the village before the lights switch on at 5pm.
St James’ Parish Church Holy Communion service for Advent Sunday was led by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Raymond Denton. The first Advent candle was lit with young Patrick Townsend helping to do the honours. The lessons from Roman, chapter 13 was read by Raymond Denton, the Holy Gospel and address by Rev Robin. Prayers were led by Margaret Ingham and the organist was Alvi Whitehead. On Sunday, December 5 there will be a Christingle Service at 10am with the schools taking part.
The Rev Jo Archer-Siddal led worship at Slaithwaite Methodist Church on the first Advent Sunday. Barbara and Karsten Svensgaard gave the Advent reading and lit the candle. It was also the start of Angel Week. Additional readings by Sandra Dalton from Matthew’s Gospel and by Linda Hanson from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians and the Rev Jo preached from the words Prepared and United. The service included Holy Communion. Rachel Wybrew accompanied the hymn singing on the electric violin. After the service a faith lunch was enjoyed by the congregation, thanks to Sandra Dalton who had organised the meal.
