GOLCAR
Harvest Thanksgiving Service at Providence Methodist Church was led by Mrs E Bishop. The theme was Uganda Harvest. During the service a tasting quiz on food grown in Uganda was held. Mrs C Heeley and Mrs G Beevers read the lessons. The choir led by Mr M Fairless sang Now the Year. Mr D Firth was the organist. The gifts of dried food and flowers will be given to the Methodist mission in town. A Harvest Lunch was served afterwards by choir members. Thank you to all friends who supported the Macmillan Coffee Evening at Golcar Providence. This was arranged by the Church Friendship group and raised about £300.
The Worship in Today’s World service at St John’s Church, for which the theme was Honesty, was led by Margaret Laycock. Nore Beaumont gave the reading from Ephesians 4 verses 25-32. The Importance of honesty in our lives as Christians, including honesty with ourselves was discussed with the congregation. Prayers were led by Michelle Gywnett and the pianist was Ann Norton, with guitar accompaniment from Sheena Davis. Sunday Club and Sunday Youth also followed the theme of Honesty by acting the story of the Little Shepherd Boy who cried wolf too often.
Golcar Baptist Church celebrated Ladies’ Sunday on October 2, when the service was led by Noreen Haigh. Margaret Edgar gave the children’s talk, speaker was Enid Cowley and Michelle Thompson led prayers. Kayley Shaw gave the Bible readings and the collection was taken by Margaret Whitwam and Eva Watkins. Accompanist was Chris Woodhead and tea and coffee were served at the close of the service.
LINTHWAITE
Mr Peter Hirst led morning worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church when the organist was Linda Nuttall and Peter Stead operated the audio-visual equipment. Mr Hirst spoke to the young people about various evangelists, from St Paul to John Wesley, who spread the word of God. The young people then left to go to Junior Church along with their leaders Ed Archer-Siddall, Joanna Ambler and Andrea Morley. Janie Bamforth then read from Matthew 21 verses 33-46 –The Parable of the Evil Tenants. The second reading was by Janie’s mum, Nicola and was from Philippians 3 verses 4b – 14 during which Paul talks about find religion, being born again and then becoming a servant of God. The theme of Peter’s address was ‘ It is in each one of us, in our own way, to glorify God.’
At the second meeting of this session at Linthwaite Methodist Thursday Followship, the speaker was David Harris who spoke about his experience of being a Baby Boomer, having been born at the end of the Second World War. Maureen Stead was in the chair and Jenny Sutherland on the piano. The Secretary reminded members of the meeting on Thursday, when the speaker was the Rev Jo Archer-Siddall.
Linthwaite Methodist Church collected £155 in the Sunshine Bags, which was dedicated at a Circuit Service at Lindley Methodist Church on Wednesday September 28.
At Christ Church the Rev Martin Parrott was welcomed to his first service as vicar by the church wardens. He led the service, celebrated Holy Communion, preached and prayed and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by David Hynd and Margaret McQullan and the organist was Derek Horne. He led the evening service, preached and prayed and gave a blessing. Refreshments were served after both services. Next Sunday, Harvest services will take place and gifts will be received on Saturday from 9.30am in the church.
LONGWOOD
On the 15th Sunday morning after Trinity at St Mark’s Church, the Sung Eucharistic service was led by guest celebrant, the Rev Janet Sergeant, with accompaniment by Philip Turner on the organ and a small choir. Following Janet’s welcome, the hymn Immortal Invisible was sung, before prayers of penitence and forgiveness. After the absolution, the Gloria was sung, followed by the reading of the Collect, and then Bible readings, from Isaiah and Philippians were by Dorothy Heads and Judith Pearson. The hymn Fight the Good Fight was sung and then Janet read the Gospel from Matthew and followed this with her sermon based on the Gospel which included her interpretation of the story about crops and fences, which are significant in today’s world. The Affirmation of Faith was followed by Intercession prayers presented by Liz Malafronte and Sunday school with their leaders joined the sharing of the peace and remained for the rest of the service.The Lord’s Prayer was said then Janet, helped by Pat Jessop as server, who shared the bread and wine with the congregation. Before the final hymn, Love Divine, Charles Ross gave a brief explanation of the voting forms which were distributed, designed to give everyone the opportunity to have their say about the future of the Parish and Community Centre. These forms to be handed in at the Sunday Service on October 16 prior to the Third Vision and Strategy meeting for the proposed future of St. Mark’s. To conclude the service, Janet spoke to some of the Sunday school children who showed the picture they had created based on the Gospel.
Events in Longwood for October include the Autumn Fayre in the Parish and Community Centre of St. Mark’s today (Saturday) 10am until 2.30pm; Harvest Festival Family Service at St Mark’s on Sunday while a community breakfast will be held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Saturday October 15 from 9.30am until 1noon.
MARSDEN
The service at the United Church, Marsden on Sunday, was led by Joan Biggs from St Bartholomew’s Church. The theme of the service was based around The Vineyard readings. The readers were Jean Broome and Bryan Cowgill and the organist was played by Jean Cowgill. During the service, a short film was shown by Rachel Hemingway about the Samaritan's Purse shoe boxes. The United Church last year, sent 215 shoe boxes and hope to fill at least that number again by November 12.
Harvest Festival was held on Sunday at St Bartholomew’s, the theme being Water. The service was arranged by the All Age Service Group - David Corps, David Fisher and Simon Crook. David Fisher and Simon Crook gave illustrated talks about the importance of water, how much we use on a daily basis and how difficult it was for many people in other countries to obtain clean water. A collection was taken for the charity Water Aid to enable running water to be made available for villages in Africa. Atoapoka Azuna from Ghana says “With the time I save now that we have the pump close by, I weave baskets to sell. With the extra income I buy food and school uniforms.” Donations of tinned and dried goods were taken to the Mission in Huddersfield who distribute food parcels to the homeless and needy.Donald Lodge read the lesson from Matthew 25 verses 34-40. Ian Hunt was the organist. Prayers were led by the vicar, the Rev Geoff Garside. During the service he baptised Dawn Hopkins and Scarlette Joanna-Rose, the baby daughter of Barnaby and Natalie. Sidesmen were Joan Bradbury and Sharon Turner.Coffee was served in the hall by David Corps and Stuart Clark. A Service of Holy Communion was then held in the Lady Chapel. In the afternoon the vicar baptised Jack Alfie, the baby son of Jamie and Diane Ellis. A reception was held in the Parochial Hall. Services continue on Tuesdays at 9.30am.
Today, Saturday, the church will be open for Jazz Festival between 10am and 4pm and the hall will be open for refreshments. Unity Voices will be singing at 2pm in church.
Sunday will see a Service of Holy Communion at 9.30am to celebrate the Dedication of the Church. Church and Hall will be open from 11am to 4pm.
The Operatic Society are presenting the musical The Full Monty from Tuesday to Saturday October 25-29 in the Hall. Tickets £9 available from Duncan’s Hairdresser, Warehouse Hill, Marsden. tel 845311 (shop hours only)
MILNSBRIDGE
At the Milnsbridge Christadelphian’s on Saturday, a special study day was held. The theme was Preachers Of Righteousness and the speaker was David Simpson from Worcester. David gave presentations on Noah, Gideon and the apostle Paul and ended with a summary and discussion group. The day was most enjoyable and spiritually uplifting .
On Sunday evening, following a family tea, James Walker presided at the meeting , when David Simpson gave a talk on The Angels Of God. Many of the Sunday school pupils attended. Tomorrow, Sunday at 6pm there is planned a family Bible talk on “Noah - a light-hearted look at some serious lessons.”
On Tuesday evening at 7.30pm, the Sisters class met after a summer break. The president was Barbara Spencer and the visiting speaker Suzie Spencer gave a very interesting and informative talk on “ Why are there only 66 books in our Bible?” The next Sisters class is to be held on Tuesday October 18 at 7.30pm.
At the Bible class on Wednesday evening Pete Barrett presided. The speaker was Allan McEvoy from Halifax, who gave a talk on Daniel. The subject planned for the next Bible class to be held on Tuesday October 11 at 7.30pm is “Jesus – the lamb of God.” Visitors are always welcome to attend our services and classes.
PARKWOOD
A pleasant Wednesday afternoon meeting was held at Parkwood Methodist Church. Guest speaker was the Rev Pam Ward, on a holiday to Oberammergau Passion play with visual aids. In the chair was Jean Johnson, the pianist was Kenneth Rothery, refreshments by Betty Sykes and Barbara Beevers.
Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Guest preacher was Mr Paul Bussey, Bible reader was Jean Johnson, organist Kenneth Rothery and coffee was served after the service by ladies of the church.
SLAITHWAITE
At Slaithwaite Good Companions on Thursday, Pauline Ayre welcomed speaker Diana Smith,whose theme was How we are Living in Today’s World. She spoke about the prophet Habakkuk and the cruelty of the Babylonians, 700BC and asking God to put things right. Today people have withdrawn from faith and respect and responsibility, are we now living in a world without Christ? God is our rock and stability, she said. She was thanked by Pauline. Members celebrated Patricia Parkinson’s birthday and Maureen Weaving was the pianist.
St James Parish Church Harvest Festival service was led by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Raymond Denton. Grumble and Greed was the theme, and the congregation stated things they grumble about. Two readings Exodus chapter 16 vs 1-16 “The Manna and the Quails” then verses 17-33 were read by Alison Parkinson. There was a quiz on the readings with Julie, Phil and Simon answering a television type quiz. Those present were asked to give thanks and be grateful for our needs and that to want more and more can cause disaster. The prayers were led by Raymond Denton. Harvest gifts of pasta and rice were brought forward. The music was provided by Slaithwaite Band and after the coffee break a short service of Holy Communion was celebrated.
Women’s Fellowship met at Slaithwaite Methodist Church Tuesday afternoon last with Maureen Weaving in the chair. After a reading from the Friendship book, she led the group in prayers and then introduced the speaker Mrs Diane Smith, of Marsden. Maureen had chosen the hymn Oh Love That Wilt Let Me Go a hymn written by George Matheson and Diane said it was a coincidence that on a recent holiday in Scotland she had seen a plaque commemorating his life in a church they was visiting. Diane based her talk on choices and was warmly thanked by Maureen who as also the pianist. A 25th wedding anniversary card made by Pauline was signed by the group for Mary Hirst and her husband. On Wednesday four members of the Women’s Fellowship attended the Sunshine Bag Dedication Service at Lindley.
Sunday morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by the Minister, the Rev Jo Archer-Siddal. The church was decorated for the Harvest Festival and Gordon Ellis read from Matthew 13, The Parable of the Sower and the Rev Jo based her sermon on words from this reading. The hymns were accompanied by Margaret Stephenson on piano and Rachel Wybrew on violin. The gifts of dried and tinned food were sent to the Huddersfield Mission and money gifts to CART. Further fellowship was enjoyed after the service with coffee and biscuits served by the church ladies.
