GOLCAR

The Friendship group welcomed the congregation to Sunday service at Providence Methodist Church, Golcar. Mr Andrew Marchington led the service and Mr Ian Day was the steward. Andrew read the lessons from Isaiah 65, verses 1-9 and Galations 3, verses 23-29. Gospel reading was from Luke 8, verses 26-30. Trust in the Lord was the theme for the service. The organist was Mrs Margaret Israel. Coffee was served afterwards.

MARSDEN

A combined service of Sung Eucharist was held at St Bartholomew’s Church on Sunday when friends from the United Church were welcomed, along with Minister, the Rev Ann Sherratt, who preached the sermon about God’s care for everyone. Also welcomed were the family and friends of Charlie James Crawshaw who was baptised by the vicar, the Rev Geoff Garside. The lesson from 1 Kings 19 verses 1-15 was read by Barrie Biltcliffe and Andrew Stead read from Galatians 3 verses 23-29. The Gospel from Luke 8 verses 26-39 was read by Lay Minister Geoffrey Holroyd. David Corps gave the prayers of intercession. David Fisher led the Junior Church’s activities and discussion about Church services and how we react to them. Music was provided by Jon Robinson, organist, and Elizabeth Foden and Richard Webb. Sidespersons were Brian Mitchell, Jean Pennington and Audrey Armitage. Coffee was served by Joan Bradbury, Evelyn Laidlaw, Mabel Smithies and Glenys Ward. Service of Sung Eucharist will be held today at 9.30am in the Lady Chapel.

On Sunday July 7 cream teas will be served in the Parochial Hall from 3pm-5pm at £5 each.

MILNSBRIDGE

The Milnsbridge Christadelphians’ coffee morning reading group met on Tuesday morning, when the Bible readings for the day were read and discussed. At the Bible class on Wednesday evening, Paul Rose led the meeting. “Treasures in earthen vessels”, based on 2 Corinthians chapter 4, was the talk given by Kevin Waterhouse.

The Sunday services were taken by Pete Barrett. The speaker for the day was Trevor Radbourne from Sheffield and his subject at the evening meeting was “Events in the Middle East are leading to the return of Christ.”

Meetings planned for the coming week are as follows: Bible class on Wednesday June 26 at 7.30pm the subject will be “Ambassadors for Christ. “ On Sunday June 30 at 6pm the talk will be “Bible teaching on heaven and hell.” Visitors are welcome to come along to meetings and services.

PARKWOOD

A drop-in lunch was held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Wednesday, organised by Robin and Sheila Whitam assisted by ladies of the church.

Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to the church on Sunday morning for the communion service. The preacher was the Rev Pamela Ward, who was assisted by communion stewards Renee Wyatt, Audrey Hollingworth and Enid Coulson along with steward Sandra McSweeney. The organist was Granville Brook and coffer was served afterwards by the ladies of the church.

SLAITHWAITE

Women’s Fellowship met on Tuesday afternoon, when Pauline Gee was in the chair and she led prayers before leading the AGM. All the officials agreed to serve for a further session and Pauline offered to serve again as secretary. The group is taking a longer summer break and the next session will be September to December. It was agreed that members would continue to support the Thank you Bags for mosquito nets for baby cots in Africa. Maureen Weaving was the pianist.

The June Ecumenical service was held on Wednesday at the Methodist Church and led by the Rev Jo Archer Siddal. Further fellowship was enjoyed at a faith lunch and a bring-and-buy.

The Sunday morning service at the Methodist Church was a Songs of Praise and was led by Jennifer Twycross. The hymns had been chosen by the various church groups and members spoke briefly about the authors. Psalm 96 was read jointly. Mary Mercer read from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians and prayers of intercession by Barbara Svensgaard. Margaret Stephenson accompanied the hymns.

Colne Valley Lions held their annual summer concert at St James' Parish Church. Lion Russell Parkinson was compare and he welcomed Unity Vocies Ladies Choir from Marsden, led by Shelley Aldred. They performed a great selection of songs including White Horses, Fields of Gold and a foot-tapping Barbara Ann. The choir will be celebrating 21 years later in the year. Next came Linthwaite Band with conductor Tony Jaeger-Fozzard playing rousing marches and two sing-along selections, a euphonium solo and Matthew Brooke who played Sunshine of Your Smile, then followed other pieces and the march Sussex by the Sea. During the interval the Lions and church members served free refreshments. Russell then spoke about the great work of the Colne Valley Lions, of their fund-raising and charity work. The main beneficiary will be the Yorkshire Air Ambulance this year. He thanked Community Spirit charity shop for the sponsorship of the concert. Next came the performance of the Colne Valley Male Voice Choir, straight from their rehearsal. Conductor and choir master Thom Meredith and accompanist Philip Baxter, starting with the anthem Let All Men Sing with David Hirst the soloist. Then the moving Morte Christi (When I Survey The Wondrous Cross) with soloist Matt Huston. John Lees, the chairman, presented a long service award for 25 years to Les Stones, who said it was a privilege to sing with the choir. Matt Huston then sang Bring Him Home and Thom Meredith sand Star – both from Les Miserables. Then came the Simon and Garfunkel classic Bridge Over Troubled Waters, followed by No Arms Can Ever Hold You and, finally, The Lost Chord. The superb choir were in excellent form for the evening and all entertainers put on a wonderful evening of music, helped by the great acoustics in this beautiful church. Residents should be very proud of the musical talent in the Colne Valley and the audience is already looking forward to next year.

Slaithwaite Good Companions were entertained by Graham Barraclough, better known as Gwizz, whose talk was entitled Tricky Business. He told of how he entered the business, especially for children. He had heaps of amusing stories and had had Hilary trying to juggle, and Elma plate-spinning. There were lots of laughter at his antics and this was a real fun afternoon. He was thanked by Christine Parkin and the pianist was Maureen Weaving.

St James Parish Church Family and Holy Communion service was led by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Raymond Denton. The theme this week was "Forgiveness and Deliverance". The young people with Barbara Swift, demonstrated a cup half full or empty or overflowing. The Holy Gospel from Luke Chapter 8, verses 26-29 – "Jesus heals the man with Demons” – was read by Cynthia Hooper. The address was by Rev Robin, assisted by Alison and Matt, Arthur, Millie and Rossanna. He transposed the words Live-Evil-Vile-Live, asking for forgiveness and thank you for deliverance. The prayers were led by Jenny Scholefield and Hannah. This was followed by the Eucharist and the organist was Alvi Whitehead.