GOLCAR

Mr Nathan Grant from Christians against Poverty led the service on Sunday at Providence Methodist Church, Golcar. He and the congregation were welcomed by steward, Mr Ian Day. Mr Day read the lesson from Matthew chapter 25, verses 1 -46. Mr Grant talked about CAP – Christians Against Poverty. A prayer was given by Mrs Liz Bishop for CAP. Mrs Margaret Israel was the organist, coffee was served afterwards.

On Saturday from 10am until 5pm, and on Sunday September 15 from 1-4pm a half price sale of gallery stock, of pictures, paintings and mirrors will be held at Providence Methodist Church, Golcar.

LINTHWAITE

For the first meeting of the 2013 -2014 Winter season Linthwaite Methodist Church Thursday Fellowship were pleased to welcome Mr Mike Shaw as their speaker. He gave an interesting talk about characters remembered by many in his audience, entitled Colne Valley Curios. Maureen Stead was in the chair, and in her prayers remembered two members who have died during the summer – Paula Schofield and Sheila Bottomley. Jennifer Baxter played the piano and refreshments were provided by Beryl Woodward and Pauline Ellis. The Secretary Lesley Baxter invited members to the next meeting in two weeks’ time when Ian Baxter would be showing More Images of the Past. All are welcome at the meetings which start at 2.30pm at the church.

Mrs Beth Richardson led worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church with the text ‘A new broom sweeps clean.’ Adrian Calverley read selected verses from James 2 verses 1-17 in which tells that believers of Jesus should not show favouritism. The next reading from Mark 7 verses 1-37, entitled That which Defiles (unwashed), was once again split, with Ian Baxter and Beth reading various verses. Andrea Morley and Diane Loftus led the Junior Church.

MARSDEN

Mr Michael Richardson led Morning worship at The United Church, Marsden. He asked one of the children present to assist him in telling a Bible story told by Jesus. Brian Boothroyd read the first Bible reading from Isaiah and Marjorie Boothroyd read from Mark’s Gospel. Mr Richardson preached on the Gospel reading explaining how Jesus brought a new understanding of God’s way forward for people. The organist was Chris Cook. Refreshments were served in the hall afterwards by Carl and Sheila Butters.

On Saturday, September 14, The United Church Marsden is holding its Annual Craft Fair from 10am to 3pm. There will be a variety of hand crafted goods for sale with refreshments served including morning coffee, cooked lunches and afternoon tea.ce this morning together with details of the Annual Craft Fair which is to be held next Saturday.

Sung Eucharist at St Bartholomew’s was conducted by the vicar, the Rev Geoff Garside, who also preached the sermon. The lessons from Jeremiah 18 verses 1-11 and Philemon verses 1-21 were read by Carolyn Hansom. The gospel from Luke 14 verses 25-33 was read by Geoffrey Holroyd. Prayers were led by Alison Gibson. The organist was Jon Robinson. Sideswomen were Jean Pennington, Mary Horn and Joan Ladbrooke. Coffee was served by Noreen Carr, Cynthia Batley and Audrey Armitage. The children’s activities were based on Faith, Hope and Love. Today Holy Communion will be in the Lady Chapel at 9.30am. All Sunday services are now at 10am.

Heritage Open Days will be on September 14 and 15 and the church and hall will be open 10am-4pm Saturday and 11.15- 4pm on Sunday. This is a National event organised through English Heritage. Archive displays in the hall and facilities to look at births, marriages and deaths and new material from the Grave Registers. Refreshments available all day.

PARKWOOD

A drop-in lunch was held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Wednesday, organised by Freda Lloyd, assisted by ladies of the church.

Barbara Rushforth and her grand-daughter welcomed the congregation to a communion service at Parkwood Methodist church on Sunday morning. Preacher was Rev Debbie Hopkinson, bible readers John and Elaine Oldham,. Community Stewards Reene Wyatt and Audrey Holdsworth and organist was John Orton. Coffee was served after the service by Pat and Albert Battye.

SLAITHWAITE

The Methodist Bible Study Group met on Monday evening, led by Jez Hackett of Linthwaite. The group read from Mark chapter 6, Jesus gives instructions to his disciples before sending them out into the world. Maureen Weaving was in charge of the Ladies Fellowship’s first meeting after their holiday break. She spoke of New Beginnings, not only in our church but thinking of children starting new terms at new schools. Maureen then organised a games afternoon followed by tea and biscuits.

Supernumerary minister the Rev Anne Sherrett led her first service on Sunday morning which was the covenant service. After readings from Jeremiah and the Gospel of St John by Shirley Scott and Maureen Weaving, the Rev Ann asked the question What are our intentions as we prepare to renew our commitment? Holy Communion was served after which tea and biscuits enjoyed. The organist was Wendy Redfearn.

St James Parish Church Mothers Union branch leader Patricia Parkinson led a short service, then discussions with Rev Robin. Rev Robin’s guidance for our closing service in October. This was followed by other business.

At Slaithwaite Good Companions, Wendy Blackburn introduced speaker Edward Sheldrake, whose subject was “It’s not what you say, but how you say it”, giving variations on a reading and other poems and how in our local dialect we shorten words and phrases. He was thanked by Pauline Gee and the pianist was Maureen Weaving.

St James Parish Church family service and holy communion was led by Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Raymond Denton. Jenny Scholefield and Hannah Parkinson looked at the contents of the handbagsof a young person and an older person, and a box of ‘man things’ and how we could tell what kind of a person we are but that God still wants to be involved in our lives. The Holy Gospel, St Luke chapter 14 vs 25-35 “The cost of being a disciple” was read by Patricia Parkinson. The address by Rev Robin was about badgers. The children showing us symbols and their meanings. A fish, a sign that we are Christians, the butterfly the symbol of life, the anchor a sign of stability, the dove of peace, and the cross of Chris’s death and resurrection. Prayers were led by Jenny and Rev Robin celebrated the Eucharist and the blessing. The organist was Alvi Whitehead.