BROCKHOLES

Parish communion at St George’s Church was celebrated by the Rev John Barnes, who spoke about Waiting in Expectation. Kate Drake read the lesson and Elizabeth Mosley was the server. The organist was Verena Wood. The AD youth group met for a Christmas party. Val Tipling organised games and Noel Clarke played the organ for carol singing. After refreshments, Santa Claus arrived with gifts.The carol service at the Methodist Church was led by Robert Booth. Music was provided by Vintage Brass. Mince pies and coffee were served.

HEPWORTH

Monthly midweek Communion service was held in Holy Trinity Church on Wednesday morning and the celebrant was the Rev Keith Griffin.

Weekend visitors to Holy Trinity have enjoyed displays depicting The Nativity. With musical interludes and seasonal refreshments, Looks Like Christmas drew lots of people. The Rev Keith Griffin celebrated Parish Eucharist on Sunday morning when he took as his theme the lead up to the Nativity and Christmas. Prayers were led by Cheryl Roberts, the reader was Jim Selkirk and organist Jane Robertson. Next Sunday, as well as Parish Eucharist at 9.15am, there’s the Service of Lessons and Carols with Hepworth Band at 4pm, followed on Christmas Eve by the Christingle service at 3pm and Midnight Mass at 11.30pm. Christmas Morning Eucharist is at 9.15am.

HOLMBRIDGE

Midweek Holy Communion at St David’s was led by the Rev Nick Heaton when lessons were read by Ian Gold. The Monkey Business, the free lunch and the Over 60s Club met.

On Friday, the Upper Holme Valley carol service was held at St David’s when Vocal Expressions ladies’ choir and Kirklees Music School senior guitar group took part. The service was led by the Rev Steve Dixon. Friday evening prayers were led by Carolyn Burley. The church Christmas meal was at the Vineyard Restaurant. Sunday early morning communion was led by the Rev Geoff Bamford. Parish Eucharist was conducted by the Rev Nick Heaton. Lessons were read by John Parker and Dorothy Parker. Dorothy also administered the chalice. Intercessions were led by Ian Gold and organist was Eddie Purcell.On Sunday afternoon, a Christingle service was led by the Rev Nick Heaton and Ian Gold. Organist was Eddie Purcell.

HOLMFIRTH

A dramatic presentation of the Nativity, based on Luke Chapter 2, was the focus of morning worship at the Methodist Church on Sunday. A shepherd (Peter Beetlestone), angel (Andrew Denton), wise man (Keith Kitson) and innkeeper (Michael Tolson), led the large congregation through the familiar story. Each scene was enhanced by members of the Junior Church acting out their roles as angels, shepherds, kings and Mary and Joseph. These were interspersed by carols accompanied by Barbara Verity on the organ and piano. Junior Church leaders, Joan Tolson and Margaret Hinchliffe, introduced the service and Kath Beetlestone challenged everyone to think about the implications of the story for us today. Junior Church were given presents from the church and tea, coffee and mince pies were served. Early morning communion was led by Rev Laura Hardy. Next Thursday there will be a Carol Service at 11am.

HONLEY

Family communion at St Mary’s was led by the Rev John Barnes. Lucie and Richard Baker lit the third Advent candle and Chris Waind read the lesson. Intercessions were led by Angeline Baker and server was Brenda Wildman. Pat Green assisted with the chalice. Children from the Sunday Club joined the service for communion and showed pictures of angels decorated for use at the Crib Service on Christmas Eve. On Sunday afternoon, the Rev Jenny Barnes baptised Reece Richard Stuart McNamara, the son of Amy; and Lily Jade Hamilton, the daughter of Lesley Rebecca and Peter Michael. Shirley Turner read the lesson and Pat Green welcomed the babies into the family of the church. The organist was Vernon Briggs.

SCHOLES

On Sunday Andrew and Jane Cannon were the door stewards, lit the third Advent Candle and provided coffee and biscuits after the Methodist service, which was led by Paul Rand. Children of the Sunday School brilliantly performed the story of the birth of Jesus through narration, drama and song . Christine Lockwood and Tracey Quarmby was accompanist.

WILSHAW

Sunday was a busy day at St Mary's. In the morning Saskia Grace Wright was baptised by Rev Judy Kenworthy. Her parents, Jo and Andy, chose the hymns and grandad Doug Wright, read the lesson. The children helped with the talk: "Are you ready, Jesus is coming". Liz Pearson was organist and Peter Pearson sidesman. In the evening a full church enjoyed the carol service. John Shepherd was narrator for the Christmas story and Rev Judy Kenworthy led the service. Clive Pearson played the organ and the Music Group, with guests flute players, accompanied the choir. The children sang Away in a Manger and helped place the figures into the stable as the nativity scene was built up. Mince pies and mulled wine were served in Sunday School following the service.

WOOLDALE

Morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by the Rev Laura Hardy. The organist was Sue Ogden and refreshments were served afterwards.

The Carol service on Sunday took the form of nine lessons and carols. The service was opened and closed by Margaret Tinker, the readers were Margaret, Beryl, Robert, Janet, Wendy, Jenny, Myra and Margaret. Each of the readings was taken from the bible and led up to the telling of the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus. Organist was Colin Hudson. Coffee and mince pies were served and Christmas cards distributed. Services over Christmas are: Sunday at 10.30am, preacher Mr R Horn; Christmas Eve 3pm, led by Elaine Hale and December 30, 10.30am led by Janet Blackshaw