BIRDSEDGE
Sunday’s church service was taken by Paul Nocton, who read from Psalms, particularly from Psalm 95 – ‘Come let us sing for joy to the Lord’. The theme of the service was Coming to God. He talked to the young people about Liquorice Allsorts, likening them to people – different sizes, shapes and colours all loved by God. The service next week for Remembrance Day will be taken by the Christian Motorcyclists Association. The church has facilitated the funerals of two well know local people, Margaret Marriott and Gladys Pell, in the past two weeks.
The annual Christingle service will be held on Sunday December 1 at 6.30pm.
The village hall Lunch Club on Thursday November 14 will be serving sausage casserole followed by plum crumble. The Halloween party was very busy with parents and children.
The bonfire tonight (Tuesday) will be lit at 6.30pm followed by the fireworks at approximately 6.45pm. Entry is free and hot and cold food will be available.
A Remembrance service will take place on the Coronation Gardens to the side of the village hall, gathering at 10.30 am in the hall. Light refreshments will be served after the service.
A party for local Senior Citizens will be held in the hall on Sunday November 24 at 4pm for 4.30pm. Musical group Miscellany will be providing the entertainment. Transport can be arranged by ringing 606533.
The “Take That 2” concert on Saturday December 7 has only seven tickets remaining.
The Hospice Support Group beetle drive was won by Sam and Kev, a brilliant upgrade as they only won the low score prize at the previous Beetle night. A busy, noisy, enjoyable evening raised £64. The next Beetle Drive will be held in February next year.
CLAYTON WEST
The morning worship at the Methodist Church on Sunday was led by Stuart Merry from Skelmanthorpe, a local preacher in training. He spoke of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, who when he met Jesus realised he had been a dishonest man in taking more money than he should. His life was changed as he promised to pay back what he had stolen. These things happen in today's world, ruining the lives of many people. A reading from Isaiah was given by Rosalyn Beevers, and the story of Zacchaeus by Joan Bond. The lively worship was accompanied on the guitar by Stuart and his wife Rose. Jane Hobson was pianist and stewards were Betty Booth and Joan Bond. The gift of flowers for the communion table was from Margaret Firth. Wendy Barber served coffee and biscuits after the service. The Churches Together Holiday Club was held last Tuesday. The children enjoyed games, different activities, talks and singing. Helpers came from all the four churches.
EMLEY
The story of Zacchaeus climbing a tree to enable him to see Jesus took on a new perspective at St Michael’s Church as first Zacchaeus (David Pearson) climbed a ladder to explain how he felt about the encounter, and then Dr John Marsh took his place on the ladder to illustrate his image of tree-squatters – people who climb high to enable them to ‘see’ further but never come down to get close to Jesus, unlike Zacchaeus, who entertained Jesus as his guest. This afternoon was the All Souls Service, with a candlelit service remembering many of the departed members of the village and of the church. Hymns, words of comfort and the reading of names of loved ones was completed by the lighting of candles. The evening service was Holy Communion – a reflective service held in the Prayer Chapel.
Regular services and events continue this week, with Holy Communion at 7pm on Tuesday; Holy Communion on Wednesday at 9am followed by coffee in church; with “Tuesday @ 2” for babies, toddlers and their carers; the Youth Groups will be back to normal on Thursday, from 5pm. There is also coffee morning on Monday from 10.30a.m.
The course Moving On continues tonight (Tuesday) at 8pm in church for those who want to find out more about their faith as well as for those who are thinking about confirmation. The six-week course on rediscovering mission and re-imagining church, on Thursdays at 7.30p.m. at St Thomas’s Church, Bradley will be completed this week. Both courses have been well attended and well-received.
On Saturday morning there will be a Men’s Breakfast with good food, good company and an interesting speaker.
Next Sunday will be the Remembrance Service at 9.45am in church followed by a Memorial Service at the War Memorial – poppy wreaths will be laid in memory of the local fallen soldiers. There will be no evening service.
SHELLEY
Shelley Over 60s members held their weekly meeting in the Methodist Hall –the village hall was not available – last Thursday. The whist high of 94 was won by Gordon Burgin and Jean Jessop and the low of 64 was also shared by Linda Brauner and David Matthews from eight tables. The bingo line was won by Betty Cassinelli and the full house by Edna Glover. no one had the first three numbers on one card so the prize carried over. There were two birthdays to celebrate this week – Valerie Bore and Shirley Brook. Raffle prizes were won by Margaret Haigh, Betty Cassinelli, Iris Starling and Sylvia Deeley.
SKELMANTHORPE
Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church held their annual Autumn Fayre on Saturday raising well over £700 for Church funds. Sunday morning worship was led by Reverend David Hall and the piano played by Christine Senior. Memories were tested as all hymns were taken from the old version of the Methodist Hymn book. A detailed look at the story of Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector, was used as the theme of the service including the singing of 'Now Zacchaeus was a very little man'. A popular childrens bible song with plenty of accompanying hand actions for the 'grown ups' to recall and carry out! An Iona communion concluded the service and a retiring collection was made for the Forget me not children's hospice.
