CROSLAND MOOR

Members of the Association of Christian Fellowship from St Barnabas’ Church held their monthly meeting in the parish hall. The leader Susan Tattersley opened the meeting with an inspirational poem and afterwards introduced the speaker, the Rev Jo Archer-Siddall, the Methodist Minister of Linthwaite and Slaithwaite and also, until recently Marsden. The Rev Jo spoke about her childhood in Sheffield and how she was inspired by her grandmother’s deep faith and how, from an early age, she felt drawn to the church as a vocation. After serving a two year probation she was ordained in 2010 and entertained the members with an interesting and amusing account of her experiences. The Rev Jo was thanked by Joan Ware, the raffle was won by Dorothy Nixon and the hostesses were Maureen Riley and Brenda Whittaker.

GOLCAR

Helen Davis welcome the congregation to the Worship in Today’s World Service at St John’s Church. The theme of the service was happiness. A reading from Matthew 5 verses 1-12, the Beatitudes, was given by Marion Hall. In her address Betty Taylor asked the question What makes Happiness? Maybe it is different things for different people. But as Christians we should try to follow the teachings of Jesus. Sue Bolder led the intercession prayers and Ann Norton was the pianist. Sunday Club and Sunday Youth followed the happiness theme and talked about things that made them happy, and about being kind and considerate to other people.

A Taize service in the afternoon was led by Kathryn Sykes and Ann Norton was the pianist. Afterwards refreshments were served in the church.

Mrs S Pearson welcomed Mr J Burton, who led the morning service at Providence Methodist Church. Mrs G Beevers and Mrs S. Pearson read the lesson. Miss W Ellis and Mrs S Pearson played the piano.

The men’s fellowship welcomed the friendship group to an open evening on Monday. Mr and Mrs S Culpan gave a talk and film show on their holiday on a Clipper. Mr P Booth led devotions and the men served refreshments.

LINTHWAITE

Members of Linthwaite Methodist Church Thursday Fellowship greeted the New Year with a trip down the Mekong River in S E Asia, courtesy of one of their own members. Peter Stead, who runs the AV equipment for worship each Sunday, showed 250 pictures in under one hour of a holiday he and his wife Maureen had enjoyed in 2009. With visits to Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand he showed a fascinating glimpse of life in this part of the world. Peggy MacKay was in the chair and Sheila Wilson and Margaret Moriarty were in charge of refreshments. Margaret also played the piano. The secretary also reminded members that their annual donations to the Christian African Relief Trust (CART) were now due and that Peggy MacKay would be happy to receive them.The speaker in two weeks time is the Rev Colin Vere who will speak about The Other Brother.

LONGWOOD

The Sunday morning family service for Epiphany at St Mark’s Church, was led by the Rev Harry Gwinnett. Music was provided by Phil Turner on keyboard, his music group and choir, and the service sheet was on the big screen with a power point presentation operated by Mark Gregory. The hymn Come, Now Is The Time To Worship led to Harry giving New Year greetings to those members of the congregation who were not present last week. The theme of the service was What Gifts Can I Offer To God? and described natural talents such as music, singing, and artistic interpretation. The second song We Three Kings was followed by the prayer of preparation and confession. The Gloria was sung, enhanced by descants, clapping, tambourines and maracas by the congregation. The collect was followed with the third song – Give Me Oil In My Lamp – once again enhanced by percussion instruments. Harry read the Gospel from Matthew and then continued with his talk, which included the story about a poor lady who had a disabled son. A knock on her door prompted her to send her son, complete with crutch to answer the door. He reported that the caller was a King. This continued twice more ending with three Kings at the door. This story was illustrated with a playlet, with the mother played by Angie Turner. The three Kings, all wearing crowns, were played by Grace and Rosie Turner and Caitlin Bannerman. The disabled son was played by four-year-old Blake Bannerman. The story continued with the little boy giving his crutch to the three kings as a gift, then discovering that he could walk unaided. This performance led to a round of applause and Harry concluded by reminding everyone to recognise their hidden natural talents and to share them. The Affirmation of Faith was followed with Intercession prayers prepared and read by Liz Malafronte. The service continued with The Sharing of the Peace which was followed by the song He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands. This led to the Family Eucharistic prayer where Harry was posed the question Why? several times by Rosie Turner. The Lord’s Prayer was sung to the tune Kumbaya leading to the Eucharist with sharing of the bread and wine, when Harry was assisted by Pat Jessop as server. The final songs Give Thanks and the Celtic Blessing were followed with Harry closing the service with a blessing.

MARSDEN

Morning Worship at the United Church on Sunday, was led by Mrs Sue Burton of Lepton whose theme for the service was The Baptism of Jesus. There were two Bible Readings by Peter Hirst and Marjorie Boothroyd. The organist was Chris Cook. After the service refreshments were served by Iris Galloway and Maureen Smith.

A Procession and Service of Holy Communion was held at St Bartholomew’s on Sunday to celebrate Epiphany and the Baptism of Christ. The service was conducted by the vicar, the Rev Geoff Garside. Joan Biggs, Licensed Reader, read the Gospel from Mark 1. Dennis Brook read the lessons. The prayers were offered by Alison Gibson. Margaret O’Connor and Andrew Stead assisted at Communion. Ian Hunt was the organist. The sidesmen were Pat Purcell and Jean Pennington. Coffee was served in the hall by Cynthia Batley, Noreen Carr and Audrey Armitage.

MILNSBRIDGE

At Milnsbridge Christadelphians, Kevin Charlesworth was the president at the Sunday evening Bible talk. Martyn Lawrence from Doncaster gave a power point presentation on Who are the Christadelphians?.

At the Wednesday Bible class, Jonie Barrett presided. The lecture subject was Mary The Mother Of Jesus and was given by Fateh Bhatoy. The Thursday evening Bible seminar group are studying The Book of Revelation. On Sunday January 15 at 6pm, James Walker is to give a talk on Why Did Jesus Speak To Devils? The quarterly business meeting will be held on Wednesday January 18 at 7.30pm.

PARKWOOD

Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to a covenant service at Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. The preacher was the Rev Pamela Ward assisted by Elaine Oldham, the bible readers were Christine Noble-Boyle and Sandra McSweeney. Communion stewards were Audrey Holdsworth and Renee Wyatt and the organist was Christine Walker. Coffee was served after the service by Margaret Noble and Christine Walker.

There will be a community breakfast at Parkwood Methodist Church on Saturday January 21, 9.30am until noon.

SLAITHWAITE

At Slaithwaite Good Companions on Thursday Wendy Blackburn welcomed everyone after a break of four weeks. There was a break in the rain and the wind and members were eager to be out again. A Memories session was held with a number of members taking part. Wendy spoke about drama groups and pantos she had taken part in. Maureen Weaving reminded everyone of things we used in everyday life years ago in Yorkshire speech, Hilda Haigh about her life in the mill and a special holiday as a teenager. Anne Walker about life at Pole Moor and Ainley Place. Pauline Gee about Sunday School and her tap dancing days. Pat Parkinson about the importance of books in her life and the National Celebrations of Libraries which will take place in early February. Members certainly enjoyed an amusing afternoon. Thanks were given by Pat and the pianist was Maureen weaving.

St James Parish Church Holy Communion service for Epiphany was led by the Rev Robyn Townsend assisted by Raymond Denton. The lesson from Isaiah chapter 60 – The Future Glory of Jerusalem – was read by Peter Gilbert. The Holy Gospel was from Matthew Chapter 2 verses 2-12 – Visitors from the East – and the address was by the Rev Robyn. He talked about The Three Wise Men revealing Christ to the Gentiles and the gifts of Gold for Christ the King, Frankincense as the gift for God and Myrrh the gift of The Saviour. Prayers were led by Raymond. This was followed by the Eucharist and then children of the Sunday School acted out the story of the Magi. The organist was Alvy Whitehead.

The Methodist Women’s Fellowship met on Tuesday last for their first meeting after the Christmas break. Ann Walker was in the chair and led prayers, after which he introduced the Rev Mike Smith of Marsden. His talk was centred on Haggai who was one of the minor prophets of the Old Testament. It was through Haggai that God sent messages urging his people to start rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. The Rev Mark had brought along some artifacts to illustrate his talk and Ann thanked him for once again helping towards a better understanding of the Bible. Maureen Weaving was pianist.

Sunday morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Mrs Jean Barrowclough of Crosland Moor. The call to worship was Psalm 29. The theme of her service was In the Beginning and the creation of light on the first day and how God was well pleased with what he saw. Marjorie Crowther read from Genesis 1, Jean also read from Mark’s Gospel, the Baptism of Jesus when he receives the Spirit and God’s voice saying he is well pleased with him. The service also included music from the creation. Shirley Scott was the organist.