GOLCAR

Sunday morning worship at Golcar Providence was the annual Covenant Service led by the Rev Pam Ward whose subject was Commitment. Janice Swallow read the lesson, and Margaret Israel was the organist.

Ann Crosland welcomed the congregation to the Worship in Today’s World service at St John’s Church and introduced a video recordIng of the New Testament reading from Matthew Chapter 2 versus 1-12. Helen Bentley gave the talk and Betty Taylor led the prayers. Sunday Club had made mobiles of the stars and magi and role-played a colourful version of the story. Ann Norton played the piano and was the organist.

LINTHWAITE

Ian Baxter led an ‘own arrangement’ morning worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church. Linda Nuttall played the organ and Peter Stead operated the audio visual equipment. The worship leaders and stewards helped to lead the service, with the prayers being read by Ali Dwyer, Jan Widdop read from Psalm 29 – The voice of the Lord in a Storm – and Doreen Liversidge read from the letter of James 5 v 1-11. Ian then spoke to the children prior to them leaving the service for Junior Church with their leaders Andrea Morley and Joanna Stead, about what toys he had as a young child and what they have now, concluding with telling them to value their toys and possessions. This theme was continued in Ian's talk to the adults which could have been entitled Global Warming / Climate Change, where he talked about the effect of greed and inconsideration and how it affected our world today.

Morning service at Christ Church was led by the Rev Jennie Honeyman who celebrated Holy Communion and gave a blessing. Ian Blakeley preached and prayed, lessons were read by Debbie Linsell-Fraser and Ann Leigh, and the organist was Rhona Jepson. In the evening an Epiphany carol service was led by Margaret McQuillan who also read a lesson and gave a blessing. Lessons were read David Cartwright, Derek Horne, Roger Fielding, Christine Hyde, Keith Fielding, David Hyde, Ann Leigh, Russell Whattam, and the organist was Derek Horne.

LONGWOOD

On the morning of The Baptism of Christ Sunday at St Mark’s Church, the sung Eucharist Family Service was led by parish priest, the Rev Canon Martyn Crompton. Music was provided by Philip Turner and his group of musicians and an augmented choir. The congregation included Sunday school with their leaders Joan Morton and Charles Ross. The usual format of power-point service sheet was operated by Mark Gregory. The opening song, Shine Jesus Shine, included clapping and additional instruments of castanets and tambourines from the youngsters. Martyn read the prayer of preparation, the confession and the absolution as well as the Collect. The entire congregation joined in singing The Gloria which was followed with the carol We Three Kings and then Caitlin lit the gospel candle and Martyn continued with the gospel reading from Matthew. For his talk Martyn explained the meaning of Baptism including the forehead being marked with the oil of chrismin a cross shape and in the case of the Anglican church the following up with Confirmation which reaffirms the Baptism in later life. Having been baptised the person concerns becomes a follower of Christ and a member of the church family. The congregation then stood and affirmed their belief in God which was followed by short intercession prayers by Martyn. Following the sharing of the Peace the next song was Walk in the Light which preceded The Lord’s Prayer sung to the tune of Kumbaya. During Communion Martyn was assisted as server by David Verlander. Just before the closing song Syahamba, Martyn gave notice about St Mark’s adopting a feature already enjoyed at St John’s church of having a Sunday of Commitment as an annual event and he hoped to have questionnaire cards available for next Sunday. The service was concluded with The Celtic Blessing while Martyn, the server and children processed to the west end of church.

MARSDEN

Morning worship at the United Church was led by Mr J Francis Horton. Bible readings were by Brian Boothroyd and Ruth and Edward Sheldrake. The organist was Chris Cook.

The Sandown Clowns, who have raised over £22,000 for the charity Challenging Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood, will be appearing at Marsden Mechanics Hall on Sunday at 2pm. Organisers promise a fast-paced professional slapstick clowning show for all the family, which includes the best of traditional clean comedy, fine balancing, juggling, stilt walking, gags, a musical car and audience participation with prizes. Tickets, available on the door 30 minutes before showtime, are all priced at £3.50 (children aged two and under free).

MILNSBRIDGE

At the Milnsbridge Christadelphian Hall on Wednesday January 5 , Mr Kevin Waterhouse led the Bible readings discussion group, on Genesis 9 and 10, Psalms 11-13 and Matthew 7. The Bible seminar on Thursday evening was led by Mr Pete Barrett. On Sunday January at 6pm, Mr Pete Barrett presided, when Mr Stephen Halstead from Blackpool spoke on Russia in Bible Prophecy.

PARKWOOD

Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Preacher was Mr David Harris, church life co-ordinator on baptism. Bible reader was Jean Johnson, organist was Kenneth Rothery, and visual aids by Joe Lloyd and Anne Ivy. Coffee was served after the service by Margaret Noble and Christine and Liam Johnson.

SLAITHWAITE

Slaithwaite Good Companions met on Thursday after the Christmas break and were welcomed by Pauline Ayre. Instead of an invited speaker, members usually provide the entertainment during January and February. This week Pauline had asked various members to talk a few minutes each about a memory. Those taking part were Pauline, Pat Parkinson, Hilda Haigh, Margaret Cook, Betty Sykes and Maureen Weaving. The topics were faith, holidays in Australia and USA, childhood, farming and the WI AGM at the Royal Albert Hall. After a very pleasant afternoon, Pauline thanked everyone taking part. She was also the pianist.

The St James Parish Church service was led by the Rev Robin Townsend, assisted by Raymond Denton. Until Lent the services will be quite different. Two hymns and prayers were followed by a DVD by J John, a minister and evangelist on the Ten Commandments. Each film will take approximately 40 minutes and this film dealt with the tenth commandment “Do Not Covet”. With the title Find Contentment it looked at the attitude of having more than we need, being grateful for what we have, will having more make us happy, and parents give your children your time together not treasure. The organist was Alvi Whitehead. After the coffee break a short service of Holy Communion was celebrated.

Mr Iain Spencer of Longwood was the preacher at the Methodist Church on Sunday. He illustrated the Love of Jesus by talking and sharing family toys that we love and can’t bear to part with. Psalm 29 was read by Maureen Weaving and Iain read from Mark’s Gospel – the story of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. The organist was Shirley Scott.