GOLCAR
Sheila Pearson welcomed Mr Ieuan Jones who led morning worship at Providence Methodist Church, Golcar. Mr Jones preached on Hope, Wait and Watch. Sheila Pearson lit the Advent candle . The Old Testament reading was given by Bev Fox and the gospel reading was by Gwen Iredale. Junior Church scholars joined the service and told the congregation about they had been doing "preparing ". Mr Granville Brook was the organist. Fellowship continued in the schoolroom. Today, Saturday, a coffee and prayer morning will be held from 10am - 12doon. Everyone welcome.
LINTHWAITE
The first candle of the Advent ring was lit by Joseph Morrison to start morning worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church, following some short readings by the rest of his family, who were grandfather John, dad Andy, brother Frazer and cousin Abigail on the theme of Hope. The Rev Jo Archer-Siddall led the morning worship with a text of Waiting. Jo spoke about ‘how we are waiting for God to get ready, when really he is waiting for us to be ready.’ The reading from Isaiah 64 v1-12 was read by Ali Baxter, Linda Nuttall was the organist and William Morrison operated the AV. The young people returned from Junior Church, and with their leader Ed Archer-Siddall, Sam Loftus, Abigail Morrison and Joseph Morrison led the prayers of intercession.
LONGWOOD
On the first Sunday of Advent, Family Service at St Mark’s Church was led by the Rev Harry Gwinnett. Music was provided by Phil Turner and his music group and augmented choir. The service sheet was projected on the big screen, as a powerpoint system operated by Mark Gregory. The first song, Come Now Is The Time To Worship was followed by Harry explaining that the service was based on the format used for the original popular family service. The Sunday school children were present for the entire service and Lottie Ross was invited by Harry to light the Advent candle. Welcoming prayers were read by Harry with responses from the congregation, and these were followed with the Gospel hymn Give Thanks. Harry read the Gospel then Sunday school leader Joan and young Rosie Turner held a dialogue between themselves on the theme of waiting while the big screen showed a picture of a large queue of people waiting. At this point an animated video presentation illustrated Mary receiving the news that she was to be the mother of Jesus. Intercession prayers were presented by Judith Pearson. The sharing of the peace came next and then the third song What A Friend We Have In Jesus was sung during the offertory and collection. Harry and Lottie spoke the Why prayer dialogue to illustrate the meaning of Communion. The Lord’s Prayer was sung to the tune of Kumbaya. The consecrated bread and wine was given by Harry with Pat Jessop as server. Following the post communion prayer, Harry proclaimed wedding banns for the second time of asking, for Martin Louis Ballard and Victoria Anne Brook. Further announcements related to the Carol Hunt coffee morning which raised £350 for the nursing home where her husband the Rev Jim currently resides. Church funds benefited from donations of £1,100 from St Mark’s Players, and a further £1,500 from the uniformed organisations. Another £1,500 came as a result of the recent gift day. The service concluded with the singing of the Celtic Blessing followed by Harry giving the final blessing.
Longwood village news for December includes a Christmas Coffee morning at the Mechanics Hall today, Saturday, at 10am. On Friday December 9 a coach trip to Chatsworth House has been arranged and on the 17th a Community Breakfast at Parkwood Methodist Church. The Parish and Community centre is the venue, following the 10.30am service at St Mark’s, for a Christmas ‘get together’ including hot soup, mince pies and some stalls. The annual Carols by Candlelight will take place at St. Mark’s Church at 7pm on December 16 followed with mulled wine and mince pies. On Christmas Eve there will be a Christingle Service and a Midnight Service with carols at St Mark’s Church. The joint Christmas Day Morning Service this year will be held at St John’s Church Golcar at 10 am.
MARSDEN
Morning worship at the United Church on Sunday was led by members of the church. It included hymns, bible readings, role play, a solo and prayers. As it was the birthday of Phoebe Jones, a member of Junior Church, happy birthday was sung for her. The organist was Marjorie Boothroyd. The service had been prepared and was led by Jean Broome. After the service people present were invited to write the names of those they wish to be remembered at Christmas time on cards which will be displayed on a Christmas Tree of Remembrance at the Christmas Tree Festival this coming weekend and then throughout December. Coffee and tea was served afterwards by Joyce Clapperton and Margaret Kenyon.
At St Bartholomew’s Church a procession and Sung Eucharist was held on Sunday to celebrate the start of Advent, led by the vicar, the Rev Geoff Garside, assisted by licensed reader, Joan Biggs, who gave the sermon. The Gospel from Mark 13 was read by the vicar, who also offered prayers of intercession. The lessons from Isaiah 64 and 1 Corinthians chapter 1 were read by Carolyn Hansom. The organist was Ian Hunt. Sidesmen were Audrey Armitage and Jean Pennington. Coffee was served by Joan Ladbrooke, Mary Horn and Jean Pennington. Services continue on Tuesday mornings at 9.30am. Additional services in December for Advent Worship, Reading, Prayer and Singing will be held in church on Wednesday’s December 7 and 14 at 2pm. Christingle celebrations will be on Christmas Eve at 4pm and 6.30pm. Collections are for the Children’s Society. Midnight Mass will be on the 24th at 11.30pm and Christmas Day Eucharist at 9.30am.
MILNSBRIDGE
At Milnsbridge Christadelphians on Sunday Kevin Charlesworth presided. David McEvoy gave a power-point presentation looking at Forgiveness in the Bible. On Tuesday at 7.30pm the sister’s class met. The president was Pat Charlesworth and the organist Susan Hackett. The theme for the evening was Glad Tidings Of Great Joy. This was a celebration of the birth of Jesus with the singing of carols, Bible readings, poems, a short talk on Bethlehem by Pat Charlesworth and a talk by Josie Walker on The Childhood of Jesus. The evening finished with discussion and refreshments.
At the Bible class on Wednesday evening Jonie Barrett presided. Andrew Whittaker, the speaker, gave a talk on The Prophet Of Balaam.The Bible seminar group met on Thursday evening led by James Walker to continue the study of the Acts of the Apostles. On Sunday at 6pm the Sunday school will perform a play about How We Got Our English Bible. This will be followed by the prize-giving and refreshments. On Wednesday December 7 at 7.30pm the Bible class subject is Another Look at Armageddon. Visitors are most welcome to attend meetings and lectures.
PARKWOOD
A pleasant Wednesday afternoon meeting was held at Parkwood Methodist Church. Guest speaker was Marion Lloyd with a demonstration on decorating eggshells with a beautiful display. In the chair was Jean Johnson, pianist Kenneth Rothery, secretary Freda Lloyd and refreshments Betty Sykes, Nora Beaumont and Mary Rothery.
Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning, when guest preacher was Mr David Joyce. The first Advent candle was lit by Ann Ivy, the first symbols on the Christmas Tree by Jill Ritchie. The drama group was Barbara Rushforth, Freda Lloyd and Sandra McSweeney. Pianist was Kenneth Rothery. Coffee was served after the service by Sandra and Phil McSweeney.
SLAITHWAITE
Maureen Weaving was in the chair for the last Women’s Fellowship meeting and led prayers. She introduced fellow member Wendy Blackburn who had brought along a selection of poems including one of the Evening Vicar series. Birthday greetings were sung for Beryl, Pauline and Bessie and final arrangements were made for the Christmas meal. Tea was served by the rota ladies and the pianist was Linda Hansen.
On Saturday afternoon as part of the Slaithwaite Christmas Light Festival the Methodist Church held a craft and gift fair, there was also a Christmas card competition and a Christmas story telling competition. The winners of the card competition were ages 4-7, Nathaniel Burgess; Ages 8-11, Tilly Toomes; Ages 12-16, Rachel Wybrew; Adult, Pat Parkinson. The proceeds were divided between the Slaithwaite Light and Church fund and the event was organised by Wendy Blackburn and Barbara Svensgaard.
The Sunday morning service at the Methodist Church was led by the Rev Jo Archer-Siddal. The service started with the lighting of the first Advent candle and the Advent prayer by Barbara and Karsten Svensgaard. The Rev Jo asked the question How Do We See God? as she spoke about Advent being a time of expectation and hope. Betty Robshaw read from Isaiah 64, Israel’s prayer for mercy and help. Rachel Wybrew accompanied the hymns on violin. A faith lunch followed, thanks to Sanda Dalton and Hilary Turner who organised a very enjoyable meal.
