BIRDSEDGE
Birdsedge Church: Tom Wood took the service last Sunday. He read Acts 1 v 1-8 and spoke about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives power and strength, Tom gave Gladys Aylward as an example. The Holy Spirit is simply God at work. Next weekend will be Communion, the first Sunday in Advent, at 10.30am.
The Annual Christingle Service with Hade Youth Band will be held this Sunday December 2 at 5.30pm. There will not be any tea served before the service but coffee and mince pies will be available afterwards.
The church will host a Christingle service for the school on Wednesday next week (December 5) at 9.15am.
On Sunday, December 16, there will be the Service of Carols and Readings. On December 23 there will be the normal morning worship. There will be a Family Service at the church on Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25, at 9.30am.
Birdsedge Village Hall: The Lunch Club on Thursday this week will serve braising steak with mashed potato and vegetables followed by chocolate sponge. There will be a coffee morning and lunches in the Hall on Saturday December 8 from 11 am. Thursday, December 13 is the date for the Christmas Lunch Club, booking will be necessary for non-regulars. The monthly quiz will be this Friday (November 30) at 8pm.
The December Christmas Quiz will be held on Friday, December 14. Committee members will be selling raffle tickets to help pay for the Christmas tree. The raffle will be drawn in the hall on Christmas Eve after carols round the tree starting 6.30pm. For information about events at the hall go online at: www.birdsedgevillagehall.co.uk or ring 01484-604289.
CLAYTON WEST
Morning worship at Clayton West Methodist Church was a service of Holy Communion led by the Rev Richard Thompson of Holmfirth. Maxine Lodge assisted with communion. He reminded us that as we look towards Advent we see Jesus was the son of God and came to bring us into his kingdom. Bible readings from Daniel and John were given by Wendy Barber and Jean Heath. The stewards were Betty Booth and Joan Bond, the flowers for the communion table were a gift from Kathleen Green. After the service everyone enjoyed fellowship together, with coffee and scones given and served by Jane Woodcock.
Last Tuesday the ladies fellowship was held, and Jean Heath read from some of her favourite poems. Refreshments were served afterwards.
EMLEY
The last Sunday before Advent or the celebration of Christ the King, is also known as “Stir up Sunday”, as traditionally this was the day when housewives mixed up the ingredients for their Christmas cakes. At St Michael The Archangel, ‘stir up’ were the first words of a special prayer at Sunday morning Holy Communion, which reflected Christ the King, with hymns like Jesus Is King, King Of Kings and Christ Triumphant, Ever Reigning. The congregation considered how Jesus before Pilate did not present the expected image of kingship, especially the revolutionary leader anticipated by the Messianic Jews of his day. It was also stressed that Christians need to adopt the qualities and attitudes of Equality, Generosity and Integrity if we are to be effective followers of Jesus as lord and king. There was no evening service.
Weekly events and services continue with Coffee Morning in church on Monday at 10.30am; Holy Communion on Tuesday at 7pm and on Wednesday at 9am, followed by coffee in church; “Tuesday @ 2” for babies, toddlers and their carers; Thursday evening, from 5pm youngsters meet in a variety of groups according to their ages, with worship and story time, as well as games and craft work.
Future events include: December 2: Advent Sunday - Gift Service at 10.45 am with presents and donations shared between the NSPCC and the Women’s Refuge. December 7: Emley Brass Band Concert 7.30pm. December 14 and 15: Christmas Tree Festival; December 16: Carols by Candlelight 6pm; December 20: Christmas Sing 7.30pm; December 24: Christingle Service 5.30pm; December 25: Christmas Communion 10am. February 2013 Parish Weekend in Scarborough — the biennial weekend away as a church family, with sister church, St James’ Flockton.
SHELLEY
Shelley Over 60s were back in the village hall last Thursday. The bingo line was won by Joan Horne and the full house by Marjorie Johnstone. As no-one had the first three numbers on one card the prize was carried over until next week. The whist high of 90 was won by Robin Small and the low of 66 went to Greta Hinchliffe from nine tables. There were five birthdays to celebrate this week – Greta Hinchliffe, Jenny Rose, Molly Haigh, David Heywood and Judith Crowther. Raffle prizes were won by Eunice Ramsden, Madge Shaw, Elaine Shaw, Harry Rose and Lilian Armitage.
SKELMANTHORPE
The preacher at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church last Sunday, was Mr Frank Lukey of Penistone. His theme was The Kingdom Of Heaven and he suggested that, in dealing with the kingdoms of this world we should first deal with the Kingdom of God. Anne Wadsworth was the steward, Kenneth Haigh and John Senior read passages from the Bible. Frances Priestnall was the organist. Callum Wadsworth accompanied one of the hymns on an African drum.
STOCKSMOOR
Stocksmoor Bridge Club results from Thursday November 8: North/South – 1 C Kaye and S Barrett, 2 P Turner and M Kenworthy, 3 D Cliff and M Dey; East/West –1 C and A Barnett, 2 L Tempest and P Trevenion, 3 J Pearson and W Sharman.
Thursday November 15: North/South – 1 M Dey and R Makings, 2 P Pogson and A Stephens, 3 W and A Dowlen; East/West – 1 J Shaw and E Tullie, 2 M and L Cooper, 3 M Russell and E Covell.
