The Harvest Festival service at Golcar Provident Methodist Church was led by Judith Robinson who spoke about certain fruit and vegetables that had a connection with parts of the human body. The children brought their gifts during the singing of the first hymn. The choir sang two items and closed the service by singing a blessing. Chris Pearson was the organist and after the service a lunch was served by choir members. Come and join us at Holmfirth Parish church on Saturday, September 17, 10am-4pm, morning coffee, lunches, afternoon teas, cake stall, tombola, bric-a-brac and books.
The Rev Brenda Mitchell led the family communion and baptism service at St John’s Church and baptised Isabel Mae Briggs and Courtney Beatrice Walker who were welcomed into the church family. The gospel reading was given by Sue Whitwam and Canon Martyn Crompton gave the address. Prayers were led by Sue Starr and Ann Norton was the organist and pianist. The Sunday club had been looking at the various stages involved in the production of bread, starting with the planting of wheat seeds, and had prepared some dough to make the bread before the harvest festival service next week.
The Church annual general meeting for Golcar Baptist Church took place when Anita Ramm resigned as church secretary. Dave Howard was appointed in her place. Geoff Ramm gave the treasurer’s report and there were reports from the Tuesday Forum and the Sunday School. All the members were given the covenant declaration to peruse and be discussed at a later date. This concerns the three churches in Golcar. On Sunday the service was conducted by the Rev Chris Thompson and the organist was Chris Woodhead.
Sunday Harvest Festival Songs of Praise will be held at Scapegoat Hill Baptist Church at 6pm.
LINTHWAITE
At Christ Church Linthwaite on Saturday the Rev Jenni Honeyman married Justin Dhurmea and Michelle Turrell. Rev Jenni Honeyman led the Sunday morning service celebrating Holy Communion and gave a blessing and later baptised Jake Carter. Lessons were read by Cynthia Osborne and Margaret McQuillan. Ann Leigh preached and prayed and the organist was Derek Horne. The evening service was led by the Rev Jenni Honeyman who also read a lesson and gave a blessing. The Rev Julian Perkins also read a lesson and Margaret McQuillan preached and prayed. The organist was Rhona Jepson.
Linthwaite Methodists’ morning service was led by Rev Jo Archer-Siddall and was entitled Tree Service. The church was decorated with children’s drawings of trees and sapling trees in pots lent by the Colne Valley Tree Society (who were represented at the service). Asha Indian restaurant from Manchester Road, Linthwaite also donated a metal tree which was placed on the sanctuary table. Rev Jo involved the children in aspects of the worship beginning with leading the actions for the song You Are Everywhere. The children also assisted Rev Jo in telling the Parable of the Soil (Luke 8 v4-15), by holding containers with stones, shallow soil, weeds and good soil into which they planted conkers. The children also gave out leaves to the members of the congregation. Rev Jo celebrated Holy Communion assisted by Jenny Hill, John Morrison and Adrian Calverley. Mrs Linda Nuttall was the organist and Mr Peter Stead operated the audio visual equipment.
Linthwaite Methodist Church celebrates Harvest Festival at 10.30am on Sunday October 11 and a warm hand of welcome is extended to anyone who would like to join in.
LONGWOOD
On Saturday morning, in spite of the stormy weather, there was a big response at the Mechanics Hall to the Longwood Village Group’s monthly coffee morning. In addition, the recently refurbished downstairs area was the venue for the first Longwood Village Show. A display of home-grown vegetables, including pumpkins, flowers and handicrafts were judged and prizes presented. Some of the vegetables were later sold at the coffee morning which raised over £250 for the group.
The Sunday morning Service at St Mark’s Church, began with churchwarden Philip Turner reminding everyone that a few tickets were still available for the matinee next Saturday of the Songs from the Shows in aid of church funds, and also various meetings. Philip then welcomed guest celebrant Rev Richard Burge, Diocesan Children’s Officer. Phil then continued in his role as church organist and the service began with the choir led by the two acolytes Hannah and Emily Jones with lighted candles leading the clergy procession. Chris Jones was server and readings from Genesis and Hebrews were given by Margaret Haigh and Phyllis Kay. Following the Gospel reading Richard gave his sermon based on relationships. After inviting everyone to hold their hands out like a book he described each digit, from the left thumb to the fourth finger being the wedding ring finger. The gap between the two hands being symbolic of the Old and New Testaments and ending with the right thumb pointing upwards to show the direction to raise your hands towards Heaven. Intercession prayers were read by Judith Pearson and the young church joined the service from Sunday school with their leaders Joan Morton, Debbie Yates and Charles Ross. Richard reiterated his story about Hands for the benefit of the youngsters and The Peace then followed. Communion took place, then after a reminder that next Sunday morning would be Harvest Festival when Richard would be the guest celebrant again, the service concluded with Richard giving the Blessing.
After the Harvest Festival, next week, a buffet lunch will be held in church. An auction of surplus items will follow with proceeds in aid of our link parish of Kowak in Tanzania.
MARSDEN
Morning worship on Sunday at the United Church was led by Mr Stuart Rudd. The readers were Norman Dias and Peter Hirst. Rachael Hemingway made an appeal for this year’s Christmas shoe boxes for needy children overseas. The organist was Christine Gledhill.
Family service at 10am on Sunday at St Bartholomew’s Church was led by the Rev Geoff Clay. Reader was C Hanson, organist Simon Crooke and sidesmen E Knight, E Lingard, D Lodge and M O’Connor. There were two christenings – Ellis Franklin Kelly, son of Simone and James Kelly and Neve Lavinia Varley, daughter of Ian and Charlotte Varley. Holy Communion at 11.30am was also led by the Rev Geoff Clay.
The Operatic Society’s performance of Little Shop Of Horrors will take place in the parochial hall at 7.30pm between Tuesday and Saturday October 27-31. Tickets, priced £8, are available from Duncan’s Barbers.
Alan Whiteley of Birkdale URC will round off the present season of organ recitals at St Bartholomew’s Church when he appears on Saturday October 17 at 7.30pm. Entry is free.
MILNSBRIDGE
At the Milnsbridge Christadelphians midweek bible class Mr B Baynham from Halifax spoke on Isaac as a Type of Christ, and on Sunday evening Mr D Holden, from Halifax spoke on Exercise Daily Walk with God.
PARKWOOD
A drop in lunch was held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Wednesday. Menu was corn beef pie and mixed vegetables, autumn fruit sponge, syrup sponge, apple crumble, banana and choc chip pudding, tea or coffee. It was organised by Freda Lloyd assisted by ladies of the church. Parkwood Methodist Church organised stalls and refreshments in Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday and raised £394 for church funds.
Marion Lloyd and Barbara welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Preacher was church life co-ordinator David Harries, who christened Alfie, son of Lance and Jane Gilbert, with family and friends taking part in the service. The choir sang Jerusalem, the organist was Kenneth Rothery, visual aids were operated by Joe Lloyd and coffee was served after the service by ladies of the church.
SLAITHWAITE
Slaithwaite Good Companions met on Thursday when the speaker, Miss Connie Pearson, was introduced by Pauline Ayre. She is a retired social worker for the disabled, teaching occupational therapy and helping them to lead an active life including social occasions and holidays. She was thanked by Patricia Parkinson and Pauline Ayre was also the pianist.
At St James’ Parish church on Sunday a family service and harvest festival was led by Rev Robin Townsend. The lesson was read by Dorothy Mellor and the guest preacher was the Rev Tony McPherson, who is the Wakefield Diocesan Missioner. As it was the feast day of St Francis of Assisi that was the subject of his address. Harvest gifts were supporting CART, donating money for tree planting including fruit trees and gifts of school stationery. The pianist was Hiroko Townsend. After the coffee break a short service of Holy Communion was celebrated.
The Harvest Festival service at the Methodist Church on Sunday was led by the Rev Alan R Boyd, who offered opening words from Proverbs. The church had been decorated by Marie and the young scholars to portray the Tree Of Life. Rev Boyd asked everyone to pray for an enriching harvest for all people of the world and gave details of the work done by the Methodist Relief and Development Fund. Margaret Crowther read from Deuteronomy and from St Matthew’s Gospel and organist was Margaret Stephenson. Coffee and biscuits were served at the close of the service.
Pauline Gee was in the church for the Women’s Fellowship Group on Tuesday, giving a reading and offering prayers. She introduced Diane Smith of Marsden who spoke on The Greatness of God. Details were finalised for a visit to Shred. Birthday greetings went to Ann Walker and refreshments were enjoyed.
