BIRDSEDGE
The Luncheon Club had a busy lunch time – the meat and potato pie must have been a welcome change from turkey. Next time, on January 12, the meal will comprise sausage, Yorkshire pudding and vegetables followed by ginger pudding and custard.
The village hall Christmas tree raffle, having made a big contribution to the cost of the tree, was drawn after the carol singing. All prizes have been claimed.
A good time was had by the many people at the New Year party.
There will be a coffee morning in the Hall on Saturday January 14 with bacon and sausage sandwiches available for lunch.
The hospice support group is pleased to announce that £2,758.72 has been raised this year. A big thank you and Happy New Year to all the supporters and helpers. The total raised in the 10 years of the group’s history is £31,116.71. The next fund raiser will be a coffee morning and lunches event, to be held at the Church on Saturday February 11.
Tom Wood took the communion service. He spoke on 1 Corinthians 13 – ‘Love is’ and 1 John 4 verses 7-21 ‘God’s love and ours’. At the beginning of a New Year we start with a clean page in the diary. What will you look back on at the end of the year? Will you have made a step forward into God’s wishes that we love one another as God loves us? The next service will be a Family Worship service.
SKELMANTHORPE
The Christmas Day worship at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church was led by Rev Gordon Unsworth. The Advent candle ring was lit by Anne and Callum Wadsworth. Mr Unsworth mingled with the congregation, which included several children and members from Emley Methodist Church, when they showed gifts to each other which they had received from Santa. During the service the Posada figures of Mary and Joseph were received into church and placed into the full Nativity with the baby Jesus. The Preacher’s choice for the offering was the Forget Me Not Trust. The organist was Bernard Jaggar.
On News Year’s Day a joint service of the three churches in Skelmanthorpe was held at the Methodist Church, along with members of St Aidan’s and The Wesleyan Reform Churches. This was the annual Covenant service when members of the churches renewed their vows as Christian people and to make a commitment for the year ahead. The service was led by Rev David Priestnall and Rev Philip Reynolds assisted with Holy Communion. In his sermon, the Rev Phillip talked about the Covenance. Bible lessons were read by Celia Pickles, Bessie Blackburn and Carole Senior. The music group accompanied one of the hymns and the organist was Jonathan Woodcock. Refreshments were served after the service by John and Christine Senior.
