GOLCAR
The Sunday service at Golcar Baptist Church was conducted by the Rev Chris Thompson, the organist was Calinda Stockhill and the communion was served by Connie Pearson and Lewis Bamforth.
The Friendship Group meeting at Golcar Providence Methodist Church featured Walking in the Dolomites, a slide show given by Yvonne Grange. The chairman was Sheena Day and the pianist was Nancy Meadows.
The Sunday morning own-arrangement service at Golcar Providence Church was led by the Woodsome Glen singers and players. Lessons were read by Nancy Meadows and Sheila Pearson.
The parish communion service at St John’s Church was led by the vicar, the Rev Canon Martyn Crompton who was the celebrant, gave the gospel reading from John 1, 29-42 titled Jesus the Lamb of God and Jesus First Disciples and also gave the address. The Old Testament reading from Isaiah 49, 1-7 was given by Margaret Henry and Richard Lodge gave the New Testament reading from One Corinthians, 1-9. Betty Taylor led the prayers. Sunday Club and Sunday Youth had been talking about the Bible readings and the quote for the week which was “Come and See – Go and Talk”. Sunday Youth members followed this up by acting as town criers and telling the congregation in headline news the main points they had gathered from the Bible readings. Ann Norton was the organist.
LINTHWAITE
Mr Adrian Burton led worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church, and the readers were Henry Tennant who read from Psalm 40 v 1-11 David’s song of Praise, and Hilary Baxter reading 1 Corinthians v1-9. In the children’s address Mr Burton spoke about how we need the right tools to do and job, and that the tool box is like a Church and we are all the tools, which God uses. As usual the children left for Junior Church part way through the service, with their leaders Jo and Ed Archer-Siddall, Diane Loftus and Andrea Morley. Adrian’s sermon was based on the reading from Corinthians – the letter to Paul’s first Church in Corinth, Greece – and how those letters are still relevant today. Linda Nuttall was in her usual place at the organ, and Peter Stead was deftly assisted by Liam Ambler on the Audio Visual.
Morning service at Christ Church was led by the Rev Roger Nelson who preached and prayed and celebrated Holy Communion and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by David Hyde and Ann Leigh and the organist was Derek Horne. Evening service was led by Ann Leigh, who preached and prayed and gave a blessing. Lessons were read by Margaret McQuillan and the organist was Rhona Jepson.
LONGWOOD
On the second Sunday morning following the Epiphany at St Mark’s Church, the sung Eucharist was led by guest celebrant, Rev Stephen Henry. The organist was Phil Turner and a small congregation, due to inclement weather, was in attendance. Introduction and opening prayers were by Stephen. Bible readings, from Isaiah and Corinthians, were given by Pat Jessop and Dilys Eastwood. Following the collect and Gospel reading by Stephen, he gave an address which was based on a newspaper article. After the sharing of the peace by the entire congregation Communion took place where Stephen was assisted, as server, by Pat Jessop. The closing hymn was followed with Stephen giving the blessing, bringing the service to its conclusion. Announcements were made that the Sunday morning service next week will be a non-Eucharistic Family Worship at 10.30am. In the afternoon at 2.30pm there will be an Ecumenical service for the Churches Together in Lower Colne Valley including Parkwood Methodist, Milnsbridge Baptist, The Friends Society, and St Thomas’s followed by a fellowship meal.
MARSDEN
Sunday morning service was a joint one with St Bartholomew’s and United Church at the United Church. Jean Broome welcomed everyone and read the notices. Alison Fisher read the Old Testament and New Testament lessons. Ruth Sheldrake read the Gospel. Edward Sheldrake gave a talk for the children entitled Thank You. Samantha Cook gave a demonstration about what it feels like to be “left out” but said one is never “left out” with God. The address was given by Simon Crook relating to the Gospel about Jesus choosing his disciples. The organist was Marjorie Boothroyd. The sidesmen were Margaret Casson and Claire Woofenden. An enjoyable time was had afterwards when coffee and biscuits were served in the hall.
MILNSBRIDGE
At the Milnsbridge Christadelphian Hall on Wednesday January 12, Mr Kevin Charlesworth presided at the Bible class, when Mr James Walker spoke on The New Israel – a study of the outline of Matthew’s Gospel. The Bible Seminar group met on Thursday evening led by Mr Kevin Waterhouse. On Sunday at 6pm Mr Kevin Charlesworth presided and Mr Roger Eglen of Halifax gave a visual presentation entitled The Bible and the Supernatural.
PARKWOOD
A community breakfast was held on Saturday morning at Parkwood Methodist Church, organised by Anne and Graham Ivy and family, assisted by Sandra McSweeney. Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning.The preacher was the Rev Pam Ward, with a baptism service for baby Benjamin Joseph, son of Claire and David Middleton, with family and friends. Soloist was Rhianydd Booth, Bible reader was Gill Ritchie, organist Kenneth Rothery, visual aids by Joe Lloyd and Anne Ivy, refreshments were served after the service.
SLAITHWAITE
At Slaithwaite Good Companions on Thursday Patricia Parkinson welcomed everyone to this week’s meeting and she provided the entertainment with poems and articles from the church magazine. One was the story behind the hymn What a Friend we Have in Jesus written by Joseph Scrivens in 1857 and the tragedies in his life reflected in the words of the hymn. This being the tune to the weekly song but with happier words. Then came other lighter, amusing articles finishing with a short story The last Sonte. She was thanked by Bessie Whitwam. Birthdays celebrated were Margaret Cook and Mollie Lewis. The pianist was Maureen Weaving.
On Friday morning members of Slaithwaite Mother’s Union attended a special service at the Minster Church of All Saints in Dewsbury – a Eucharist to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Mother’s Union Literacy and Development Programme. The service was led by the team rector, the Rev Canon Kevin Partington. The address was given by the Bishop of Pontefract, the Rt Rev Anthony Robinson. The lesson and prayers for thanksgiving and intercession were led by Mothers’ Union members across the deanery and diocese. During the offertory hymn the special collection from each branch for the project were received by the York Mothers’ Union president Lynne Tembey and dedicated by the Bishop. Closing comments for the presentation were given by the Diocesan president Mrs Monica Dodds. Refreshments were served after and cribs from the work exhibition were on view with 120 cribs from the family collection of Libby Purves, national broadcaster in aid of the Children’s Society. These are on view until January 29.
St James’s Parish Church service was led by the Rev Robin Townsend assisted by Raymond Denton. After hymns and prayers the film this week was again J John and the ninth commandment - “Do not Lie”, titled How to Hold on to the Truth. The tongue can do so much damage, gossip, slander and slattery causes pain. Our words reveal our character, Jesus said “I come to bring truth to the world”. After the coffee break there was a short service of Holy Communion and the organist was Alvi Whitehead.
Sunday morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Mrs Christine Shaw of Longwood who was accompanied by Matt Smith, a young preacher on note who led opening prayers. The Old Testament reading from Isaiah was read by Matt and the gospel reading from John by Hilton Crowther. The theme of Christine's sermon was Jesus and John. Matt spoke of his Call to Preach and urged us all the never give up as we walk the road that leads to God. The hymns were accompanied by Rachel Wybrew.
In the absence of a speaker the Ladies Women's Fellowship enjoyed an afternoon of fun and fellowship as they reminisced about the ways they spent Christmas, relatives experiencing the floods in Australia and great grandchildren. Ann Walker led the meeting, hymns were chosen for Ladies’ Sunday and the pianist was Maureen Weaving. The group expressed thanks to Barbara and Mollie for their generous donations in lieu of Christmas cards and baking. Birthday greetings were sung for Mollie to celebrate her recent birthday.
Church members and friends met together on Tuesday evening and enjoyed watching the film Goodnight Mr Tom starring John Thaw. The evening had been arranged by Jennifer Twycross
