CHRISTMAS PAST
We take the dusty trimmings down,
The baubles in their packing lay
Then give the cards another check
To keep some, some to throw away.
It’s over, though we waited long
It came at last, the Days of Days;
Captured in rhyme, revered in song
Outpouring of our love and praise.
The Baby’s birth, the Mother’s joy,
The Wise Men’s gifts, the Shepherd’s fear
Again and yet again employ
That Blessed theme, year after year.
With minds of all the tinsel shorn
Look back, what memories remain.
Look forward – to another dawn,
And Jesus, born to us again!
DOREEN SOWDEN
| CALENDAR | |||
| 1st | SUNDAY | 10.45am | Morning Worship led by Rev Phil Chilvers |
| 8th | SUNDAY | 10.45am | Morning Worship led by our Minister and Rev Heston Groenewald, Vicar of All Hallows Church, Burley, Leeds | 12 noon | CHURCH MEETING |
| 10th | Tuesday | 12.30pm | Guild Lunch |
| 15th | SUNDAY | 10.45am | Morning Worship, including the Sacrament of Holy Communion, led by Rev Phil Chilvers |
| 22nd | SUNDAY | 9.30am | Morning Worship at Headingley Methodist Church |
| 29th | SUNDAY | 10.30am | Morning Worship led by Rev Dr Kevin Ward |
Revd. Heston Groenewald will be joining us on 8th January. He is vicar of All Hallows which hosts the Rainbow Junktion Café and which we are supporting financially during the year.
CHRISTMAS
The Gift Service raised £450 and this was shared between the Salvation Army, £250 and the Women’s Refuge, £200. The toiletries were taken to the Refuge. Both organisations were extremely grateful for the donations and the continued generosity of the church in supporting them and assured me the money would be put to good use.
A huge thank you to all who supported the Christmas party either by donating money, organising games, manning the kitchen or giving up their Sunday afternoon to bring joy to our special friends. Unfortunately only a handful of children turned up but they had a wonderful time and appreciated the church’s warm reception.
Susan Bollon
CHURCH CHARITIES
Over the next few months I am planning to hold a few “Sale” Tables on the corridor in order to give certain long held items a final chance before passing them on to the Dewsbury Road United Reformed Church Charity Shop. Norman and I have recently visited the shop, taking with us various things for them to sell there. We have also used the services of a book buying website recently and this raised some money for our Charities so we will do this again.
I am always very pleased to receive donations of goods for the table and bookcases and look forward to continuing, with your help, to offer new stock this year.
Margaret Madill
THE GUILD LUNCH
During that bitterly cold spell in December, we hosted our Christmas Lunch when we hope you felt warmly welcome in spirit if not in body. The heating fought valiantly (if rather unsuccessfully) but the new kitchen and equipment responded to demands of turkey, roast potatoes, parsnips etc. etc with ease and the washing up—if just as work intensive—was somehow simpler with the new set-up. Our thanks to all who helped serve, carry, wash, dry, give lifts, chat and generally add to the enjoyment. The only sad element was a farewell to Hans van Lemmen who joined us for lunch en route to the Hull ferry—car full of his precious bits and pieces. Hans has been coming to our lunches recently and we shall miss his company, but wishing him well in this new stage of his life living near Johanna.
Our January lunch comes early in the month, 10th January, meeting as usual at about 12.30am for lunch at 1 o’clock. All welcome—just let us know if you would like to come.
With sadness, we announce the passing of Mary Hood, much loved wife of Roderick Hood, and daughter-in-law of Pauline. The past few years have held many sad times and difficulties for all the Hood family and they have borne them with love, patience and fortitude. We hold them in our prayers, particularly Roddy and his sons, at this sorrowful time.
A Prayer for The Year Ahead
May God make your year a happy one!
Not by shielding us from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening us to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making our path easy,
But by making us sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from us,
But by taking fear from our heart;
Not by granting us unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping our face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making our life always pleasant,
But by showing us when people and their causes need us most,
and by making us anxious to be there to help.
God’s love, peace, hope and joy to us for the year ahead.
Author Unknown; Adapted by Debra Mooney
THE WAYSIDE PULPIT—WORDS FOR JANUARY
New Year – Resolution Resolve
Epiphany – Lightbulb moments
FRANCIS BYRN
Another Year Is Dawning
|
Another year is dawning, Dear Master, let it be, In working, or in waiting, Another year with Thee. Another year of mercies, Of faithfulness and grace; Another year of gladness In the shining of Thy face. Another year of progress, Another year of praise, |
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days. Another year of service, Of witness of Thy love, Another year of training For holier work above. Another year is dawning, Dear Master, let it be On earth, or else in heaven Another year for Thee. |
Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-79)