St Luke's Church, Deeplish will hold a service of Holy Communion on June 21 at 10am, officiated by Revd Duke O'Baka-Toto. The service is followed by tea or coffee and a chance to chat. On Wednesday, June 24, 10am: Bible Study - This is open to anyone who would like to learn about the Bible in a friendly and informal way. Wednesday, June 24, 11am: Morning Praise service officiated by Revd Natty Gray. We look forward to welcoming regular members and anyone who would like to join our very friendly, caring congregation.
Holy Trinity Benefice of Littleborough
Last Sunday we all met at St Barnabas Church, Shore for their Patronal Festival led jointly by Revd Ian Taylor and Revd Ian Butterworth. This Sunday we will be welcoming Revd Kirsten Rutherford to help us celebrate Holy Communion at 10.15am. The service will be followed by tea, coffee and biscuits giving us all a time to chat and get to know each other and also any visitors who may be among us. As always on a Tuesday evening we meet for Bible Study and prayer at 7.30pm in the home of one of our congregation, to where everyone is welcome. We are studying the fruits of the Holy Spirit which should be evident in our lives as we learn to trust Him. If you are interested please visit our website or ask one of our congregation when you come along to our service.
As we have said before in Faith News, we have sadly reached the decision to disband our Holy Trinity Youth Theatre Workshop. We used to perform two productions each year which were very successful. One of the main reasons being that the cost of a licence for each show has reached way over £1,500. We feel sad for the children who thoroughly enjoyed being connected with the production and the confidence that they found. Due to this decision we have still many boxes of unsold costumes and it looks as if we will not be using them again. Oddly enough because these were made professionally, we have been exceptionally lucky because when we decided to dispose of some costumes we found that societies throughout the world were interested in buying some. We have sold some to societies in Germany, Italy, Norway and America, not bad for a little Church in Littleborough. Indeed our first Joseph and the first Wizard of Oz were sold to professional companies. That having been said we still have lots of costumes to sell including some military caps, so if you are interested please contact Holy Trinity Littleborough. If would like to view them with a view to buying some please get in touch.
We would like to thank Rev Graham Marshall and the Rochdale Light Orchestra for the musical evening that we had last Friday. The evening was a success and was enjoyed by all who attended. Please take this as forward planning but on the first weekend of September we will be hosting our annual Art Exhibition which will be our sixth year. The exhibition is open to artists throughout the Diocese whether amateur or semi-professional. The artwork is normally offered for sale, but not always, and there are usually some craft stalls, where the stall holder after paying to have a stall keeps their profit. We also always have a preview evening on the Friday as a Cheese and Wine evening. Tickets are on sale now as it can often prove a popular event as the exhibition is free to attend, So get your brushes out now and start preparing your artwork, even pen and ink.
St Mary's, Balderstone
Our holy communion service tomorrow starts at our usual time of 10.30am. We'll be continuing our 'The Gospel for all' sermon series in Romans. This week we have a guest preacher who'll be looking at chapter 11 verses one to 36. Doors open from 10am, children's groups included, do join us too after the service for some light snacks and refreshments. Sunday evening shared prayer gathering meets at Christ Church (Block Lane, Chadderton, OL9 7QB) this week. This meeting is a time to pray together as a group over different areas, causes and individual concerns. All welcome, if you can't come in person, you have the option of joining in via Zoom. SMUrFs, our babies and toddlers' group is each Tuesday throughout term time and begins at 1.30pm! Stay n Play is the place to be — we've got games, toys, snacks, stories, song and plenty of fun for 0–5s, plus a warm cuppa for you. In craft corner we'll be continuing to think about God as our good shepherd with a sheep-themed craft. It's just £1 for one adult with child and an extra 30p each for extra children. Midweek small groups meet on Wednesdays. They are an opportunity to share prayer and mutual support, as well as helping one another to know God better. Our daytime group meets at 10am in the church lounge and the evening group (7.30pm) meet on Zoom. This term we are looking at Samuel.
Who's coming to our family fun day this year?! (Here's hoping for a little more sunshine than last year…) You're invited! Join us on Saturday, July 4, 2pm to 4pm, for an afternoon of fun, food, and community. Expect: games and a treasure hunt, bouncy castle, ice cream in the hall and much more. There's something for everyone, and we'd love to see you there! The whole event is FREE as we consider it our gift to our community. Come hang out with neighbours and friends – it's going to be a great afternoon! All welcome, although we do ask that children are accompanied by an adult, please. Advance notice: Afternoon Tea, July 9, time tbc. If you are interested in what's going on at St M's and like to know more head to our website www.stmarysbalderstone.org.uk or please get in touch by e-mail stmarysbalderstone@gmail.com or see our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/saintmarysbalderstone/
St Chad's and St Mary in the Baum
Tomorrow, Sunday, June 21, is the Third Sunday after Trinity. At 9.15am The Eucharist, with hymns, is at St Mary's. At 11.15am Choral Eucharist is at St Chad's, with hymns, psalm and anthem. The Rev Pamela Parr is the celebrant and preacher at both services. For details of the Asian Christian Fellowship, who worship at St Chad's on Sunday afternoons, ring 07983 388169. Each Monday at St Mary's from 10am until 2pm, the Red Cross provides help for refugees. Refreshments are available and admission is free. Next Wednesday, June 24, at St Mary's from 12.30pm until 1.30pm, the Toad Lane Lunchtime Concert features Telemann Baroque Ensemble, with Alistair Roberts flute, Elaine da Costa & Sarah Snape violins, John Goodstadt viola, and Roger Bisby cello. Admission is £6. On Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2pm until 4pm, the historic Grade 2* listed St Chad's is open to visitors throughout the summer. Admission is free, but donations are most welcome, helping us to preserve Rochdale's oldest building. Each Wednesday at St Chad's from 1pm until 3pm, gardening takes place. Each Thursday, cleaning the church is from 10.30am until noon. Volunteers are extremely welcome on either day, with all equipment provided. Next Saturday, June 27, at St Chad's at noon, Saturday Midday Music features Callum Bissom, piano, with a programme which includes Chopin, Rachmaninov & Metner. Admission is £6 including light refreshments from 11.30am. The concert lasts around 50 minutes. Next Sunday, June 28, is the Fourth Sunday after Trinity. At 9.15am The Eucharist, with hymns, is at St Mary's. At 11.15am Choral Eucharist is at St Chad's, with hymns, psalm and anthem. At both services the celebrant and preacher is the Rev Pamela Parr. St Chad's on Sparrow Hill is the town's ancient Parish Church. Together with the Grade 1 listed St Mary in the Baum, we serve the community of Rochdale today and you are warmly welcome to join us. Children's activities are available during Sunday morning services and refreshments for all are provided afterwards.
St Andrew's, Dearnley
It was lovely to see everybody as usual last Sunday (June 14). If you were unable to join us our readings for this week were Exodus 19.2-8a, Romans 5.1-8 and Matthew 9.35-10.8 [9-23]. To those who may not be able to join us next Sunday, our Bible readings will be Jeremiah 20.7-13, Romans 6.1b -11 and Matthew 10.24-39. As usual this week we have our 9.30am morning prayer on Wednesday and our 10.30am said midweek Eucharist on Thursday. We have an intergenerational service held every first Sunday of the month at 9.30am. This Sunday we will have our traditional service at 9.30am. All are welcome, join us for a brew and a chat after! Our summer fair is planned for this month on June 27, we would appreciate any raffle prizes like bottles, chocolates, sweets, jams and preserves that you may like to donate. Thank you in advance! Make sure you come down and have a look around and don't miss our special musical guest 'That's All Folks'! We are also looking for new members for our 50 club, so we can restart it. If interested, please talk to Janice! We are asking people to make some poppies for a new display in November. Patterns are available in church and if any one has any spare red wool please bring it into church. This month's charity is Springhill Hospice, which is sponsored by Geoff Hurst. Please be generous in your donations. Rochdale food bank this week's most need items are UHT milk, jars of jam, coffee, snacks and instant meals, toiletries and Pet food. Please donate and help someone in need. This week I would like to leave you with Jude 1:22-23. "Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." These verses encourage us to be compassionate toward those who struggle with their faith and to take action to help guide them toward salvation while recognising the seriousness of their situation.
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