St Luke's Church, Deeplish will hold a service of Holy Communion on May 10 at 10am, officiated by Revd Natty Gray. The service is followed by tea or coffee and a chance to chat.
Midweek Services at St Luke's
Wednesday, May 13, 10am: Bible Study - This is open to anyone who would like to learn about the Bible in a friendly and informal way. Wednesday, May 13, 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
On Sunday, we had a lovely service of Holy Communion with Revd Anne Gilbert, who faithfully preached God's Word and administered the sacraments to us. Using the example of 'Footprints,' she explained that God is with us - especially through the hard times in our lives - as He carries us in His arms. He is always there for us!
This Sunday, we have Archdeacon Karen Smeeton celebrating Holy Communion with us at 10.15am. During the first half of the service the Sunday School meet. This is for all primary school children during term time only. The service is followed by tea, coffee and biscuits for a time to chat and get to know each other and also any visitors who may be among us.
On Tuesday evening we meet for Bible Study and prayer at 7.30pm in the home of one of our members, to which everyone is welcome. At the moment we are studying verses which tell us about Heaven, our final home! If you are interested, please visit our website or ask one of our congregation when you come along to our service.
Youth Theatre Workshop Disbanded
After 14 years, we have sadly made the decision to disband our Holy Trinity Youth Theatre Workshop. We used to perform two productions each year, which were very successful. Many thanks should rightly go to all those people who helped with the preparation of the shows and the converting of the Church into a theatre. One of the main reasons was the cost of a licence for each show that 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 now have so many boxes of costumes and it looks like 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. 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.
St Mary's, Balderstone
This morning, join us from 10am until noon for our monthly coffee morning, in the parish room. It's a simple, welcoming space where anyone and everyone can drop in, enjoy a free cuppa (tea, coffee, or hot chocolate), and connect with others. Whether you're new or a regular, it's a great place to slow down, chat, and feel at home.
Tomorrow: our morning service begins at 10.30am. We'll be continuing our sermon series in Romans looking at Chapter 8:18–27. Doors open from 10am, children's groups included. Do join us too after the service for some light snacks and refreshments.
Prayer Gathering and SMUrFs
Our shared prayer gathering tomorrow evening meets at St Saviour's. St Saviour's Church is on Bishopsgate St, off Denton Lane, Chadderton, OL9 9BF. 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 (St Mary's Under Fives) meets on Tuesday afternoon 1.30pm to 3pm in the parish room. There is a small charge of £1 for one adult with one child and an extra 30p each for extra children. It's a fun session with play, craft and music for under fives.
Midweek Small Groups
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.
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
Today, Saturday, May 9, at noon, the St Chad's Midday Concert (until 12.50pm) features organist Logan Ferris (Manchester University), with a varied programme of music. Admission, £6, includes light refreshments from 11.30pm. Tomorrow, Sunday, May 10, is the Sixth Sunday of Easter. At 9.15am The Eucharist, with hymns, is at St Mary's. At 11.15am Choral Matins is at St Chad's, with hymns, psalm and anthem. The Area Dean, the Rev Anne Gilbert, leads both services.
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, May 13, at St Chad's from 10am until noon, the Friends Together Bereavement Support Group meets. Light refreshments are provided, admission is free and everyone is welcome. Next Wednesday, May 13, at St Mary's from 12.30pm until 1.30pm, the Toad Lane Lunchtime Concert features Students from Chetham's School of Music. Admission is £6.
Each Wednesday at St Chad's from 1pm until 3pm, Gardening takes place and volunteers are most welcome. Next Thursday, May 14, is Ascension Day. At St Chad's, Holy Communion is at 10am. The celebrant is the Rev Pamela Parr.
Each Thursday at St Chad's from 10.30am until noon, everyone is welcome to assist with cleaning the church. Cleaning materials are provided.
Next Sunday, May 17, is the Seventh Sunday of Easter. 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 Annual Parochial Church Meeting follows the service at around 12.30pm. Please try to attend. 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. 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 both 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 last Sunday for our first Monthly Intergenerational service. We had a modern Holy Communion service which has been created for all, both young and old. The children got involved with the congregation finding the 'I am' saying of Jesus, which were found in the hymn books.
The talk focused on the 'I am the Way, The Truth and the Life'. We sang some great hymns suitable for all. Everyone enjoyed the service and the plan is to have this intergenerational service on the first Sunday of every month. Anyone welcome. If you were unable to join us our readings for this week were Acts 7.55-end, 1 Peter 2.2-10 and John 14. 1-14. To those who may not be able to join us next Sunday, our Bible readings will be Acts 17. 22-31, 1 Peter 3. 13-end and John 14. 15-21.
As usual this week, we have our 9.30am morning prayer on Wednesday and our 10.30am said midweek Eucharist on Thursday. We also have our Sunday morning service which is at 9.30am this week. Come and join us, everyone is welcome and light refreshments are available after. The prayer group with Mike and Mag will be restarting soon.
Christian Aid Coffee Morning
There is a Christian Aid coffee morning very soon on Saturday, May 9, 10.30am - 12.30pm in the parish room. There will be cakes! So if you're reading this before then, please come join us! 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.
The electoral roll for this year has now closed. Do you feel called to lead worship and preach? If so you could become our next Lay Reader. No age limit, as there is a training pathway tailored to those who are 70 or above. The training takes two years with licensing happening at the end of the first year of study. If you're interested please speak with Rev Rachel.
This month our chosen charity is Christian Aid, sponsored by Revd Roger and Jo Hill. Please be generous. This week I am leaving you with Romans 1:16. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." The Apostle Paul reminds us that the gospel is not just a mere religious doctrine, but is the very power of God that brings salvation to all who believe, regardless of their background or ethnicity.
If you would like to submit your news for inclusion on InYourArea and in the Rochdale Observer print edition, please email info@inyouarea.co.uk. Please note the deadline for submissions for inclusion in the newspaper of the same week is now 4pm each Wednesday.
