PLEASE PRAY that as the excitement of Christmas and New Year is now behind us, and the ‘January blues’ begin to set in, that we would
continue to keep Jesus as our daily focus and that the passion we have for Him stays alive throughout the year.

READ THE GOOD NEWS – Matthew 2:1-12 as the Magi followed the star to find Jesus, endured the long journey and challenges, bringing Him gifts, let us too do all it takes to follow Jesus with all our hearts.

PRAYER AND WORSHIP IN THE COMING WEEK

Monday 7th January
9.30am – Morning Prayer, Christ Church

Tuesday 8th January
9.30am – Morning Prayer, St Mary’s

Wednesday 9th January
9.00am – BCP Holy Communion, St Bartholomew’s
10.00am – Meltham Churches Together Prayers for the Community, St Bartholomew’s

NEXT SUNDAY 13thJANUARY
St Bartholomew’s, 9.00am – Holy Communion
Meltham Churches Together Covenant Service, 10.30am – Methodist Church
St James’ 4.30pm – 5 Alive

Please note: The Covenant service is replacing our regular worship in other congregations on this occasion. We would like to encourage you to
attend and mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and rededicate ourselves as followers of Christ for the coming year.

OTHER INSERTS FOR YOUR DIARY:
Saturday 12th January – Winter Warmer
Come and join us for Pies, Peas & Pudding followed by Tea & Coffee at Christ Church, Helme, 12.00 – 2.00pm.
Tickets £8 per person, are available from Janet – 01484 851424 or Irene – 01484 664163

Monday 21st January – Meltham Churches Together Meeting
7.30pm at Meltham Methodist Church

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Please send all weekly news entries to Amelia at parishofchristtheking@gmail.com

Catch up with all the latest across the #Meltham Parish in the January magazine – read it online here:

Happy New Year to you all.

PLEASE PRAY for 2019. For a blessed year for many, for our churches, families, communities and many more. That this year we would see growth,
not just numerically but in our relationships with Jesus.

READ THE GOOD NEWS – Luke 2:41-52 As Jesus was found in His Father’s house, let us be found in our Father’s house also. Coming to Him to repent, to have forgiveness, to receive joy and peace.

SUNDAY 30TH DECEMBER – JOINT PARISH COMMUNION – St Bartholomew’s, 9.30am – ALL WELCOME – NOTE! – no services in the other churches.

31st December – New Years Eve Party – for all the family!
Meltham Parish Church Hall, 7.30pm till after midnight. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. There will be music, fun & games for all ages.
Tickets available from the Flower Box or call Pam (01484 349857 / 07761 393502). Tickets £3 each or £10 for a family of four.

PRAYER AND WORSHIP IN THE COMING WEEK

Wednesday 2nd January
9.00am – BCP Holy Communion, St Bartholomew’s
10.00am – Meltham Churches Together Prayers for the Community, St Bartholomew’s

Please Note Morning Prayer in the Parish will resume next week as usual, including:
Christ Church – 7th January & St Mary’s 8th January.

NEXT SUNDAY 6TH JANUARY
St Bartholomew’s, 9.30am – Holy Communion
St James’, 9.30am – Service of the Word
Christ Church, 11.15am – Service of the Word
St Mary’s, 11.15am – Holy Communion

OTHER INSERTS FOR YOUR DIARY:
Wednesday 2nd January – Growth & Development Meeting at The Vicarage, 7.30pm

Saturday 5th January – White Elephant Sale Coffee Morning at Meltham Parish Church Hall, 9.30am. Bring along all your unwanted gifts to help raise funds for new windows in the Church Hall.

Saturday 12th January – Winter Warmer – Come and join us for Pies, Peas & Pudding followed by Tea & Coffee at Christ Church, Helme, 12.00 – 2.00pm. Tickets £8 per person, are available from Janet – 01484 851424 or Irene – 01484 664163

Please send all weekly news entries to Amelia at parishofchristtheking@gmail.com

Meltham Carol Singers from the Sixties/Seventies – hear them here!

A long time ago, in Meltham-lehem, so the holy bible says 🙂
………a group of 8 choristers got together and recorded a selection of local carols including the Meltham carol – Tenderly Sleeping. They called themselves the MELVO Singers (an abbreviation for Meltham Voices). Not sure of the exact date but think it was either in the Sixties or Seventies.

They recorded 14 carols in total. Some tracks are currently unidentified but I’m sure some of the old ‘Melthamers’ out there might know them.

The choir at St Bart’s still go out carol singing around the village and continue to sing some of these older local carols for the old ‘Melthamers’.

You can listen to the recording here (and hopefully learn them too, so they’re not lost for future generations. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas

Soprano: Muriel Stead and Margaret Ogden
Contralto: Betty Peel and Jean Lane
Tenor: Philip Stead and Gordon Sanderson
Bass: Eddie Lofthouse and Brian Ulrick

If you, or anyone you know, will be alone on Christmas Day, or who won’t be having a dinner for any reason, then please contact us as soon as possible. We warmly invite anyone who would like to join us at Meltham Parish Church Hall for lunch on Christmas Day.

Catering will be by Helen & Kristi (who used to have the Foxhole, but have now moved on) and will include a two course meal, served by members of their staff and volunteers, and will be completely free of charge.

Please call and let us know if you wish to attend, as we need to know numbers for catering.

DON’T BE ALONE THIS CHRISTMAS!

For more information or to book your place, please call Pam Murgatroyd – 01484 349857 / 07761 393502 or call in and speak to Chris Smith at The Crossroads Centre.

PLEASE PRAY for those ‘in need’ this Christmas. Not just in need of money or possessions, but in need of a family, in need of knowing Christ as their loving Saviour, Father, Redeemer and Friend.

READ THE GOOD NEWS – Luke 3:7-18 …“Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” As John encourages the people to bear good fruit and proclaim the gospel, ask yourself what you can do to help others this Christmas?

PRAYER AND WORSHIP IN THE COMING WEEK

Monday 17th December
9.30am – Morning Prayer, Christ Church

Tuesday 18th December
9.30am – Morning Prayer, St Mary’s

Wednesday 19th December
9.00am – BCP Holy Communion, St Bartholomew’s
10.00am – Meltham Churches Together Prayers for the Community, St Bartholomew’s

SERVICES CHRISTMAS WEEK:
SUNDAY 23RD DECEMBER
St Bartholomew’s, 9.30am – Holy Communion
4.00pm – Nativity & Carols

St James’ 9.30am – Holy Communion
St Mary’s, 11.15am – Service of the Word
Christ Church, 11.15am – Holy Communion

CHRISTMAS EVE
St James’, 4.00pm – Crib Service
St Bartholomew’s, 11.30pm – Midnight Communion – NOTE! – earlier start time.

CHRISTMAS DAY
St Bartholomew’s, 9.30am – Holy Communion
St James’, 9.30am – Holy Communion
Christ Church, 10.00am – Holy Communion
St Mary’s, 11.15am – Holy Communion

OTHER INSERTS FOR YOUR DIARY:
Wednesday 19th December
Carol Singing for Christian Aid – Everyone welcome! 6.00 – 7.00pm at Morrisons, Meltham.

Christmas Day – 25th December
Don’t be alone Christmas Day Lunch – we warmly invite anyone who would like to join us at Meltham Parish Church Hall, for lunch provided
free of charge. If you, or anyone you may know, will be alone this Christmas Day, then please get in touch and let us know. Please call Pam –
01484 349857 / 07761 393502 or speak to Chris Smith at The Crossroads Centre.

Please send all weekly news entries to Amelia at parishofchristtheking@gmail.com

Check out the December #Meltham Parish Magazine here.
You can find details of all our Christmas services across the Parish!

It’s that time of the year again. The popular Carols in the Pub is back in #Meltham at the Waggon & Horses from 8pm – Sat 15th Dec.  We’ll be singing all your favourite carols in various styles and telling the Christmas story.  With with Rev John on the mic, and Simon at the piano, it’s sure to be a fun filled night. Come on down and join us.  All welcome!

PLEASE PRAY for our Prime Minister, for our Government and for our Nation. As Theresa May leads us, facing such opposition and battle, pray that she, and all involved, would seek God and His strength, wisdom and authority to do what is best for our Nation at such a difficult and challenging time.

READ THE GOOD NEWS – Luke 3.1-6
Let us not forget or take advantage of God’s goodness toward us and how important it is for us to repent, as John the Baptist preached, and be forgiven, as we come before Him.

PRAYER AND WORSHIP IN THE COMING WEEK
Monday 10th December
9.30am – Morning Prayer, Christ Church

Tuesday 11th December
9.30am – Morning Prayer, St Mary’s

Wednesday 12th December
10.00am – Meltham Churches Together Prayers for the Community, St Bartholomew’s
(Please not that there is no 9.00am service this Wednesday as it is being replaced by the Seasonal Service & Lunch, details below)

NEXT SUNDAY 16th DECEMBER
St Bartholomew’s, 9.30am – Holy Communion
St James’ 9.30am – Service of the Word / Meditation
St Mary’s, 11.15am – Service of the Word
                   6.00pm – Carol Service
Christ Church, 11.15am – Holy Communion

OTHER INSERTS FOR YOUR DIARY:
Wednesday 12th December
Advent Parish Communion with Seasonal lunch served afterwards, including mince pies, sherry and many more treats – at St Bartholomew’s Church, 11.00am

Friday 14th December
Meltham & Meltham Mills Band Christmas Concert – 7.00pm at St Bartholomew’s Church. Tickets £8.00 available from The Flower Box / entry on the door

Saturday 15th December
Carols in the Pub – 8pm onwards at the Waggon & Horses. Come, rejoice and be merry!

PLEASE REMEMBER: The deadline for the January magazine has been brought forward, due to the Christmas holidays. The last date to submit items is Monday 10th December.
Please send all weekly news entries to Amelia at parishofchristtheking@gmail.com