Dear Brothers and Sisters

Many of you will already be aware of the death of Rosemary Row who was Churchwarden at Weston for so many years. Rosemary’s funeral service will be at Weston on 23rd of December at 10.30am. Rosemary’s family will be organising who can attend as we are only able to allow 30 people to attend. Please give thanks for Rosemary’s life and keep her children; Sally, David and Caroline and all of her family and friends in your prayers.

Christmas Day is often the time of year when our churches are packed. This year this will not be possible. We need to make sure that we allow enough space in our buildings to allow us all to be at a safe distance from each other. So, if you are planning to attend church on Christmas Day please contact the appropriate Churchwarden to let them know. (Blubberhouses: Pat Anderson on 01943 880284 or Cheri Beaumont on 01943 465977. Denton: Ann Chadwick on 01943 600604. Farnley: Peter Goodwin on 01943 969953. Leathley: Liz Webster on 01943 468376 or Terry Bramall on 07802877799.)

Comfort and Joy booklets will be available to take home from this weekend. Please take them and use them at home over the Christmas period.

If you would like to join in singing Carols together, but apart, each evening at 7pm.  from 17th December (O Sapientia) do let me know what you would like to sing (first come, first served) and I’ll put together a Carol sheet for us to use.

All of our Churches are in Tier 2 but many of us live in Tier 3 locations. Whatever Tier we are in we can attend Church for worship but we should not mingle with those outside of our own bubble or support network. It is hard isn’t it?

Sunday’s Readings

A Reading from the book of prophet Isaiah

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 
to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. 

They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.                                        (61:1-4, 8-11)

The Gospel according to John

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord”’, as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.      (1:6-8, 19-28)

Services next Sunday 20th December           

  • Denton                             9.30am
  • Blubberhouses                11am
  • Farnley                            2.30pm

Services for Christmas Day                        

  • Denton                             9.30am
  • Blubberhouses              9.30am
  • Farnley                            9.30am
  • Leathley                           10am

Service on Sunday 27th December                                 

  • Fewston                           11am.

Please remember in your prayers: All those preparing to be vaccinated over the coming weeks and the healthcare staff who will be vaccinating them. All who face losing their livelihoods over the coming weeks and months.  All who have to depend on Foodbanks to feed their families. All who work for the good of others in their local communities. John and Charlotte Golson married at Denton on Saturday. The sick and for their families; Jane and John Charman, Sue Kidd. For all those who mourn, especially the families of Rosemary Row and Phillip Scrope.

God bless you all.                                 

Stephen