Bamford Chapel www.bamfordchapel.co.uk
February 2012
BAMFORD CHAPEL Mission/Vision Statement MISSION TO MAKE KNOWN THE GOOD NEWS OF THE LOVE OF GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST WORSHIP We believe as a congregation that our worship should be wholehearted and meaningful as we join together in praise and thanksgiving to God. In response to God’s love, we wish to express our joy, to open our hearts to God’s voice and to respond to His word. LEARNING Recognising our need to learn of God and from God, we seek to provide an environment within which learning and teaching can take place. We would want to enable each person to accept God into their life and to have the ability to discuss and share their faith with all. PASTORAL We are joined together in our faith by the Holy Spirit. As a loving fellowship we wish to deepen and extend our care for each other encouraging everyone to use their gifts, as they are enabled by God, to show tenderness and compassion in a spirit of humility. MISSION/SOCIETY We accept that we are called to make Christ known in our community at Bamford and in all other places. We would wish to influence others by example and comment, accepting that God will speak through us as we maintain a relationship with Him. We recognise the need for the Church to participate in all aspects of the life of the world, and proclaim God’s will, as it is revealed to us.
Further Details may be found at www.bamfordchapel.co.uk Thurs 2nd Feb
7.30 pm
Sat 4th Feb
11am until 12 noon
Sun 5th Feb
10.30 am
Sun 5th Feb
6.00 pm
Sun 12th Feb
10.30 am
Sun 12th Feb
6.00 pm
Tues 14th Feb
12 noon for 12.45 pm
Elders Meeting Local Councillors Surgery
Family Worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Richard Bradley Evening Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley Family Worship led by Margaret Ogden Evening Worship led by Joan Warner Lunchtime Concert - Time for Jazz Dan Whieldon - Piano & Gavin Barrass - Bass
Sun 19th Feb
10.30 am
Sun 19th Feb
6.00 pm
Evening Worship with Holy Communion led by Joanne Shaw
Mon 20th Feb
6.30 pm
Bamford & Oakenrod Form
Sun 26th Feb
10.30 am 12.30 pm until 1.30 pm
Sun 26th Feb
6.00 pm
Family Worship led by Andy Platt
Family Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley Followed by ZI Meeting - The Premises Making them more inviting Evening Worship led by Walter Brisk
Message from the manse It is hard to believe that as I write this article we are nearly half way through January! By the time you are reading these words we will be at the end of January. As we stand at the beginning of a new year we do so with opportunity aplenty set before us. The opportunity for each one of us to grow and develop our faith in the living and active God that we worship because as Christians our faith is living and active. By the time this magazine is published Alpha will have begun and we will have had the first of our four special church meetings to explore the topic of “welcome” and the different aspects of welcome in the church (see poster in the magazine about the “Everybody Welcome” meetings). As I pen this article I do so the morning after one of the best Churches Together meetings I have ever attended. I took over as Chair of Churches Together from Brian Drury, who was the Pastor of Cutgate Baptist Church, at the October Meeting. Before he left he suggested that it would be a good topic of a meeting for churches within Churches Together in North West Rochdale (CTiNWR) to share stories of Mission happening within the 11 churches that form CTiNWR. Approximately 40 people were present at Norden URC for the meeting last night. We heard from 9 of the 11 churches who all shared something about the work of mission that was taking place in their respective churches. Mostly about local mission but also some shared stories of mission overseas too. Three people spoke up at the end of the meeting to say what a positive meeting it had been and how they 2
had learnt so much about what brothers and sisters in Christ were doing in the local churches (and others spoke to me after the meeting also). I tell you this because the God who we serve is an exciting God; an exhilarating God. A God who demands much from those to whom He gives much – that is you and I. I want to encourage us in the missionary work that we do in Bamford Chapel; the work that touches people’s lives with the love of God. The hymn writer Edward Joseph Burns sums up the Church’s Mission well in a hymn: We have a gospel to proclaim good news for men in all the earth; the gospel of a saviour’s name: we sing His glory, tell His worth” (Combined Mission Praise number 728 verse 1) As I said at the start our faith is living and active. And we serve a God who is always moving in His world and in His Church. I hope for the year that lies ahead we will listen individually and corporately to the voice of God and follow obediently in the direction in which He calls us so that our endeavours may be His endeavours - the endeavours of the Kingdom of God. May God Bless us all with His presence and guidance. Your Servant in Christ, Richard 3
News of the family Concerns are expressed for Ray and Auriel Atkins, Patricia and John Lapworth, the McLaughlin family, Alastair Gordon, Alastair Linden, Audrey Morris, Geoff Ogden, Jean Lumb and Helen Baillie. Margaret Frain has had a fall at home and has broken her hip. Doreen Watts and Margaret Entwistle also had falls in early January. Joyce Yates is recovering following her eye operation and Addie Redmond has made a speedy recovery after his cataract operation in December. Anne Fitton is waiting for surgery on her knee and there is concern about Catherine, who was admitted to hospital in January. Please remember all these people in your prayers. Christian Platt has begun his new venture in Thailand. We pray that this will be successful and that he will find fulfillment in his new career. A new Alpha course has already begun. May God be with the leaders, helpers and guests as they learn more about Life. Lent will soon be upon us and the Lent Groups will be starting. Look out for more information about venues and topics.
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CHURCH WEBSITE: www.bamfordchapel.co.uk A reminder that the website changes from time to time so that we try and keep it relevant and up-to-date. Please let me have details of events or articles about events so that they can go up on the website for people to see. If your group currently doesn’t have a page (or part of a page) that is probably because I am in need of material. Please let me have articles and then I can create a page for your group/organisation. In addition I am exploring the possibility of purchasing the right to use e-mail address ending @bamfordchapel.co.uk for people to send e-mails to contacts within the church. For example: minister@bamfordchapel.co.uk (this currently is not an active e-mail address!) I feel that church websites look more professional and quite frankly better when this is done. I went on some church websites a few days ago and every one had this function. So watch this space! Thanks and God Bless Richard
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Don’t be surprised when bad things happen ‘Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.’ Matthew 4:1 Jesus had just been baptised in the Holy Spirit, and now he was being led by the Spirit into a place of temptation. This is always God’s way. He will confront us as soon as possible with the need to ‘grow up’. To say ‘No’ to the world, the flesh and the devil and to realise that doing the will of God is never easy. There are mountains to be climbed! There’s an enemy to be faced and conquered. Remember, spiritual blessings on the mountain top are to equip us for the valley that lies ahead. Are you going through some real battles today? When Jesus faced the enemy, he used the Word of God. Three times he said: ‘It is written’. He knew what God had said, therefore he was more than a match for the devil. Do you know the Word? If not, then you need to get into it right away! Please remember that it’s not just one big fight and afterwards smooth sailing! Every morning when you waken, the enemy will be there to face you through a circumstance, a health condition, a financial problem, a critic or even a close family member. Even if you have failed and fallen in the battle in recent days, get back up, take the sword in your hand and remember his promise: “I give you power over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19) He wants you to be an overcomer today. From Word for Today 6
Luncheon Club Celebrates 30 years On Wednesday 23rd November members of the Luncheon Club along with 60 helpers past and present met in the Primary room for cake and coffee to celebrate 30years of the club. Luncheon Club was the brain child of Revd Jeff Yates and some of the original helpers continue today as cooks, hostesses, or drivers. What a commitment! Things have changed over the years, more documentation, rules and regulations and unannounced inspections by the Food Standards Agency. This year we gained the highest rating of “5” which means we have reached very good hygiene standards. A big thank you to all our helpers and friends for the support they continue to give. Hopefully luncheon club will be able to continue for many more years as a valuable part of Bamford Chapel’s outreach to the community. Muriel Sturrock. 7
FLOWER CALENDAR. The calendar for 2012 is now on the notice board. If you would like to contribute to the cost of flowers in church please choose a date, fill in your name and give a donation to Pamela Harrington or Gillian James. Thank you.
Churches Together Christmas Cards The delivery of these cards is now shared between various Churches, in previous years we have produced our own letters and cards and were delivered by our membership, approx 45 bundles. Under the present arrangements we only had 17 bundles to deliver but a number were not taken, the remaining three were on Clay Lane, Norden Road and Tern/ Bittern and Petrel. I am also aware that there other friends who have delivered more than one bundle. Much of our information was out of date but I felt that it was important that the message which they contained should be delivered, so yesterday afternoon (20th Dec) I delivered Clay Lane and today the other two bundles. Most only take an hour of our time so please I appeal that if an Easter Card appears in due course, please help, if you can. Ian Sturrock 8
Handing on the Torch Sacred words for a secular world A course in five sessions Written by John Young
You are invited to the Churches Together in North West Rochdale Lent Course 2012 When? Where? Who? What? Date
Venue
Leader
Theme
28th Feb 7.30pm*
St Clements', Spotland
Revd Karen Smeeton
A Christian Country?
6th March 7.30pm
St Paul’s, Norden
Angela Smith and Anne Fitton
A Secular Society?
13th March 7.30pm
St Vincent’s RC Church
Revd Richard Bradley
A Beleaguered Church?
20th March 7.30pm
Norden Methodist Church
Revd Malcolm Competing Sharrock Creeds
27th March 7.30pm
Norden URC
Mike Davis
Handing On The Torch
If you cannot commit to all of the evenings then come to as many as you can. On Maundy Thursday we are invited to Norden Methodist Church at 7pm for a service of Worship led by Revd Malcolm Sharrock For further details please contact Revd Richard Bradley - 01706 369622 (*Mass at 7pm if people want to arrive earlier) 9
Everybody Welcome “The course where everybody helps grow their church” The meetings will be held at Church on the following dates (12.30pm-1.30pm):
22nd January Discover: making the church more visible ———— 26th February The Premises: making them more inviting ————25th March A welcoming God and his welcoming people ———— 22nd April Belonging to the Church Community 10
RADICAL WELCOME The Radical Welcome/ZI initiative (zero-intolerance) in the URC is continuing and as we are aware churches are encouraged to work through material as part of the process of exploration. As a Church we decided at the July Church Meeting to explore further some of the suggested material for the Radical Welcome campaign. At the October Elders’ Meeting I suggested three ways that we might explore this material. The Elders decided that we would hold four one hour meetings following worship in January, February, March and April 2012. These meetings will happen on the fourth Sunday of every month. Those attending are asked to bring their sandwiches with them. You are encouraged to attend every meeting – but if you can only make some of them then that is fine. The dates and themes are as follows: Date nd
Time
Theme
22 Jan
12.30-1.30pm
Discover: making the church more visible
26th Febr
12.30-1.30pm
The premises: making them more inviting
25 March
12.30-1.30pm
A welcoming God and a welcoming people
22nd April
12.30-1.30pm
Belonging to the Church community
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I will be leading/facilitating these meetings and I hope you will come along and we can share together in this important area of the Church’s life. God Bless, Richard 11
Ladies Fellowship Our first meeting of the New Year was a presentation of the history of the musicals by Richard Hall. He told us that the operetta evolved into the musical and the first real musical was Oklahoma. Richard played excerpts from various musicals which had many toes tapping. It was a relaxing and pleasant evening and it was good to see the lounge full to capacity. Jenny Lee
Indoor Bowls Social and friendly indoor bowls at Bamford Chapel. New bowlers are invited to join us. Tuesday 1.30 pm - 4.00 pm From JANUARY until MARCH
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Are You a Good Reader? I am currently trying to update the list of people who are willing to read the lesson in church each Sunday, during both morning and evening services. A few more willing volunteers are needed. It is not too daunting a task as you usually have a day`s notice at least, which is plenty of time to practise! If you would like your name added to the list, or indeed taken off it, could you please either see me after church, `phone me (656517) or email me (kajsmith@hotmail.co.uk). Remember, the more people are on the list the fewer times your name will come round. Many thanks to all those who are on the list and who respond so graciously to my calls on Friday nights. Angela Smith
Kate Bullock [nee Sutton, daughter of Lesley and Peter] would like to thank all friends at Bamford Chapel for their cards, presents and good wishes on the occasion of her marriage to Kenneth. 13
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Bible Reading Plan: January 2012 – 7th April
As we continue with the journey of reading through the Bible in a year please find below the readings for the period of 26th January to the 7th April. I have continued with the same pattern as the earlier magazines by also giving the month ahead of the edition of the magazine. I hope people have found it a useful discipline as it becomes part of our daily lives as for some people they find a set time each day works for them where others do not stick to one set time but read the day’s readings when they get a break long enough to do it. If anyone wanted to share with others what they have found thus Epistles
The Law
History
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
35 (29th Jan)
2 Timothy 1-2
Numbers 9-12
1 Chron’les 15-19
36 (5th Feb)
2 Timothy 3-4
Numbers 13-16
1 Chron’les 20-24
37 (12th Feb)
Titus
Numbers 17-20
1 Chron’les 25-29
38 (29th Feb)
Philemon
Numbers 21-24
2 Chron’les 1-5
39 (26th Feb)
Hebrews 1-4
Numbers 25-28
2 Chron’les 6-10
40 (4th March)
Hebrews 5-7
Numbers 29-32
2 Chron’les 11-15
41 (11th March)
Hebrews 8-10
Numbers 33-36
2 Chron’les 16-20
42 (18th March)
Hebrews 11-13
Deut’onomy 1-3
2 Chron’les 21-24
43 (25th March)
James 1-3
Deut’onomy 4-6
2 Chron’les 25-28
44 (1st April)
James 4-5
Deut’onomy 7-9
2 Chron’les 29-32
Week
*I presume the planners have included Acts in the “Gospels” column because of fitting all of th
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far I am sure Louise and the editing team would like to hear from you and to print your reflections. Many thanks and God Bless, Richard
Bible reading plan taken from www.bible-reading.com Copyright 1995-2009 Michael Coley Psalms
Poetry
Prophecy
Gospels*
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Psalms 102-104
Proverbs 20-21
Hosea 8-14
John 10-12
Psalms 105-107
Proverbs 22
Joel
John 13-15
Psalms 108-110
Proverbs 23-24
Amos 1-4
John 16-18
Psalms 111-113
Proverbs 25
Amos 5-9
John 19-21
Psalms 114-116
Proverbs 26-37
Obadiah
Acts 1-2
Psalms 117-118
Proverbs 28
Jonah
Acts 3-4
Psalms 119
Proverbs 29-30
Micah
Acts 5-6
Psalms 120-121
Proverbs 31
Nahum
Acts 7-8
Psalms 122-124
Ecclesiastes 1-2
Habakkuk
Acts 9-10
Psalms 125-127
Ecclesiastes 3-4
Zephaniah
Acts 11-12
he Biblical books into the list; and because it is held that Luke wrote Acts as well as his Gospel.
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WANTED: Help to run the above Market Stall. The stall is now in the indoor market which is nice and warm and much more comfortable. Help is needed from 2 hours per session per week. Contact Gillian Galloway for further information or the numbers on the above. Thank you 16
Emergency Meal Scheme Following discussion in the Pastoral Group we are recommending this scheme to the church. Some churches run a scheme where meals are provided for people/families for two weeks following some kind of emergency, bereavement, illness, childbirth, family crisis, etc. This will help them through a difficult time. I know that many of our members provide ad-hoc meals for people already, but using a formally organised scheme will make this more effective. The proposed scheme is organised through the internet: People willing to provide meals volunteer to the co-ordinator who compiles a list of contact details When a situation arises the co-ordinator is informed The co-ordinator emails or phones all those on the list of volunteers The volunteers access a website to see what others are offering and when and add their contribution. Any volunteer who does not have internet access can phone the co-ordinator who will bring up the website and a decision can be made. Volunteers will deliver the meals as planned. Volunteers without cars will be assisted with delivery Using the internet should avoid clashes and repetition and enable a rapid response. To make this work we need volunteers to prepare meals. If you think you could do that or would like to discuss it further, please contact Addie Redmond or any member of the Pastoral Committee or sign up on the list under the clock in the coffee area. 17
Christmas Tree Quiz Many thanks to all who bought a copy of our quiz. We raised ÂŁ60, which will be put towards our sponsorship money. The church is committed to raise ÂŁ400 per year to sponsor Fadel and Vana, our two children in Lebanon. We usually manage to send a little more than that, the extra money being used to buy treats or to go towards parties for the children. The children also receive cards and small gifts at Christmas, Easter and for their birthdays. Patricia and I have raised money over a number of years, primarily through the sale of second hand books each Sunday after church, and through the generosity of many people who collect pennies for us. We also raise money at the Garden Party and at the Christmas Fair with all our profits going towards the sponsorship. Thanks to everyone who has supported this cause, especially to those who regularly collect pennies or buy or donate books to the stall . Please remember our children in your prayers. Five people returned their quiz sheets and two of them had all the answers correct. The winners were Auriel Atkins and Peter Sutton, both of whom will receive a small prize. The answers are now displayed on the notice board near the book stall. Angela Smith
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Bamford Chapel Project 2011; Eden Farm, Zambia The 2011 project was launched at the Harvest Service in September with the assistance of Michelle, Linda and Malcolm Kerford’s daughter and her family. Michelle and her family showed us a DVD and talked about their experience in Zambia when they visited earlier in the year. Following the service there was an opportunity to sample some traditional Zambian food. We set out to raise money to employ an experienced Zambian Farmer to take responsibility for setting up and developing the farming on the land owned by the Eden farm Children’s Village and to raise funds for tools, plants, seeds etc. This will assist Eden Farm to become sustainable in the longer term. Through personal giving £5404 has been raised plus an additional £500 raised by Linda and Malcolm Kerford as a result of a dinner held at Bury College. In addition money is being claimed back where Gift Aided. The recruitment process for an experienced farmer has already started in Zambia and a group from the UK are going out in April 2012 to support the project staff to appoint a farmer as well as providing further support with practical tasks. At this point the money raised by Bamford Chapel will given to the project. Michelle will keep us up-to-date as to how the money is being used and the farm developments. In the meantime you can get information about the project from the web site below: http://www.lifesupportcharity.org.uk/ Life_Support/Chingola.html Carole Greaves (on behalf of the Church in the World Committee)
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A Special Concert next Spring! When we are planning our Midday Concerts, we sometimes get very bold and invite an artiste we know we will probably not be able to afford! A few months ago Mike Lucas told me about Kathryn Rudge, a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, a young mezzo soprano of immense promise. I wrote to her asking if she would come to Bamford some time, and to my great pleasure she said she would like to do that. Of course, her fee was beyond what we offer for our Midday Concerts – she is already launched on a truly splendid career – but I persuaded her to come for an evening concert next May. Until then, she has almost continuous professional engagements, and in October 2011 she has taken to the stage of the Coliseum Theatre in London with English National Opera, playing Cherubino in Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro”. She will come to us on the evening of Saturday 19th May 2012. We are planning to sell tickets at £5 and hoping to attract an audience of at least 150. This would enable us to pay Kathryn and her accompanist appropriate professional fees and would also enable us to make a profit for the Chapel. For me, one of the real joys of our Midday Concerts is that we bring into our lovely building visitors who might not otherwise come here. Even though they may take no part in our worship, their visits surely make an impression for good on them. Will you all please make a note in your diaries now of the date of this evening concert, and make sure that it is widely circulated. It is a long way off, but experience shows that if folk know about things well in advance they often make a real effort to keep a date free. I can promise that this will be a memorable concert. Mike and I listened to Kathryn being interviewed on Radio Three one evening, and her lively personality was irrepressible even there. So note the date, and pass it on! Walter
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Bamford Chapel Lunchtime concert Tuesday 14th February Lunch available at 12 noon Concert at 12.45 pm Entry charge for the concert is ÂŁ3 Time for Jazz Dan Whieldon - Piano & Gavin Barrass - Bass
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What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible? Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David’s Triumph was heard throughout the land. Honda... because the apostles were all in one Accord. Volkswagen Beetle: 2 Cor. 4:8 “We are pressed in every way, but not cramped beyond movement.”
What it’s worth A man and his ten-year-old son were on a fishing trip miles from home. At the boy's insistence, they decided to attend the Sunday worship service at a small rural church. The father forgot to bring any cash, so he reached in his pocket and gave his son 10p to drop in the offering plate as it was passed. As they walked back to their car after the service, the father complained. "The service was too long," he lamented. "The sermon was boring, and the singing was off key." Finally the boy said, "Daddy, I thought it was pretty good for 10p." 22
FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT
Coffee Morning at Bamford Chapel United Reformed Church, Norden Road, Rochdale.
Saturday 3 March 2012 rd
10.00 am to 12 Noon
Traidcraft Stall Tickets ÂŁ2.50 from Traidcraft Stall on a Sunday morning at Bamford Chapel or PAY ON THE DOOR!
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I wonder what January meant to you. Was the month after Christmas and all through the house, Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse. The stuffing I'd nibbled, the turkey I'd taste, ... ... The yummies I'd eaten gone straight to my waist. The wine and the mince pies, the bread and the cheese..... I should have just said, "no thank you, please." ... So as I dressed myself in my husband’s old shirt, I couldn't believe my bottom and belly - the.............. gi......rth! I said to myself, as only I can, "you can't spend the year disguised as a man!" So away with the last of the sour-cream dip, Get rid of the fruitcake, every cracker and chip. Every last bit of food that I like must be banished 'til all the additional ounces have vanished. I won't have a cookie, not even a lick, instead I'll chew on a long celery stick. I won't have Irish coffees, or chocolates, or pie..... I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry: "I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore – but isn't that what January's for?" Unable to giggle, no longer a riot, Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet! As Christians we have just celebrated the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ and yes we might have eaten too much during that wonderful season. But, January was the start of another New Year with all its opportunities, not just to lose those extra pounds but to serve our 24
God in whatever ways we are able with the reassurance that we are not alone as we face whatever the future may bring. I trust that these are the sentiments we can all share as we face the coming weeks and months. Blessings to you all Margaret Ogden
Geoff and I celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary between Christmas and the New Year. As we watched the video of that happy occasion once more we were reminded of the hymn that we sung that day. It was based on a poem by Anna Laetitia Waring and the first verse says Father, I know that all my life Is portioned out for me, The changes that are sure to come, I do not fear to see; I ask Thee for a present mind Intent on pleasing Thee.
Forgiveness A Sunday School teacher had just concluded her lesson and wanted to make sure she had made her point. She said, “Can anyone tell me what you must do before you can obtain forgiveness of sin?� There was a short pause and then, from the back of the room, a small boy spoke up. "Sin," he said.
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Pastoral Search Report (fictional !!!) We do not have a happy report to give. We’ve not been able to find a suitable candidate for this church, though we have one promising prospect still. We do appreciate all the suggestions from the church members, and we’ve followed up each one with interviews or calling at least three references. The following is our confidential report on the present candidates. Adam: Good man but problems with his wife. Also one reference told of how his wife and he enjoy walking nude in the woods. Noah: Former pastorate of 120 years with no converts. Prone to unrealistic building projects. Abraham: Though the references reported wife-swapping, the facts seem to show he never slept with another man’s wife, but did offer to share his own wife with another man. Joseph: A big thinker, but a braggart, believes in dreaminterpreting, and has a prison record. Moses: A modest and meek man, but poor communicator, even stuttering at times. Sometimes blows his stack and acts rashly. Some say he left an earlier church over a murder charge. David: The most promising leader of all until we discovered the affair he had with his neighbour’s wife. Solomon: Great preacher but our parsonage would never hold all those wives. Elijah: Prone to depression-collapses under pressure. Elisha: Reported to have lived with a single widow while at his former church. Hosea: A tender and loving pastor but our people could
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never handle his wife’s occupation. Deborah: Female. Jeremiah: Emotionally unstable, alarmist, negative, always lamenting things, and reported to have taken a long trip to bury his underwear on the bank of foreign river. Isaiah: On the fringe? Claims to have seen angels in church. Has trouble with his language. Jonah: Refused God’s call into ministry until he was forced to obey by getting swallowed up by a great fish. He told us the fish later spit him out on the shore near here. We hung up. Amos: Too backward and unpolished. With some seminary training he might have promise, but has a hang-up against wealthy people. Might fit in better in a poor congregation. John: Says he is a Baptist, but definitely doesn’t dress like one. Has slept in the outdoors for months on end, has a weird diet, and provokes denominational leaders. Peter: Too blue collar. Has a bad temper—even has been known to curse. Had a big run-in with Paul in Antioch. Aggressive, but a loose cannon. Paul: Powerful CEO type leader and fascinating preacher. However, short on tact, unforgiving with younger ministers, harsh and has been known to preach all night. Timothy: Too young. Jesus: Has had popular times, but once when his church grew to 5000 he managed to offend them all and this church dwindled down to twelve people. Seldom stays in one place very long. And, of course, he’s single. Judas: His references are solid. A steady plodder. Conservative. Good connections. Knows how to handle money. We’re inviting him to preach this Sunday. Possibilities here.
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BAMFORD CHAPEL MAGAZINE EDITORS:
Louise Aspinall 01706 719449 l.aspinall@yahoo.co.uk Martyn James 01706 868885 martyn-james1@sky.com
SECRETARY:
Joan Ashton 01706 360395 ray-joanashton@sky.com
DATES FOR THE NEXT MAGAZINE MARCH 2012 Articles to be handed in by:
Sunday 12th February 2012
Magazine to be completed by:
Thursday 26th February 2012
Magazine distributed:
Sunday 26th February 2012
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BAMFORD CHAPEL United Reformed Church Charity - Reg’d No 1128387
(FAIRTRADE CHURCH) Norden Road, ROCHDALE, Lancs. OL11 5PQ
The Manse, Norden Road, ROCHDALE, Lancs OL11 5PQ www.bamfordchapel.co.uk Telephone: Minister : Email:
01706 369622
Rev Richard Bradley richardbradley@cantab.net
Church Secretary: Telephone: Email:
Mr Ian Sturrock 01706 653109 i.sturrock@talktalk.net
Wedding Secretary: Telephone:
Mr John Lapworth 01706 632460
Lettings Manager: Linda Kerford Telephone: 01706 624256 Email: l.kerford@btinternet.com
Times of Services: Family Worship : 10.30 am : Holy Communion 1st Sunday in month Evening Worship : 6.00 pm : Holy Communion 3rd Sunday in month 30