ST MARY’S, BALDERSTONE

(euphonium), who’s been in the band for 48 years.

They all did superbly well and received rapturous applause, none more so than young Josh, who played exceptionally well in what must have been a daunting experience for one so young.

A highlight of the evening was audience participation in the band’s version of The Wellerman, the well-known sea shanty by Nathan Evans.

We have two services tomorrow (Sunday), the usual 9.30am Sung Eucharist, followed at 5pm by our monthly Evening Prayer.

On Monday we will have a special Advent service at 2pm, held in conjunction with St James,’ Milnrow as part of our Mission Community programme which also involves St Thomas’s at Newhey, you know, the church on the hill with its huge spier which overlooks the Pennine village it has served for more than 120 years.

Monday’s preacher will be the Rev Janet Pitman, vicar of St James’s.

We will welcome parishioners from both churches so it would be nice to have a good footfall from St Andrew’s too.

The service is hosted by our Mothers’ Union, but don’t think it’s just for members or just for mothers. It will be an Advent Service for everyone, men and women, at a time when we are getting ready for Christmas and the birth of baby Jesus in the stable.

Last Sunday doubled up as both St Andrew’s Day and Advent Sunday – the first Sunday of the new Church Year and a big day for us on two counts.

We brought out the Advent Wreath and little Faith, the youngest and most recent addition to the choir, lit the first Advent candle as we began our journey up to Christmas.

On Tuesday at Wardle Village Church (7pm), there will be a joint Service of Light, also involving St Andrew’s, at which all are welcome to remember lost loves ones and to light a candle in their memory.

Another diary date is this Wednesday when we hold an NHS cancer awareness and screening event between 10.30am and 11.30am with NHS representatives.

Interestingly, we receive £100 for church funds if we get 10 or more attendees, so please attend if you can.

The Carol Service will be held in Church on Sunday week, December 11, at 3pm.

We remind parishioners selection boxes are needed for general distribution and that Christmas cards are available from our church bookstall with all profits going to church funs.

There is an event coming up in Littleborough tomorrow (Sunday) in which one of our church regulars, Liz White, is heavily involved.

From 11am to 4pm, at Star Tree Studio, Hare Hill park, there will be a Creative Christmas event with original gifts by local artists, including the sale of poetry books for Springhill Hospice. Entry is free and tea and coffee will be available.

GOD’S good story of life, light and love keeps moving forward. In good times and bad, but always moving, undeterred, resolute, faithful.

It’s the greatest true story in which we’re all invited and included.

Tomorrow, we have a service of Holy Communion at 10.30am.

This week we have a guest preacher, the Rev David Banting. We will also be lighting the second candle on our advent crown – also known as the ‘faith’ or ‘Prophet’s’ candle.

Sunday school will be available. Straight after the service there will be a bring and share lunch, where we’ll spend some time sharing ideas about the way forward for us as a church.

There will be no prayer gathering tomorrow evening. Our weekly joint prayer meeting will be taking an early festive break and will return in January.

Midweek activities run as usual:

Smurfs (St Mary’s Under Fives) meets on Tuesday afternoon 1.30pm-3pm in the parish room.

It costs £1 for one adult with child and an extra 30p each for extra children.

Small Groups: There are two groups meeting – Wednesday evening, 7.20pm – 9pm, in the building or via Zoom or Thursday evening, 7.20pm – 9pm, Zoom only.

Everyone is welcome, even if you’ve never been to a Bible Study before. Advance notice: Next Saturday (December 10) we have a Christmas Coffee Morning, from 10am – noon. Held in the parish room and filled with festive treats. Everyone welcome. Next Sunday is our all-age, Dress Up Nativity. Shepherds and angels and kings – oh my! A Nativity for all the family.

This begins at the usual time of 10.30am.

For further information please get in touch by email stmarysbalderstone@ gmail.com or see our Facebook page,

www.facebook.com/ saintmarysbalderstone

ST CHAD’S AND ST MARY IN THE BAUM

FOR more than 800 years, St Chad’s, on Sparrow Hill, overlooking the town centre, has been Rochdale’s Parish Church.

With our sister church, St Mary in the Baum, we provide largely traditional forms of Anglican worship, and you are warmly welcome to join us.

Today, Saturday, December 3, St Chad’s Annual Christmas Fayre is in church from 11am to 2pm. Please support our usual stalls and refreshments at this important fundraiser.

There are raffles and tombola, a bottle stall, a Christmas hamper, cakes and preserves, books, CDS and DVDS, toys and games, jewellery, cards and items of handicraft, children’s fun and refreshments. Admission is free. Tomorrow, Sunday, December 4, is the 2nd Sunday in Advent.

The Eucharist, with hymns, is at St Mary’s at

9.15am, when the celebrant is the Rev Sue Morgan and the preacher the Vicar, the Rev Anne Gilbert.

Choral Eucharist is at St Chad’s at 11.15am, when the anthem is “Kindle a Light” (Fleming).

The celebrant and preacher is the Vicar.

Each Monday, at St Mary’s, the Red Cross provides help for refugees from 10am until 2pm.

On Wednesday, at St Mary’s at 12.30pm, the Toad Lane Lunchtime Concert features Margaret Ferguson, international soprano, and Jonathan Ellis, piano. Admission is

£6. Next Thursday, December 8, at St Chad’s, Holy Communion is at 10am.

“A Place of Welcome” is from 10.30am until noon, with coffee, cake and fellowship. Admission is free.

Sunday next, December 11, is the 3rd in Advent. Carols are sung at St Mary’s at 9.15am, in a service led by Hannah Currin.

Choral Eucharist and The Mayor’s Carol Service are at St Chad’s at 11.15am. Items by the choir include “My Lord and Saviour is my song” (Magnificat by Rizza) and “A Great and Mighty Wonder”.

The celebrant and preacher is the Vicar, the Rev Anne Gilbert.

The Asian Christian Fellowship meets at St Chad’s each Sunday at 1pm.

St Chad’s Annual Service of Lessons and Carols is on Sunday, December 18, at

11.15am.