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Bamford

Chapel

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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.

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Further Details may be found at

www.bamfordchapel.co.uk

Sunday 3rd Feb 10.30am Family Worship with Holy Communion led by our Minister Revd Richard Bradley

6.00pm Evening Worship led by Joanne Ackroyd

Saturday 9th Feb 7.00pm Bamford Chapel present Jesus Christ Superstar

Sunday 10th Feb 10.30am Family Worship led by Margaret Ogden

6.00pm Bamford Chapel present Jesus Christ Superstar

(No evening service)

Tuesday 12th Feb 12 Noon

for 12.45pm

Light lunches followed by concert given by Tryptique (piano. flute & voice)

Thursday 14th Feb 12.30pm -

2.00pm CTiNWR Lent Course, Norden Methodist Church

Thursday 14th Feb 7.30pm Elders Meeting

Sunday 17th Feb 10.30am Family Worship led by our Minister Revd Richard Bradley

6.00pm Evening Worship with Holy Communion led by our Minister Revd Richard Bradley

Monday 18th Feb 6.30pm Bamford & Oakenrod Area Forum

Continued over the page

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Message from the manse

Discipleship

As we continue with our themed services we have explored Encounters with Jesus

in our services in January. We turn now to look at the theme of Discipleship. To be a disciple is to be a follower of Jesus.

It is hard to believe that we have not long celebrated Christmas and in the middle of February Lent begins.

Journey is part of both Christmas and Lent/Easter. In the Christmas narrative you have Mary and Joseph on a journey to register – Mary heavily pregnant rides from

Nazareth to Bethlehem and the continuing narrative is familiar to us - the Saviour of the world is born.

In Lent we continue on a journey with Jesus. But this is an entirely different journey. It is a journey to his death -

A journey that will bring immense suffering to Jesus; a journey where he is left abandoned and let down by

those closest to him. As we will soon enter this season of Lent – I hope that we will not miss the truth of this season because of familiarity. When we will sing familiar

hymns and songs and hear familiar readings. I hope that we will focus on the truth because at the centre of the

Sunday 24th Feb 10.30am. Family Worship led by our minister Revd Richard Bradley

6.00pm Evening Worship led by Walter Brisk

Tuesday 26th Feb 8.00 pm Finance Meeting

Thursday 28th Feb 12.30pm -

2.00pm CTiNWR Lent Course Bamford Chapel

Thursday 21st Feb 12.30pm -

2.00pm CTiNWR Lent Course Bamford Chapel

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Easter narrative is the very heart of the Gospel. The

Good News of God having given of Himself in the form of His Son Jesus Christ who now suffers – that we, and all

the world, can receive the gift of salvation and eternal life through one man, our Lord Jesus Christ.

As a minister I want people to come to know Jesus as their Saviour. I long for those with a relationship with

God to go deeper into that relationship. In February we will look at certain passages in the Bible and think about the theme of ‘Discipleship’ the journey that we are all

called to make – called by God, equipped by the Holy Spirit. A journey made possible through Jesus Christ.

I hope that as we work through these themed services, as we hear the word of God preached I hope that the

Word of God will enrich our lives. I hope the Word of God will transform our lives. Because once we have had that

encounter with Jesus we are on that special journey as a disciple of Christ. If you want to know more about the

Christian faith then I encourage you to go on Alpha. We never stop learning when we become a follower of

Christ. All who trust in God are life-long students! However old you are – whether you are retired, working,

studying or yet to study we are all students of Jesus Christ. Whether you have come to church for a few weeks, months or for many years, we are all still

students of the Lord.

As we continue on this journey of “Seeking God’s Vision” I pray that we will continue to journey together on the journey of faith as we look and explore together the

theme of discipleship.

God Bless, your servant in Christ Richard.

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News of the family

Concerns are expressed for Auriel and Ray Atkins, Fred

and Margaret Riley, Alastair Linden and family, Geoff and

Margaret Ogden, Elizabeth Hazlehurst, Ken and Marjorie

Farrington, Don and Winifred Schofield, Joan Warner and

her sister Sylvia, Ruth Watson and her family, Peter and

Lesley Sutton, Muriel Sturrock, Lydia Wright, following

the death of her daughter, Eddie Midgely, following the

death of Mavis and Eric and Richard Lumb, following the

death of Jean.

We think also of Ernie and Moira, our tenants in the

cottage, whose car was torched and burnt out on the car

park recently.

Please remember all these people in your prayers, along

with any others who you know of who I have omitted to

mention.

As we approach the beginning of February, may we think

particularly of all the people who have been working so

hard over the past months on the production of “Jesus

Christ Superstar”. What an amazing commitment has

been shown by all concerned. We look forward to the

performances over the weekend of the 9th and 10th of

February and give thanks for all the hard work that has

gone into the production.

I would like to express my thanks for all the concern and support offered to me during my recent illness.

God Bless, Gloria Norbury

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Thank you so very much

for all the love and support shown to me from friends

at Bamford Chapel following my operation on

7th November.

By the time you read this I may be

walking without support.

PETER SUTTON

I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the love and

care that has been given to Don and

myself. The flowers, cakes and lifts

round the area to the hospitals have

been very much appreciated.

Win

To all our wonderful friends at Bamford Chapel.

Words cannot express how thankful Ian and I are for all of your love prayers and support over the last few difficult weeks. We are overwhelmed by your kindness. It is an amazing uplifting and emotional feeling knowing that people are praying for you. It is going to be some time before I am back on my feet but our door is always open. Please feel free to visit if you can. The visitors I have had have really given me a tremendous boost. Again, thank you so much. Love Muriel and Ian.

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JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad

read: 'The man named Lot was warned to take his wife

and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was

turned to salt.' Concerned, James asked: 'What

happened to the flea?'

Don’t miss your chance to see this

production! Tickets selling fast!

Tickets available from John and Angela Hall

after service on Sunday or ring 01706 715193

On Saturday 9th and

Sunday 10th February

Under the direction of Clair Gooding and

Steven Gooding

With lyrics by Tim Rice,

Music by Andrew Lloyd

Webber

Bamford Chapel

presents

An amateur production by arrangement with The Really Useful Company Ltd

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HEYWOOD LOCAL COMMITTEE

CANCER RESEARCH UK

are holding a

ST VALENTINE’S SOUP AND

SWEET LUNCH with a

Bring and Buy Sale and Raffle

Thursday 14th February 2013

12.00pm to 1.30pm

Admission £6.00

at Bamford Chapel, Norden Road,

ROCHDALE, Lancs.

Tickets available from

Lesley Sutton on 01706 638005

Joan Ashton on 01706 360395

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Prayer for de-cluttering

Father,

Sometimes there is so much clutter and rubbish in our

lives and in our hearts that we can’t see where we are, or

where we are going. We can’t find our way and there is

so little room for you to get through, to show us.

Help us to learn to de-clutter regularly; to sweep away

the distractions; to throw out the things that take up the

space we could share more wholesomely with you.

May we co-operate as you spring-clean our hearts Lord.

Help us to make it easy for you to reach us, to sort us

out and to fill each part of us with your cleansing Holy

Spirit, so that your love will shine through our lives to

draw others to you.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

By Daphne Kitching

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Please sign up under the clock or see Barbara

Redmond. Thank you

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Bamford Chapel

Lunchtime Concert

Tuesday 12th February

Lunch available at 12 noon

Concert at 12.45 pm

Tryptique (piano, flute and voice)

Maya Irgalina brings two of her RNCM friends with their own remarkable blend of music superbly performed.

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A heavenly Valentine

For God so loVed the world

That he gAve

His onLy

begottEn

SoN

That whosoever

Believeth In him

Should Not perish

But have Everlasting life.

Jn 3:15

Winner!!

Margaret Entwistle won the first prize in the raffle at St Paul's Christmas invitation to the ladies.

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St Theresa’s Prayer

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are

meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are

born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and

pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow

your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

Based on Saint Theresa's Prayer

by John Michael Talbot

Christ has no body now but yours

No hands, no feet on earth but yours

Yours are the eyes through which He looks

Compassion on this world

Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good

Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the

world

Yours are the hands

Yours are the feet

Yours are the eyes

You are His body

Christ has no body now on earth but yours

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Churches Together in North West Rochdale are holding a Lent

Course over 6 Thursday lunchtimes.

The dates and venues for February are shown below.

All welcome.

14th February 12.30pm – 2pm Norden Methodist Church. 21st February 12.30pm – 2pm Bamford Chapel URC. 28th February 12.30pm – 2pm Bamford Chapel URC

You may remember that Ian

Sturrock raised funds for Francis House Children’s

Hospice last year on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Following this event Gloria

Norbury donated one of her bears to the charity. Karen

Flower from Francis House has recently sent this letter of appreciation.

Dear Gloria, To let you know ‘Hareatio’ that you most kindly donated

to Francis House last year, took part in the silent auction at our Christmas Charity Ball at Mere Golf and Country Club in December last year. You’ll be delighted

to hear he raised £160! Thank you again for your support of Francis House

Children’s Hospice. Kind regards Karen

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Coffee rota

Could I once again extend my (and the congregation's) gratitude

for the efforts made every Sunday by those people providing the

drinks which the majority of us enjoy after service.

I am always looking out for anyone (come on you men too!) who

would like to help with making drinks, serving and washing up on

Sunday mornings. It is a good way of meeting people who you

may have seen but not spoken to and if you are a regular on the

rota it is only every two months that you are called on to help. It

would be super if I had a few names of people who would be

prepared to step in on the odd occasion when others are unable

to do their rota due to unforeseen circumstances. This is rare as

people usually arrange their own swops for holidays etc. Even if

called on, you will always be with two other "old hands" who

know what to do so please

feel free to see me and

volunteer for the odd time

if you are able.

I would like to express my

thanks again to all the

ladies who are currently on

the rota or have been

previously, most of whom

have helped provide this

valuable service.

Diane H

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BARN DANCE

7pm FRIDAY

22nd MARCH

ST VINCENT PARISH CENTRE

CALDERSHAW ROAD, ROCHDALE

(FULLY LICENCED BAR)

TICKETS £7.00 - FAMILY TICKET £25.00

PRICE INCLUDES POTATO/CHEESE PIE SUPPER

PROCEEDS IN AID OF OUR TEENAGERS’ CHARITY

WORK ABROAD IN 2013

Please see Lyn Jefferies, Carole

Greaves, Carol Morris, Janet

Crompton for more details

and tickets.

Limited number of tickets available so book early

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A New Commandment

I give you a new commandment, that you should love

one another, just as I have loved you, so you too

should love one another. By this shall all know that you

are my disciples, if you love one another, if you keep

on showing love among yourselves—John 13, vv 34, 35

(amplified bible)

So says Jesus, in his last message to the disciples

before he was arrested. His last most important

message to them was to tell them to love each other,

not to fight for the cause, or to remember to write it all

down, or keep preaching, but to love each other. Then

he said that by this would all men know that they

were his disciples. Not by performing miracles, or

great speeches, but by the kind of love that they had

for each other. Love such as Jesus had for them,

willing to forget his own needs, to be a servant, to

forgive.

What an amazing statement, that Jesus said all people

would know that we are his disciples, just because of

the love that we have one for another in the church. In

the battle for the kingdom, in wanting people to know

the good news about the love of Jesus for them, what is

our secret weapon? Is it fine preaching? Is it prayer

and fasting? Is it knowledge of the bible? Is it

community work? Of course all these are important,

but what does Jesus say will make all people know

that we are his disciples.—Love.

1 Corinthians 13 1-3.

Jane Baines

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Six well-loved hymns...

of the lukewarm church!

What an Acquaintance we Have in

Jesus

Where He Leads Me I will Consider

Following

He’s Quite a Bit to Me

Oh How I Like Jesus

Fill My Spoon Lord

It is My Secret What God Can Do

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Fairtrade Fortnight

25th February to 10th March 2013

Look out for events planned for this special two weeks of the year as far as fairtrade is concerned

Fairtrade Fortnight 2013 will be all about baking;

it’s rather a food orientated theme.

Fairtrade Fortnight brings together consumers, retailers, licensees, businesses, producers and campaigners nationwide

to promote awareness and sales of Fairtrade products and campaign on issues of trade justice.

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Biblelands Sponsorship

As many of you know, we first started to sponsor children in the Biblelands as a Junior Church initiative over twenty years ago, at the suggestion of Ivor Rees, our minister at the time. Money was raised by Lesley Sutton, through the collection of pennies in Smartie tubes and various other fund raising initiatives. When Lesley resigned as chief fund raiser Patricia took over the responsibility of raising money each year for our two sponsored children. We have sponsored many children over the years, some of them from the Cedars Capability Centre and others from various educational establishments in Lebanon. Each sponsored child now costs the church £216 per year, all of which money has been raised through penny collecting, selling of second hand books, fund raising activities at the Summer Garden party, Christmas Fair and various quizzes.

One of our current children, Vana, attends an Armenian school and we have received a letter from Biblelands to say that they will discontinue support for this school from December 2012. They have also decided that from December this year they will focus on supporting disadvantaged children from a larger number of schools, reaching more children with disabilities and learning difficulties, often from the poorest families. The scheme will be introduced in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem, where the need is most pressing. Consequently, our current sponsorship will finish at the end of this school year.

We are encouraged instead to transfer our support to the new “School for All” project, funding educational programmes for women who have missed out on education in childhood, vocational training and capital grants to schools for items such as new buildings and equipment. This of course means that there will be no more correspondence with named children, but we will receive feedback about children who benefit from the

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project and details of the schools they attend. There is no minimum donation requirement for the Education Programme, but we hope to be able to send a similar amount, that is around £400 each year.

We will still be collecting pennies, selling books and doing other fund raising things, and will continue to display our yearly accounts and any information we receive. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the years.

Please continue to support this very worthwhile project and to remember all the work of the Biblelands society in your prayers.

John Lapworth and Angela Smith

Many thanks to everyone who took part in the ‘Question of religion’ quiz. It raised approx. £50 towards the Biblelands Sponsorship. Our winner was Barbara Lewandowski.

The answers can be found on the next page.

The Sermon this Mum will never forget...

This particular Sunday sermon...'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and

a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust....' He would have continued but at that

moment her daughter who was listening leaned over and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old

girl voice, 'Mum, what is butt dust?'

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Bamford Chapel URC

A QUESTION OF RELIGION A quiz in support of our Biblelands

sponsorship

ANSWERS

1 GERALDINE GRAINGER (3,5,2,6) THE VICAR OF DIBLEY

2 THE RESPONSE TO JIM HACKER, BEFORE HIS ELEVATION (3,8) YES MINISTER

3 A VAUDEVILLE HIT (10,9) WINCHESTER CATHE-DRAL

4 DELIVERED THE `BLACK SPOT’ TO BILLY BONES (5,3) BLIND PEW

5 HOME TO LONDON`S MOST FAMOUS ZEBRA CROSSING (5,4) ABBEY ROAD

6 CORRUPTED MEANS FOR SOMEWHERE TO LIVE (5) MANSE

7 SHOT IN THE STREET IN 1978 (6,6) ERNEST BISHOP

8 HOME TO THE FOOTBALL HORNETS (8,4) VICARAGE ROAD

9 SOUNDS LIKE ITALIAN WASPS – ON TWO WHEELS AS WELL! (7) VESPERS

10 `ALLO `ALLO, THIS IS THE GENERAL (6,7) HILARY MINSTER

11 CLEOPATRA`S CONFUSED KILLER, WITH ENERGY (4) APSE

12 HAD A TELEVISION MADHOUSE (4,5) RUSS ABBOT

13 NORTH, SOUTH, EAST AND WEST (8,6) CARDINAL POINTS

14 A MIXED UP POP STAR LOSES HIS PAPA - ONLY ONCE! (6) PASTOR

15 OFFSPRING DELIVERED BY DUSTY (3,2,1,8,3) SON OF A PREACHER MAN

16 FOUND OFF THE ISLE OF PORTLAND (6,4) PULPIT ROCK

17 HE WAS OK AFTER THE GUNFIGHT AND FOLLOWED IN THE PATHS OF GLORY (4, 7)

KIRK DOUGLAS

18 TRADE UNION BRANCH IN PRINTING AND JOURNALISM (6) CHAPEL

19 60 GOALS IN A SEASON, AND STILL A RECORD (5,4) DIXIE DEAN

20 GRACIE`S REQUEST TO OUR MR BRISK, OR PERHAPS TO DENNIS THE MENACE`S SOFT NEIGHBOUR? (6,6 (4,2,2,3,5))

WALTER,WALTER (LEAD ME TO THE ALTAR)

21 ONE OF THE INNS OF COURT (5,6) INNER TEMPLE

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22 FATHER IN SEVILLE, OR MADRID MAYBE (5) PADRE

23 SUSSEX RACECOURSE (8,4) FONTWELL PARK

24 I LEFT THE TRAIN WITH PART OF A MONTH (8) TRANSEPT

25 THE HUNT RETURNED – NUMBER FOUR CRUISED INTO THE CINEMAS IN DECEMBER 2011 (7,10)

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

26 ... IN THE LIBRARY WITH THE CANDLESTICK? (8,5) REVEREND GREEN

27 BEFORE (5,2) PRIOR TO

28 THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY`S REAR END? (7,4) PARSON`S NOSE

29 THE FIRST EARL OF CHATHAM (7,4,3,5) WILLIAM PITT THE ELDER

30 A SCOTT ROMANCE, FEATURING THE WHITE LADY (3,9) THE MONASTERY

31 IDLE AND COLTRAINE IN HIDING (4,2,3,3) NUNS ON THE RUN

32 SELF ABSORBED BEHAVIOUR WITHOUT THE GAZING AND MI-NUS L(4)

NAVE

33 RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RAPE OF THE LOCK (9,4) ALEXANDER POPE

34 GROUP OF PLOVERS (12) CONGREGATION

35 HARRISON`S HENLEY RESIDENCE (5,4) FRIAR PARK

36 LOWEST TIER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT (6,7) PARISH COUNCIL

37 A TROLLOPE NOVEL (3,5) THE CHOIR

38 THE MISSING MILLIONAIRE PROVIDED FOR HIS DEBUT (6,5) SEXTON BLAKE

39 MAKE AN EFFORT AFTER BIGGER`S CREATION (7) CHANTRY

40 ACCOMPANIED MR PICKETT ON HIS MONSTER HIT (5-7) CRYPT-KICKERS

41 A PLACE OF REFUGE (9) SANCTUARY

42 US JAZZ PIANIST AND COMPOSER WHO WAS ROUND IN THE MIDDLE! (10,6,4)

THELONIOUS SPHERE MONK

43 PART OF GEORGE OSBOURNE IN OFFICE (6) *January 2012 CHANCEL

44 A CHILDRENS` NOVEL FROM MACBETH (3,7,4) THE RECTORY MICE

45 PURPOSE OF HEAVY WATER OR GRAPHITE IN NUCLEAR REAC-TORS (9)

MODERATOR

46 HECKLEY`S FINEST (7,6) CHARLIE PRIEST

47 INSANITY, MADNESS (4,2,3,6) BATS IN THE BELFRY

48 STORY OF A HARE, FROM MR BLAIR IN DISGUISE (3,10,8) THE CLERGYMAN`S DAUGHTER

49 SEARCH TODD SMITH FOR THE ANSWER – COOL! (4,3,5) DOWN THE AISLE

50 DERIVED FROM TRUE HUMILITY (7,3) CURATE`S EGG

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Flowers for Valentine’s Some husbands are thoughtful and buy their wives

flowers on Valentine’s Day. And then there is my

husband. One day I couldn’t stand it any longer. “Why

don’t you ever bring me flowers?”

“What’s the point?” asked my husband. “They die after

about a week.”

“So could you,” I shot back, “but I still like having you

around.”

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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 2013

Articles to be handed in by: Sunday 10th February 2013

Magazine to be completed by: Thursday 21st February 2013

Magazine distributed: Sunday 24th February 2013

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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

Telephone: 01706 369622

Minister : Rev Richard Bradley

Email: richardbradley@cantab.net

Church Secretary: Ian Sturrock

Telephone: 01706 653109

Email: i.sturrock@talktalk.net

Wedding Secretary: John Lapworth

Telephone: 01706 632460

Email: john@lapworth37.plus.com

Lettings Manager: Linda Kerford

Telephone: 01706 624256

Email: l.kerford@btinternet.com

Times of Services: Family Worship : 10.30 am : Holy Communion 1

st Sunday in month

Evening Worship : 6.00 pm : Holy Communion 3rd Sunday in month