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

PLEASE PRAY with thanks for the perseverance and bravery of all those involved in the rescue of the boys and their coach from the flooded caves in Thailand, and for the family and friends of the Navy Seal who lost his life. Sometimes we are called to put others before ourselves, whatever the consequence. Help us to be brave and to persevere.

READ THE GOOD NEWS – Mark 6, 14-­29 – God gave us a conscience. Let us pray that we are able to listen to it and act upon it, even if that means not going along with the crowd.

PRAYER AND WORSHIP IN THE COMING WEEK

Monday 16th July
9.30am Morning Prayer, Christ Church

Tuesday 17th July
9.30am Morning Prayer, St Mary’s

Wednesday 18th July
09.00am BCP Holy Communion, St Bart’s
10.00am Meltham Churches Together Prayers for the Community, St Bart’s

NEXT SUNDAY 22nd July
09.30am Holy Communion, St Bart’s
09.30am Holy Communion, St James’
11.15am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
11.15am Holy Communion, Christ Church

Other dates for your diary
Friday 20th July – 9am–3pm St James’ Operation Christmas Child working group – come along to help with the preparation of shoe boxes, and to meet old friends and new (every Friday until November with the exception of August 3,10,17 and 24).
10am -­ 12 St James’, Community Card Group
10.30am -­ 12 St Bart’s, Coffee and Chat.