The Vicar Writes – The Church of England in Marsden and Slaithwaite

Bible Readings for Sunday 3rd October

September 27, 2021 Rev Holdsworth Scripture

Harvest Thanksgiving Psalm 126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,then were we like those who dream.Then was our mouth filled with laughterand our tongue with songs of joy.Then said they among the nations,‘The Lord has done great things for them.’The Lord has indeed done great things for us,and therefore we rejoiced.Restore again our fortunes, O Lord,as the river[…]

Bible Readings for Sunday 26th September

September 20, 2021 Rev Holdsworth Scripture

James 5:13-20 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord[…]

Relay to COP26

September 16, 2021 Rev Holdsworth Church life

On Tuesday 14th September St Bartholomew’s Church in Marsden acted as host to both walkers and supporters of the Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) Relay. The walk began in St Ives on the 13th June and will end in Glasgow on Sunday October 31st in time for the UN Climate Conference (COP 26). Members of St John the Baptist Church[…]

Bible Readings for Sunday 19th September

September 13, 2021 Rev Holdsworth Scripture

James 3:13- 4:3,7-8 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For[…]

Benefice trip to Parcevall Hall

September 8, 2021 Rev Holdsworth Retreat

The Churchwardens of St James in Slaithwaite have been regularly taking a small group to Parcevall Hall in Appletreewick. This year, Tim and Barbara Swift extended the invitation to our sisters and brothers at St Bartholomew’s Church in Marsden. Alison Gibson told me, on her return, that it was “like paradise”. I asked Alison for a few words for the[…]

Bible Readings for Sunday 12th September

September 6, 2021 Rev Holdsworth Scripture

Isaiah 50:4-9 The Lord God has given methe tongue of a teacher,that I may know how to sustainthe weary with a word.Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my earto listen as those who are taught.The Lord God has opened my ear,and I was not rebellious,I did not turn backwards.I gave my back to those who struck me,and my cheeks to those[…]

Bible Readings for Sunday 5th September

August 30, 2021 Rev Holdsworth Scripture

Isaiah 35:4-7 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,‘Be strong, do not fear!Here is your God.He will come with vengeance,with terrible recompense.He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,and the ears of the deaf unstopped;then the lame shall leap like a deer,and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.For waters[…]

Bible Readings for Sunday 29th August

August 23, 2021 Rev Holdsworth Scripture

James 1:17-27 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfilment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.[…]

Bible Readings for Sunday 22nd August

August 16, 2021 Rev Holdsworth Scripture

Bible readings for the 12th Sunday of Trinity

Bible Readings for Sunday 15th August

August 9, 2021 Rev Holdsworth Scripture

Bible Readings for The Festival of the Blessed Virgin Mary