Herringthorpe United Reformed Church
HURC SUNDAYS
SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE - 10.30 am
Our morning services typically last about one hour and consist
of hymns and choruses, a short childrens address, a sermon and prayers. Following the childrens address those over 3 years of age go to their
junior church whilst, for the smaller children, there is a creche available
to which the service is relayed so that it can be heard by parents who
wish to stay with them 
Our Sunday morning service includes communion on the first Sunday
of each month and a parade/family service on the third Sunday of each month. Every service is followed by a time of fellowship over a tea or coffee..
Our Sunday morning services are taped and copies may be purchased.
Contact - Alan Stagles on 01709 542095
EVENING SERVICE - 6.00 pm
There is a Praise and Prayer service on the second and fourth Sunday of each month excepting AUGUST when there are no services. There are normally no services on
other Sunday evenings in each month.
Herringthorpe URC is a disability friendly church with
wheelchair access, large
print hymn books and a
hearing system available for all services. Transport, within the local area, can be arranged to facilitate attendance for persons with mobility problems.
Contact - Chris Issitt - 01709 533 549
HURC has a team of pastoral visitors. If you are, or anyone you know is, in
need of a little company for a cup of tea and a chat, please contact
Kath Whitehead on 01709 373 896
Is our Youth Group which meets, in the Church, at 4.00 pm on the
second and fourth Sunday of each month during term time
MINISTERS MUSINGS
As I write this I have just returned from Edinburgh where our General Assembly took place. Over my years of attending General Assembly I have to say this has been one of the best for being uplifting and inspirational.
Yes of course there was the usual business of the financial report, etc., but the whole tone was positive. We inducted a new General Secretary along with new moderators and people to new assembly posts. The new General Secretary is Revd Roberta Rominger and her address was so inspiring and encouraging, I wish you could have all heard it.
We also heard about the re-launch of REFORM our national magazine and there will be free copies of this months available to everyone so do read it and if you think it worth while why not subscribe to it and see what is happening in the national church. The moderator of assembly conducted business in a light and humorous fashion but kept us all focused on the business in front of us.
At assembly there are extra interest group meetings and I went to the one hosted by GEAR (Group for Evangelism and Revival) again I brought back some of their magazines, being on the train I could not carry one for everyone but they will be in the church lounge for those who are interested. You can put yourself on the mailing list and receive their publication free; again it is worth reading.
In attending assembly and reading magazines it helps to remind us of our amazing God, Jesus told stories of Good News and there are still stories out there of Good News and it is such an encouragement to us all to know that God is still on the move. There was a children’s assembly running along side our assembly and they were amazing I hope to have a short DVD that they showed to share with you all at church meeting, I have requested one, again such encouragement of the church alive and kicking.
This year we celebrate 50 years of being on this site as a church community; 50 years of praising God and trying to spread the good news in this area where we live; that is worth celebrating so keep an eye on our own communications, (this magazine, the weekly sheet and the website as well as the notices given each Sunday) for details of how we will do that. You can read more about this on the HURC GOSSIP page on this site.
Some people have been in this church since it began others have come since but we are all the people of God together in one family and together spreading the news of Jesus Christ; let us join then with all our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and be proud of the Good News we have to offer.
We hear so often in our papers and on our TV’s ‘bad news’ but Jesus came to show us the love of God for all of creation and God is still that same God, yesterday, today and forever, let us then shout loudly and proclaim His love to all as we go on to serve him in the next 50 years and beyond.
LOCAL CHURCHES 'SONGS OF PRAISE'
Sunday 17th August at 4.00pm
To be held at Herringthorpe United Reformed Church
Come along and share with our friends from the other local churches singing our favourite hymns. Anyone who has a favourite hymn they would like to sing please let Rev Pauline know ASAP.
PRAISE & PRAYER SERVICES
When we began these services they were meant to be informal and to allow space for prayer and for the movement of God’s Spirit. We have also offered prayer for healing or for a situation during these services and many have found that helpful; we have seen God’s answer to prayer. Others have found the time of quiet a very helpful time. I think the title of these services has led some to feel that they are perhaps all loud and ‘happy clappy’; let me assure you that is not the case. However, from September we are to re-launch these services and my intention is to do things slightly differently, yet still hoping to allow the freedom of God’s Spirit to move.
We will continue to hold theses services on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at 6.00 pm. There will be praise at the beginning of the service as now, and that is not just with new songs, (not all ‘happy clappy’). We’ll use a mixture of the vast amount of worship hymns and songs that are available. There are some wonderful traditional hymns that have good theology that we use to praise our God with and there are also some wonderful new songs so we continue to praise our God with all of them.
My intention after praising God is to offer reflection for our prayers followed by space and time to pray quietly in our own hearts and minds or together as a believing community. Of course if there is anyone who needs private prayer that will always be available confidentially. Do come and share with your fellow believers in these services as we seek God together praising and thanking Him for all he does and seeking Him in prayer for our needs and our concerns as well as waiting on Him for His leading and guiding.
MEN'S BREAKFAST
The men’s breakfast usually takes place on the first Saturday of every month (excluding August). In September, we are holding a children’s club on the 6th and therefore the breakfast will take place on the 13th September. If you enjoy a good old fry-up (or even a healthy option), then come along and enjoy a good meal and fellowship from 9.15am.
TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDIES
We have now broken up for our summer break but will resume Bible Study on Tuesday 23rd September. Can I encourage anyone who does not normally come to Bible Study or go to one of the other fellowship groups that meet through the week to come and join us? It does not matter where you are in your understanding of the Bible, which is the idea of sharing together as we all try to discern what God is saying to us in the Bible. The evening takes the following shape. There is a fellowship meal between 6pm and 7pm. Not everyone comes to that but for those who like to share a meal with others, particularly those who normally have to eat alone, and for those who are coming straight from work, these meals are valuable.
At 7.00pm we begin with a short time of worship and any relevant notices.
After which we either have a DVD presentation or a short talk about the Bible passage we are going to look at, after which we break for coffee before we go into 4 different groups. These groups help us to discuss the Bible and to hear others views but they are light hearted and not heavy in any way, everyone’s views are valued and if you are quiet and reserved there is no pressure to say anything if you don’t want to. These groups also form a good source of fellowship and care for each other.
Why not give us a try in September when we recommence. If you need transport that can be arranged and I am sure you will find your faith uplifted by sharing with others in this way.
Finally, a few words of thanks.
To Julie Bentley who has given many years of service to both Junior Church and crèche and has now had to relinquish her role due to increasing pressures of work.
Also to Dawn Matthews who has given 4 years service to the senior class in junior church and is moving on to pastures new. We all wish Dawn the very best in whatever God has planned for her. One of Dawn’s responsibilities was to be our “Commitment for Life” contact. If anyone feels this could be an area of church life that you could help with, please speak to Pauline?
It is appropriate at this time to thank everyone who gives service in this church without which we would not be able to do His work in this place
Your friend and minister
Pauline
PS If you can play an instrument or can sing in tune and you would be interested in joining a music group, I have some good news! In September there are going to be practice sessions on alternate Sundays at 4.00 at the church, with the intention of developing a group that will start to contribute to Sunday morning worship. The first session will be on 14th September. If you are interested, please let Steve Roddison or Caroline Chettleburgh know – or just turn up.
For further information about HURC services or activities please telephone
Rev Pauline Calderwood 01709 370 287 (Office); 01709 741 112 (Home);
07956 095 113 (Mobile) or CLICK HERE
Office Address:
Wickersley Road
Rotherham
South Yorkshire
S60 4JN