3rd June 1927 - Congregational Church Anniversary

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Barkway

Congregational Church Anniversary

On Thursday, May 26th, very uplifting services were held at the Barkway Congregational Church in connection with the Church Anniversary.

In the afternoon Divine Service was conducted by Rev. C.G. Thompson, B.A., of Bedford, who preached on "The meaning of Home," basing his remarks on the story of the Prodigal Son.

Tea followed.

The Rev. John Cole, of Buntingford, presided at the public meeting in the evening, and spoke on "The Church - the Body of Christ."

Mr G.C. Wilson, of Hormead, offered prayer, and a very helpful and practical lecture was delivered by Rev. C.G. Thompson on "Psychology in Everyday Life."

At the close, Rev. W.E. Mawby expressed the thanks of the Church to the speakers.

Offerings and proceeds were on behalf of the Church Funds.

16th November 1923 - Armistice Day

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Buntingford

Armistice Day

Armistice day at Buntingford was celebrated in a very solemn manner.

At 10.30 a.m. a procession was formed in Church Street. The procession comprised the Town Band, under Bandmaster E.Smith; strong muster of Ex-Service men, under the command of Captain G. Scaborough Taylor; the Buntingford troop of Boy Scouts, under Scoutmaster C. Miles; Girl Guides, in charge of Miss N. Ashford; and a section of Special Constables.

The procession marched to the town War Memorial, where the Ex-Service men and other bodies took up their allotted positions. The Rev. A. Howard, the Rev. Byers-Jones, Mr F.J. Cole, and the Buntingford Corps of the Salvation Army joined the parade at the War Memorial.

A large number of townspeople took part in the memorial service, which opened with the hymn "O God, our help in ages past."

The following a stirring address by the Rev. A. Howard, who said: "We are assembled here this morning around our War Memorial, first to thank God for victory and peace, and to remember the truth of the words on the Memorial on the wall of St Peter's, "Theirs is the Victory." Then we must remember and be thankful for the splendid courage of the men who laid down their lives for their King and Country, their home, and we hope also, their God.

We need to pray that we may show our gratitude by leading fearless, selfless, Christ-like lives. That those still sorrowingg over the empty place, or places, in the home may be comforted by the "Father of mercies, and God of all comfort." We will pray, too, specially for the Ex-Service men and others still suffering in various and grievous ways from the effects of the unspeaklably awful war."

He concluded with the striking words of General Smuts: "We semm once more to be hanging [?] into a dark night, and the outcome of the new adventure is hid from everyone but God. Yet I have a conviction that out of all this evil, good will come. The great moral causes of humanity were born not in victory but in defeat, and they are all being defeated today."

The Church paper from which called comments as follows: "What braver text could there be on which to found an appeal for the re-dedication of our country to the will and purpose of God in faith, that his kingdom will come."

After the address, Captain G. Scarborough Taylor read out the names of the glorious dead, whose names are perpetuated on the War Memorial. At stroke of 11 a.m. the Ex-Service men, Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides were called to attention, and the two minutes' silence observed.

After the hymn "Fight the good fight" had been sung, prayers were said by Mr F.J. Cole, the new minister at the Congregational Church.

A large number of beautiful wreathes were laid at the base of the Memorial. The Ex-Service men's wreath consisted of laurel leaves and Flanders poppies, tied with the national colours. Other wreathes were from the members of the Congregational Church, the Buntingford troop of Boy Scouts, the Girl Guides, the Senior School and the Special Constables.

After saluting at the foot of the memorial, the parade marched up to the Market Hill. The band played the National Anthem, after which the parade dismissed. Many persons attended the Special services which were held at St Peter's, and at the Congregational Church, immediately after the ceremony.

The Boy Scouts Shrine, which throughout the year has tributes of flowers, due to the kind attention of Miss Lushington, was specially decoated with evergreen and Flanders poppies.

A special Memorial Service was held at the Congregational Church during the evening. There was a croweded congregation, and the Buntingford Town Band accompanied the hymns. 

The new minister, the Rev. F.J. Cole preached an inspiring sermon. He took for his text "Oh, for a drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate." The collection at the evening service amounted to £3 4s., which was devoted to Church funds, and the British Legion Local Relief Fund.

2nd November 1923 - New Minister

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New Minister

Mr F.J. Cole commences his ministry at the Buntingford Congregational Church on Sunday next.

A very hearty invitation is extended to all friends to attend the services on that day to welcome Mr Cole.

A social evening will be held on Thursday, Nov. 8th, to give friends a further opportunity of meeting Mr Cole.

We offer our best wishes to the new minister.

18th June 1926 - Buntingford Congregational Church

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Buntingford Congregational Church

Church Anniversary Services

Very successful and encouraging services were held on Wednesday week at the Congregational Church in connection with the Church Anniversary. There were very good congregations, including visitors from the neighbouring Churches.

Rev. W.T. Hailstone (Braughing), Rev. W.E. Mawby (Barkway) and Mr J.W. Harvey (Wood End) were also present. Mr Herbert Cutts was at the organ.

In the afternoon Divine Service was conducted by the Rev. T.H. Cooper, M.A., of Bushey, Herts., and Chairman of the Herts Congregational Union. Taking the texts, Rom. xiv. 7, "None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself," and Genesis xxxii. 24, "And Jacob was left alone," Mr Cooper preached on the following lines: One of the greatest reasons for attending church services is that we may see life in its proper setting and proportion.

Day by day we are confronted with whatever makes our life's work. But we have spirits to be trained, and a real kinship with God Himself; then it is necessary that we start apart from life and look at it from the standpoint of Eternity and of God.

We go into the House of God that we may look at life from that deeper standpoint which makes us aware of ourselves also to those Churches which, in the wider Congregational life of the county, he would visit as Chairman. He extended a cordial welcome to Mr I. Bell, of Puckeridge, who was to be the Chairman for the evening meeting; and to the Ministers and other friends from the surrounding churches.

At the evening public meeting Mr Bell made an excellent chairman, and though he contended that speaking in public was not his strong point yet he carried out the duties of his office very ably.

Mr Mawby produced a deep impression by his earnest address, which was along the lines of the Ministry and the Pew. The Ministry was a life of continual discovery; there should be a "Fellowship" existing between Pulpit and Pew. He appealed for life to be lived from the supreme standpoint of Christ. We must never lose our place in the visible Church, and since we are the salt of the earth we must see to it that the salt never loses its savour.

Mr Cooper said that an anniversary occasion ought to be a time for a retrogression to Jesus Christ, so that we might maintain the purity of the tone of our lives, and be reminded again that to serve Him is the most inspiring thing in life.

Sometimes amid the problems of life, we seem to be making no impression, but we must take heart and courage and keep plodding on where God has placed us. As we get back to Christ we shall be more fruitful in service and more loyally His followers...The Christian Church rightly understood is none other than the Body of Christ; of this Body Christ makes use; He wants to do through the Church the same kind of thing that He did when He was here in the flesh.

The Church's concern will be primarily the spiritual interest of the community; she is also called upon to bear witness for her Lord, and it is in so far as the witness of everyone is added together that the music of life rises to God in sweetness. So we must keep the tone of our Christian service pure by caring for the things Jesus Christ cared for. So shall the Church be a true Church of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

During the meeting the Minister reported on the work of the Church and Sunday School, and at the close expressed the deep thanks of the Church to Mr Cooper, Mr Mawby and Mr Bell for their most helpful services and inspiring messages; to the Ladies' Committee, and whose who had assisted them in the preparations for the tea; to Mr Cutts, and to all who by time, service or gifts had contributed to the success of the occasion.

Offerings were taken during the day, and the financial results were also very satisfactory. The Benediction brought a most uplifting and encouraging Anniversary to a close.