BUNNYTHORPE METHODIST CHURCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 307, 25 November 1932, Page 4

BUNNYTHORPE METHODIST CHURCH.

45th ANNIVERSARY. Brightness was the keynote of the 45th anniversary celebrations at the Bunnythorpe Methodist Church on Sunday and Wednesday, 20th and 23rd inst. The choir, assisted by eomo local helpers, was under the baton of Mr W.-Eggleton, and by responding to him so well did credit both to themselves and him. Miss Mavis Wood, with artistic skill, presided at tho organ and ncoornpanied all the music used in tho celebrations. Miss Edna Jcpsen (violinist) and Mr Roy Jepscn (’cellist) greatly added to the effectiveness of tho, instrumental portions of the music, both on Sunday and Wednesday. There were two good congregations on Sunday, tho preacher being the pastor, Rev. R. E. Fordyce, who took as his text in t.ho morning St. John 14:27, “Peace I leave witli you, my peace I give unto you, not as tho world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart bo troubled, neither let, it be afraid,” showing how all may obtain serenity of rnind and, spirit in these troubled days. At the evening service the text chosen was I. Jn. 1.3: “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you,” tho preacher mentioning personal experiences of tho working of the Holy Spirit, and also making a brief notice of t.he work of tho Oxford Group Movement which is accomplishing such a wonderful work in all parts of the world today. At both services the choir rendered several anthems, the solo and duet, portions being skilfully sung by Misses Proctor and James and Mr Jackson. The floral decorations provided by Mrs J. Scheldt and Miss Proctor wero very beautiful.

A happy company gathered in the schoolroom for the tea, and doubt as to the advisability of providing it was soon dispelled. Tho arrangements wore as usual in the capable hands of the members of the Ladies’ Guild under tho leadership of Mrs J. Scheidt and Mrs J. W. Wood. Young men from the Bible Class erected the tables. The concert programme was artistically renderod and cordially received. Numerous concerted items were provided by tho choir, while Mrs Heggio and Mr Jackson rendered solos, and Miss Merlo Heggie recited and received a clamorous encore. Mr J. H. Fowler (secretary and treasurer of the Trust) read a comprehensive report and presented the annual bal-ance-sheet. Mr Fowler expressed the thanks of the trustees for the great amount of gratuitous work which hod been done during tho year. Rev. R. E. Fordyce, presiding, welcomed Rev. C. G. H. Bycroft ns the speaker for the evening, expressing the pleasure of all at Rev. Mr Bycroft consenting to address the gathering. The chairman spoke of tho Providence of God in allowing them to enjoy another year together as minister and people. “Ho is happy in his work and anticipates a good year of further efforts.” Often a minister had to choose between being popular and being faithful. He was determined to bo faithful, and rejoiced in the goodwill of spiritually-minded people. The work of the past year had only been made possible by tho loyal help .of many people to whom tho church officials were truly grateful. Both tho chairman and Mr Fowler expressed thanks to the local preachers, the motorists, the Sunday school teachers, tho Ladies’ Guild, young people and the choir for all tho help given. The Faith Effort had met with a good response, but there are still those who have not availed themselves of tho privilege of helping both by prayer and gifts. The two oldest members of the church (Mr and Mrs H. Little), being present, were welcomed. Rev. C. G. H. Bycroft received a cordial welcomo on rising to speak. After reference to his early connections with Methodism, the speaker proceeded to base his address on the rebuilding of tho wall of Jerusalem by Nehemiah, taking as the key thought of his eloquent address the words of Nehemiah 6.3: “I am doing a great, work so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease, whilst I leave it and come down to you ?” Nehemiah was hindered in his work hv enemies who employed tho tactics of ridicule, force and cunning. He refused to be turned aside from his work of rebuilding tho wall. “The work of the Christian Church m tho greatest work on earth and Christians .must not be turned aside from it.” Ridicule, force and cunning were the devil’s weapons even to-day for .interfering with the work of the Church. “The work of the Church is vital to tho well-being of your world.” The elevating nature of Christian work was mentioned. What should our attitude be towards the Church? That of wholehearted support. “There are plenty who would sidetrack Christians from their essential work. We must display the Nehemiah spirit and go right on with our work, being faithful to our Lord by tlje help of His Spirit.” The chairman mentioned in detail the fine lot of gratuitous work which had been done on the chureh property recently. Mr Olaf Jepscn and Mr Gordon Lassen had been greatly assisted by some of the men of the church in planting the spare section with potatoes, the proceeds from which will be devoted to tho Trust Fund. The men had also scythed and mowed the lawns and thus beautified the church grounds. This work was strenuous and the workers were thanked by the church for what they had done. The members of the Ladies’ Guild and of the Young Men's Bible Class who spring cleaned the <church and schoolroom were thanked for their good work. Tho ladies also received cordial thanks for the tea which they had so generously provided. The splendid help so constantly rendered to the church bv the choir, tho choirmaster, the organist and the instrumentalists, was recognised with the church’s thanks, and an expression of appreciation of the work of .those who enmo into tho choir to help for tho occasion was also given. Mr E. Clevoly, in a neat speech, proposed a vote of thanks to alt these who had assisted to make these celebrations so bright and so successful. After the singing of the Doxologv, Rev. Mr Bvcroft pronounced the Benediction.