What’s Happening
Thought
Next year Good News Church celebrates 90 years on Old Road.
This Chapel was originally built as a United Methodist Free Chapel in 1871 on land bought off the Jodrell estate.
By 1920 the Chapel had become a Liberal Club known as Partington Hall and the United/ Free Methodist cause seems to have ceased.
In 1919, as servicemen returned from WW1, a group joined together and felt the call to found a Free Evangelical Church and met in rented premises above shops. The cause grew and sought premises for worship.
After purchasing Partington Hall from the Liberal Club, it became a Church again - Gospel Hall - in 1937.
The bar and billiard tables were removed and a pulpit and stage built as the building returned to its original purpose! It was certified again as a place of meeting for Christian religious worship by Robert Dickinson James a haulage contractor and church office holder and trustee on 7th July 1938.
In the 1990s the name Gospel Hall (still the registered name of the building with Royal Mail and the authorities) was re-named by the church as Good News Church.
We would love to have information from anyone who has any photos or records of the Church, activities and ministry, or the building. I have shared an old picture on Facebook of the Liberal Club.
The history is fascinating and we hope to gather together accounts of the work of God here and the people involved over the years. It is amazing when looking round these walls to think of all the prayers said, Bible readings shared, hymns and songs sung in praise and worship, meals shared, lives remembered, baptisms celebrated and various children's / family activities hosted.
We celebrate and give thanks for the church here - the people who have met worshipping and seeking God together since 1937 and before that in rented premises. The reason churches - and this church - were founded was to be a place of divine worship, a community of Christians to be family and do life together and to shine the hope and light of the gospel (good news) of Jesus to this neighbourhood.
In a world which has changed greatly over 90 years, we need to continue to place our hope and trust in the unchangeable Father God who meets us and saves us when we turn to Him, to seek renewal by his Spirit and to follow in the ways of His son, our Saviour Jesus.
As ever if anyone has any questions, struggles or encouragements in faith then get in touch and I would love to chat over a brew.
Rob Cross, Pastor
Goodnewschurch.whaleybridge@gmail.com
Services
Sunday 6th September 10.30am Morning Communion Service
Good News People – Week 1. Text is 1 Cor 15 1-11, Rob preaching
Sun 13th September 10.30am Morning Service
Good News People – Week 2. Text is Acts 4 1-37. Rob preaching.
Sun 20th September 9.30am - Breakfast Church at. Starting with coffee / tea, juice and breakfast. With a Bible story and activities.
6.30pm Evening Communion and Healing service.
Sun 27th September 10.30am Morning Service.
Good News People – Week 3. Text is Acts 17 v16-34.
Sun 4th October 10.30am Morning Service
Good News People – Week 4. Text is 2 Cor 4 v7-18.
Prayer
Join us on Sundays for 9.45am for prayer before the service and Thursdays 7.30am on zoom.
Prayer for youth and revival – Friday morning 9 - 10am on Zoom. See Cheryl for details
There are prayer cards if you would like something specific praying for.
There is a secure postbox for completed cards! We are pleased to offer private prayer by the prayer team in the vestry after services.
Midweek events
TNT Youth –after school for secondary young people in term time.
Housegroups –
· Daytime group – 10.30am Thursdays
· Evening group – 7.30pm Thursdays (venues rotate)
Housegroups will use the Good News People resources and follow on from the Sunday messages
· Thursday 10th September – Week 1 Good News People – who are we? (Looking at Chapters 1 and 2 of the book).
· Thursday 17th September – Week 2 – Brave and Kind (Looking at Chapter 4 of the book)
· Thursday 24th September – No housegroup – Safeguarding training.
· Thursday 1st October – Week 3 Culturally relevant without selling out (Looking at Chapter 5 of the book)
Other dates
Book group – Next meeting 7pm Tuesday 8th September at Sandra’s.
Come to coffee –Wednesday 9th September and Thursday 22nd October 10.30am at Church
Wednesday 9th Sept – Education and youth focus Evening service –at Uniting Church using some Education Sunday themes and celebrating 5 years of Open the Book in Whaley Bridge.
Thursday 10th September – CTWB Luncheon Club. See poster for details.
Pizza and Games night – 5-7pm Friday 11th September at church. Activities and a Bible thought. All welcome.
Songs of Praise with WB Brass Band - Saturday 12th Sept – 12 noon at the Canal Basin.
CTWB Forum meeting Tuesday 15th September 7.30pm at WBUC
Missionary Evening – Monday 21st September to hear from Pete and Linda. 7-9pm at Bramhall Baptist Church.
Open the Book in local schools - Wed 23rd September.
Annual GNC safeguarding refresher – Thursday 24th September at church, starting with pizzas 6.30pm. Training 7-8.30pm.
Members’ meeting – Sunday 27th September after Church.
CTWB prayer meeting Tuesday 13th October – 7pm at Taxal Church.
Managing Anxiety – 10am-4pm Saturday 24th October, led by Wendy at Church.
Edale 2027
Date for the diary - 2-4 April 2027 for our families weekend.
Please do get in touch with any pastoral or prayer needs or suggestions.
Church leader - Rob Cross 01663 750435 goodnewschurch.whaleybridge@gmail.com
Books – We have a number of Christian books available to borrow - please take a look