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From the Bradford Telegraph and Argus, 27th May 2002.
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A vicar has made a tactical move by changing his mass time to ensure his footie-mad congregation keep the World Cup spirit.
The Reverend John Hartley, pictured, has organised a special soccer service to kick off at 3pm on June 2 so as not to clash with England's opener against Sweden in Japan.
And he is inviting parishioners at St Luke's Church in Eccleshill to wear football strips and bring flags to wave during the service.
Mr Hartley, who has penned a hymn to the tune of Match of the Day, will also read a sermon called Make Jesus The Centre Forward Of Your Life.
He said: "The world cup kick-off clashes with the usual 10.30am service at St Luke's so we wanted to release people from the dilemma of whether to watch the football or come to church and we also wanted to do something creative."
The vicar's hymn includes the lines: Before I met the Saviour Jesus, my life was full of holes: I couldn't do the good I wanted, I couldn't score my goals. My field was open to attackers, the enemy got through - but when Jesus came to be my Lord, he made my life all new."
Mr Hartley, who once wrote to England captain David Beckham urging him not to have his son Brooklyn baptised, said the service would also be a chance for people to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee with prayers and song.
"We have some keen football supporters in our congregation, as well as leading members of local branches of political parties, and we want to make a special effort to give God thanks for our national life and our sport."
A celebration tea, which has been boosted with a grant from the Newlands Partnership, will take place, regardless of the score, at 4.30pm in the church's newly-opened basement rooms.
Meanwhile, pastor Rob Fry has installed a giant screen at Rawdon's New Life Community Church and has invited his flock to watch the England / Sweden match.
The self-confessed Sven Goran Ericksson worshiper has also switched the mass to an evening slot.
Church-goers at St Peter's in Shipley will be stepping up to strike from the penalty spot at a World Cup service dubbed The Ultimate Goal on June 9.
A set of goalposts will be put up in the centre aisle during the 11.15am service at the church on Moorhead Lane, and people will be invited to take part in a sporting quiz.
The vicar, The Reverend Chris Edmondson, who is a Bradford City season ticket holder, said: "The World Cup is a big event with lots of people watching and as a church we wanted to enter into the spirit of it.
"There are passages in the bible about pressing on towards the goal and we want to connect and celebrate with lots of people, some of whom may not normally come to church."
He said former Bradford City star Wayne Jacobs, who was one of 16 players axed by the club this week, had been invited.