St Luke's Church, Eccleshill, Bradford, UK

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Church of England Newspaper, 5th June 2003

World Cup hymn in singsong

A northern vicar who has composed hymns to tunes including I'm a Little Teapot and Scooby Doo is holding a sponsored sing to raise money for church funds, writes Michael Brown.

The Rev John Hartley, of St Luke's, Eccleshill, Bradford, is offering members of his congregation the chance to sponsor him to shut up.

Over the past few years his numbers have included a hymn for the World Cup, to the tune of Match of the Day, one on whether the risen Jesus wqas a ghost, to the tune of Scooby Doo, and another about Christians receiving the Holy Spirit to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot.

The singing and playing Mr Hartley (pictured) said this week: "I think the congregation may be getting tired of my rhyming rubbish but will they part with money to make me stop?"

Mr Hartley's World Cup song included 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.

The event, during a church coffee morning to be held this Saturday, will also offer the chance to sponsor singers and to request favourite hymns.

 

Please note the photo is courtesy of the Bradford Telegraph & Argus

 

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This web page was last updated on 28th June 2003.