Bury Parish Church

03/10/2026

A most amazing concert with Stile Antico in Bury Parish Church today. Sublime music in a perfect acoustic.

03/10/2026

Today at 3pm tickets on sale on the door.
Stile Antico

Stile Antico in Concert at Bury Parish Church, Bury, Lancashire, on Saturday, 3rd October 2026 at 3.00pm. Booking now open. https://www.buryparishchurch.com/stileantico

Stile Antico is firmly established as one of the world’s most accomplished and innovative vocal ensembles. Working without a conductor, its twelve members have thrilled audiences on four continents with their fresh, vibrant and moving performances of Renaissance polyphony. Its bestselling recordings have earned accolades including the Gramophone Award for Early Music, Diapason d’or de l’année, Edison Klassiek Award, and Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. The group has received three Grammy® nominations, and performed live at the 60th Grammy® Awards at Madison Square Garden.

30/09/2026

Join the 171st British Open Champions, the world-famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band at Bury Parish Church
Saturday, 17 October 2026 at 7.00pm
2025 British Open and 2022 Brass in Concert Champions

The Brighouse & Rastrick Band is regarded by many as the best and most consistent ‘public subscription band’ in the world. In its time the majority of premier band championships have been held by ‘Briggus’, most recently becoming National Champion Band of Great Britain in 2017, whilst the band has also attracted a formidable reputation for highly entertaining concerts for both the general public and brass band connoisseur.

The ever popular Brighouse and Rastrick Band caught the ears and imagination of the British public with their recording of “The Floral Dance” holding the No.2 position in the British singles chart for 9 weeks. Even though they were held off the top spot by Paul McCartney, they still achieved sales of over a million, earning both Gold and Silver discs. ‘The Floral Dance’ has now become a permanent feature of the band’s programs as the ‘unofficial’ encore. Over recent years the band has been engaged in a number of very successful music collaborations, outside the brass band tradition, including Kate Rusby, BBC Radio 2 Folk award winners The Unthanks and classical actor Simon Callow.

It is still true to say that no other public subscription band has held such high status for as long as the Brighouse and Rastrick Band!

27/09/2026

Hearing vs. Listening

Throughout the pages of Scripture, there’s a word that gets repeated: "hear," or a related word, "listen." In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "Shema" translates into English as "hear" or "listen" and is often used to emphasize the act of listening, understanding, and obeying.

Today’s culture places value on doing many things at once; we often try to listen while focusing on other tasks, which divides our focus. The sound of someone’s voice might come into our ears, but if we’re also scrolling social media, doing schoolwork, or making a meal, we might not fully understand their words.

But in the biblical context, "hearing" does not simply include sound reception; it also involves active obedience and an effort to understand.

In Mark 4:9, Jesus invites us to listen—to hear and obey, encouraging us to pay careful attention to His words: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Jesus isn't just asking us to audibly hear His words and carry on with our personal agenda; He's urging us to actively listen and obey, to live by His truth. Listening and obeying are what build our faith in Jesus Christ. Hearing the Word of God should lead to a transformed life marked by fruitfulness.

As you reflect on the idea of listening in Scripture, consider your heart and spiritual receptivity. Are you attentive to God's Word, allowing it to transform your life, or is your hearing divided, causing you to resist His call?

26/09/2026

Get Ready

Would a doctor begin an operation without surgical gear? Would a firefighter run into a burning building without a protective suit? Would a soldier head into a battle without armor?

With the exclusion of extreme situations, of course they wouldn’t.

In fact, not only do they spend years preparing for such moments, but they also learn to protect themselves from harm. If they aren’t prepared, they cannot do their job.

Writing to the believers in Ephesus from a Roman prison, the apostle Paul said:

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬

Every day, we face battles that we can’t fully see. And if we’re not prepared, we cannot do our job of loving God and people well.

God’s armor is readily available, but we must make the intentional decision to dress ourselves for battle.

When we intentionally dress ourselves in the armor of God, we can be ready for the attacks that will inevitably come our way.

20/09/2026

The Spiritual Habit of Remembering

Throughout the Old Testament, God delivers the people of Israel from many different situations. He acts miraculously in bringing them out of foreign nations. He even provides water and bread for them in the wilderness.

However, the nation of Israel grew disobedient and distant from God and His law. They ended up turning away from God, and part of the reason was because they failed to remember.

They failed to remember the great acts of deliverance God did for them. They failed to remember the miracles that He performed in their midst. They failed to remember that He was good and present and loving towards them.

But thankfully, there were also people throughout Scripture who developed a spiritual habit of remembering God’s work from the past. When times became difficult, or when things seemed dark, they took the time to remember how God had previously acted toward them.

The writer of Psalm 9 was one of them. The Psalmist begins this song by doing two things. First, the writer gives thanks to God, and expresses gratefulness for God.

Second, the writer recounts God’s wonderful deeds. Recounting these deeds from the past helped the Israelites remember His faithfulness and goodness toward them even in difficult times.

And the same is true for us.

We are commanded many times in God’s Word to remember what God has done, because remembering what God has done fuels our hope for what He will do.

So take some time today to remember what God has done for you. Think about a season of your life where you knew God’s goodness and love. Tell Him how grateful you are for His goodness and love in your life. Begin to let those memories of God’s love shape your hope for the future.

18/09/2026

Stile Antico in concert at Bury Parish Church, Lancashire, BL9 0AH
Saturday, 3 October at 3.00pm. Tickets £20.00 & £15.00 (available from the café) and https://www.buryparishchurch.com/stileantico
This concert is part of the 150th Anniversary celebration of Bury Parish Church, and we are privileged to be hosting one of the most famous music ensembles in the world.

Stile Antico in Concert at Bury Parish Church, Bury, Lancashire, on Saturday, 3rd October 2026 at 3.00pm. Booking now open. https://www.buryparishchurch.com/stileantico

Stile Antico is firmly established as one of the world’s most accomplished and innovative vocal ensembles. Working without a conductor, its twelve members have thrilled audiences on four continents with their fresh, vibrant and moving performances of Renaissance polyphony. Its bestselling recordings have earned accolades including the Gramophone Award for Early Music, Diapason d’or de l’année, Edison Klassiek Award, and Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. The group has received three Grammy® nominations, and performed live at the 60th Grammy® Awards at Madison Square Garden.

15/09/2026

New Mercies

Your eyes opened this morning. The sun has risen again. Your heart is still beating. Your lungs are inhaling fresh oxygen. You are here, you are alive, and your life has intrinsic value.

It’s true.

But this fractured world tries to beat us down, which can feel all-consuming at times. Our relationships are far from perfect, our desires are bent toward selfishness, and sometimes the everyday grind can feel like too much.

The author of Lamentations, traditionally identified as Jeremiah (though His name isn’t stated explicitly), is known as the “weeping prophet”—constantly undone because of the heartbreaking sin of his people and their open disregard for their Creator. The book is full of grief, distress, and lament. But still, he confidently writes:

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:21-23‬ ‭ESV

Even though God’s people had rebelled, even though the strength of Israel was gone and they were facing the consequences of their idolatry, even though their unfaithfulness was making their lives fall apart…

God still poured out His steadfast love. God still showed off His endless mercy. God still lavished His people with His constant faithfulness.

That is why they were not consumed. And that is why we still have hope.

If you’ve run from God, ignored His good design, disregarded His warnings, purposely rebelled against Him, or simply chose to forget His existence all together, it’s not too late to turn back.

God doesn’t ignore those who come to Him. He doesn’t dismiss those with a humble and repentant heart. He is patiently and faithfully waiting for those who will return to Him.

14/09/2026

He Will Lead the Way

Moses led the people of Israel for forty years. He led them out of slavery in Egypt, through the Red Sea, delivered the Ten Commandments from his time with God on Mount Sinai, and walked with them through the wilderness until they reached the edge of Canaan.

But as he neared the end of his life, God showed Moses that it was time to hand off leadership to another. In a final address to the people of Israel, he shares these final words with his successor, Joshua:

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

This is the last record we have of Moses talking to Joshua. Notice he didn’t say, “Good luck, these people are exhausting,” or, “Here’s a situation going on, I would handle it this way.” Moses wasn’t telling Joshua about how to do something, but instead, how to see everything.

Moses drew Joshua’s attention to the most important part of the story: God. Moses had been a crucial leader, but it was only because of God that Israel could move forward. It was only because of God that they made it this far. And because God is the author of the story, His provision would continue after Moses is gone.

Because God was with Israel, Joshua didn’t need to fear anything. And when God is with you, there is nothing to fear. He will lead the way.