As Brian mentioned yesterday next Sunday marks the beginning of a new church year as we begin Advent (from the Latin – adventus meaning coming), and we begin again to look at the birth of Jesus, the arrival of God into his creation in the most personal way possible – as a human being. It always makes me stop and consider the incredible love that God has for us and the lengths that he will go to reveal himself to us. We cannot possibly accuse God of being far off and distant when he physically came and ‘dwelt among us.’ That a holy God who is perfect in every way, who created the universe, who has no beginning or end, would stoop down and become one of us, and more that he would take on the appearance of a naked criminal pinned up for everyone to jeer at and ultimately to kill, in order to reveal his love for us, is worth stopping and dwelling on. It is the same love that we read about in the parable of the Prodigal Son, who’s father will do everything for his child who despite rejecting His love is received back with loving arms, given a robe and a ring and the place of honour. And Advent is also for anticipating another coming – His second coming – the coming of the fulness of the kingdom of God and the final removal of all death and suffering and injustice. And that’s something to anticipate with joy! (Even more than an England win!)
We are looking forward to celebrating in a number of ways through our services over the next month, so please make sure you are up to date with when everything is happening and get involved when you can.
Doug Horley will be hosting a Christmas Praise Bubble Party on Friday 2nd December at 5pm and we are nearly sold out! (Tickets are free but need to be booked on Eventbrite.)
Our Nativity service will be our All-Age service at 10:30am on Sunday 4th December and we would love it if you and your children dressed as your favourite nativity characters.
Our Nine Lessons and Carols will take place on Sunday 18th December at 7pm and we would love to have a scratch choir for the event. So, if you would like to be part of a choir please stay after church on the next 3 Sundays (27th Nov, 4th, 11th Dec) until around 12:30pm when we will rehearse.
On Christmas Eve (Saturday 24th) we will hold our Christingle service at 4pm and we hope to prepare the Christingles earlier in the day (from 10am-12pm) with some of the youth (with the enticement of bacon sandwiches or pizza!). Later in the evening we will hold our traditional communion service starting at 11:15pm and ending at midnight to welcome in Christmas Day.
We will have one service on Christmas Day at 10:30am as we celebrate Jesus’ birth as one congregation. (This will also be the case on New Year’s Day).
I look forward to celebrating (and serving) with you over the coming month and wish you all the hope and joy of the season and for the coming new year.
Mark
