Notices December 2012
Pulpit Arrangements Services start at 11.0 am
Sunday 2nd John Austin
Sunday 9th Ges Murray Parade
Sunday 16th Ges Murray
Sunday Revd Wilbert Sayamani ( communion)
24th Christingle 4pm Revd Wilbert Sayamani
25th CHRISTMAS am service 9.30 Revd Sayamani You will be most welcome to join us.
Editor’s newsletter December
Dear All,
Christmas is round again... Does not seem five minutes since we celebrated in 2011!
A time to spend with our families and friends and maybe also review what we have been able to achieve over the past year. News elsewhere can seem depressing... Conflict in Gaza with the main sufferers being totally innocent civilians.. All in the region where the Son of God was born over 2000 year ago and we approach the anniversary of His birthday this month. I am sure we will all be praying that peace will prevail ... Another tragedy of a school bus wiped out by a train on a level crossing in Egypt with the loss of over 50 lives mostly tiny children... Their parents will be in our prayers who must be in agony caused by their loss.
In our area, many residents will be facing a tough 2013 with severe pressures on their budgets and their lives with more cuts to come. I hope we can offer support and help as Christians to those who are facing such difficult times.
We have had a momentous year in our church with the arrival of our new Minister. There must be an opportunity for us in 2013 to reach out and connect with our local community and emphasise the Good news message that sustains us as Christians .
I do hope you all rejoice together the Christmas and that the Holy Spirit will refresh you and prepare us all for the new year ahead with all the challenges good and bad that will happen.
Regards Ian
FROM THE MINISTER’S DESK
The year is almost coming to a close and we can look back with a measure of satisfaction at what the Lord has done for us and through us in the course of the year. We are again coming to that season of the year when everyone gets busy, rushing in many different directions. The tragedy and the irony of it all is that often, the real reason for the season, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is forgotten, somewhat unconsciously or unintentionally.
It is therefore important that I remind us all that Advent is that time of the year when we prepare for the Lord’s coming. At this time, most of our churches even light candles, read scripture passages and offer prayers related to the anticipation of God’s incarnation in Jesus Christ. So before the rush begins it is important to stop, reflect and listen for the voice of God. It is this quiet reflection that will redirect us into a place of quiet and peace as we think of our salvation, grace and Love. We suddenly come to that profound awareness that if God had not chosen to come to the world in His Son we all would not be here. This holy moment leads us into a place and spirit of thankfulness and gratitude.
While I was thinking about these things, I again stopped to ask about what I am thankful for in our Pastorate. Few things came to mind. Our leadership, the Elders and all those who lead and are involved in different capacities; Pins and Needles, Friendship group, Bible study leaders, home group fellowships, Brownies, Brigades, Pop In group, Coffee Mornings, Fish and chips events and many other activities that are going on in our Pastorate. I am also thankful to God for the Talent discovery and development that is bringing in a new wave of inspiration and excitement as we discover those talents that we have not been tapping into as a Pastorate. I am thankful for the manner in which we are embracing change and responding positively to the fresh expressions of faith that the United Reformed Church in general is panting for. I am thankful for the wonderful signs of Spiritual growth in our Pastorate.
My list can go on but let me stop and ask: “What are some of the things that you are thankful for in your life? As you consider your local congregation and your Pastorate in general, what are some of the things you are able to express gratitude and thanksgiving for? How is your congregation blessing those within your church and those outside? How are you blessing and encouraging your Minister and how is your Minister blessing and encouraging you? Are you at any point stopping to count your blessings at all or this is something you had not given a thought until now?
to give thanks to both God and the people around you. Too many people today conclude rather quickly that they have nothing to be thankful for, and that is mostly because they allow their minds to be dominated by that which has been a discouraging or negative experience. In any case, the Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that we must “in everything give thanks.” We need to be thankful in all things, to recognise the presence of God in sorrow as well as in joy, in the good experiences and even in the not so good ones. Are you thankful? Can you look up and thank the Lord every day and all the way, even sometimes through tears?
Christmas is a time for reconciliation, peace and hope. It is a time to know that no matter what we face and in spite of what is happening in our situations, God is in control: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called wonderful Councillor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end…”
Our thanks then must appropriately begin with what God has done, is doing and what we hope God will do. We simply need to acknowledge Him as the source of our blessings and hope. This time of Advent remind us that we must patiently wait on God to heal, restore and save us. We need to take time to listen to God’s voice, trust and act upon God’s word, and receive God’s peace. When we receive God’s peace, we will also realize that we are called to be agents of God’s peace and hope in the world. Are you an agent of God’s peace and hope at home, in your church and in the world?
I remain thankful for God’s bringing me here to be a part of you and serve Him with you in this way. I remain thankful of His Church with all its imperfections, failures and struggles. I do not know about you but advent and Christmas is a time to be hopeful and to expect the unexpected blessing from God. May you be surprised by grace and hope this Christmas?
Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year in the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Rev Wilbert Sayimani.
Other Dates for your December diary and Future dates
Elders 5th Dec 9th Jan 2013 at 7pm
Church Meeting 22nd November at 2pm
Church Meeting AGM now February 7th 2pm ( as Wilbert away during January) . Also we are invited to:-
Service for Sunshine School Monday 2.30pm December 10th ....
Christmas fair 1st December 2pm.
Coffee mornings 2nd and 4th Mondays 11 am
Christingle 24th December: 4pm
Church meetings last Thursday of every other month (January, March, May, July, September, November):
AGM Thursday 7th February 2pm.
Services to work with other 2 churches. We normally have parade 2nd Sunday and Communion 4th Sunday, Memorial service in June, Anniversary Service in September. 5th Sunday to continue to be joint service.
There will be drop in coffee mornings on :
Monday 10th December 11.am
Do come in and have a chat.. A friendly social!!
This month the Church will be praying
especially for the people who live in the following streets :
Foster Str Dawson Str Thames Rd Mersey Road
