NEWSLETTER. DEC 22

NEWSLETTER
CHRISTMAS EVENTS 2022

 

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord’ 

Luke 2 : 10

Wow! Here we are in November and the shops are already gearing up for Christmas. In fact, there are only a few weeks to go! Of course, Christmas for us is a wonderful and busy time when we do 2 things:

1  We celebrate our Saviour Immanuel with worship, meals together and extra church activities.  

2   We share the good news of the Saviour with our community in outreach events.

One thing is for sure; for our Church, Christmas is all about Jesus.

Here is a list of the activities that our Church will be doing this year. Please put them in your diary and come to as many as you can. We want this year to be your best Christmas ever!

SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER 10.30am – 12.30pm

CHRISTMAS TABLETOP GIVEAWAY

This is an annual event where we fill our church with good quality items : books, clothes, ornaments, furniture toys and games to give away to the public with a tract about Jesus. Have a look around your home. Do you have something you can give to someone else, as an early Christmas gift perhaps. We get crowds for this event every year. It is such a blessing, and it shows our neighbours that Christians and Jesus are generous and helpful. We will start collecting items this week.  Please do not bring any electrical items as we are not allowed to give them out because of Health and Safety rules.

SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER 9.30am – 12.00pm

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AND BUILDING WORKDAY

In our monthly workday we will be cleaning as usual but we will also be putting up the Christmas decorations. Come and join us for a couple of hours to prepare the building for celebrating the birth of our Saviour. 

SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER 10.30am 

CHRISTMAS FLIERS WILL BE READY FOR POSTING

We are designing a flier for Christmas. It will include details of our Christmas services and a clear gospel message that will focus on the truth of the first Christmas and God’s great love for us. This means that at least 1000 homes in St Annes will receive the real message of Christmas. They will be in packs of about 40. Please take a pack for your street and deliver them. As you post each one, pray a blessing on that home. This way you are praying for your street. It should take one hour at the most. We will also have a Christmas poster to be put up in your front window so that the public passing by, will see God’s message for Christmas.

SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER 3.00pm

CHRISTMAS FAMILY CELEBRATION

 This will be fun with families as we enjoy games, songs, food and a message for everyone. It will be a Christmas party but with lots of Jesus.

CAROL SINGING AT PORRITT HOUSE  

THURSDAY 15 DECEMBER 2.00pm

We sing the age old carols but we also introduce the carols by sharing the real Christmas message, telling the residents that God loves them and they are precious to Him.  Then we give cards out to all the residents and wish them a happy Christmas. Sometimes we even get to pray with people. Then we are invited to share coffee and mince pies with the residents and staff.  It is a really lovely time. These senior citizens often feel very lonely at this time of year and they really appreciate the visit. You don’t have to be a good singer. This is an opportunity to share God’s love.

SATURDAY 17 DECEMBER 10.30am – 12.00pm 

CHRISTMAS OUTREACH IN ST ANNES SQUARE

This year circumstances have caused us to change the day of the Christmas outreach. The Square in St Annes will still be crowded with shoppers as we share the great news of the birth of Jesus Christ. Our songs and carols will focus on Emmanuel and the true meaning of Christmas. So we need you to join us and make a great event. Wouldn’t it be great to see someone saved at Christmas? That would be an incredible Christmas present! I encourage you to come and be a blessing. We will also be encouraging shoppers to join us for a free coffee and mince pies at the church afterwards.

SUNDAY 18 DECEMBER 10.30am

DIY NATIVITY  SUNDAY

We don’t have many children in the Church at the moment, but we do like to give them opportunities to join in with us. On this Sunday, as part of the worship, we will have a Nativity presentation which will involve the children (and some adults!) It will be a lovely time for the church family to share together in this Christmas celebration.  We will, of course, have worship, the Word and Children’s Church afterwards.

MONDAY 19 DECEMBER 6.30pm

CHRISTMAS MEAL AT THE GLENDOWER HOTEL

COST £20.00

 One of the great things about Christmas is when the family gathers at home for the Christmas dinner. Well, this year the Church family and friends will be gathering in the Glendower hotel. . This will be a great time of fellowship. Let’s relax and enjoy good food, festivities and friendship. After the meal we will be singing carols and hearing a gospel message. It is a wonderful opportunity to invite friends who will hear a Christian message at Christmas. Please book your place early by seeing Margaret Cartmel.  

THURSDAY 22 DECEMBER 6.30pm  CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT IN THE CHURCH 

We will gather round the candle lit tables and sing some of our favourite carols with time for sharing and testimony.  And of course there will be coffee and mince pies. It will be a wonderful evening to celebrate the birth of the Christ. Please invite family, friends and neighbours.

SUNDAY 25 DECEMBER 10.30am – 12.00pm

CHRISTMAS DAY FAMILY CELEBRATION

On this day, more important than all the presents we receive, is the gift  we give to Jesus. We come together as a Church family to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and to worship Him. 

There will be praise, carols, our annual quiz (with prizes) and an interactive presentation with scripture to bring home the true power-filled message of Christmas. The children stay in for all the service. This is our opportunity to give Jesus a wonderful Christmas present; that is the gift or our worship. Let’s make His Christmas this year!

SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER 

11. 00pm – 12.15am  

NEW YEARS EVE PRAYER AND COMMUNION 

People gather on New Years Eve for all sorts of different activities. If Christmas is about Jesus so is the New Year. For all who would like to, we will gather to welcome in the new year at a venue to be announced.

So let’s…

Christmas is one of the most precious times of the year.

Let’s celebrate the Saviour this Christmas!

He is not in heaven just observing us.

He is not on the mountain top in fire and smoke, scaring us.

He is not behind the veil hidden from us.

He is not on the holy throne separated from us.

He is not too high, too glorious, too pure, too perfect for us.

He does not despair of us.

He has no regrets.

He does not require or recriminate.

He does not condemn or blame us.

He is totally, perfectly, gloriously, amazingly, mercifully, unbelievably, passionately,

God with us.