|
Dear Friends,
‘In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ Romans 8:37-39
Rejoice! For amidst crisis and an ever-changing world - God's love remains unchanging. As such, the Christmas message becomes essential to the heart of every person. That the God who comes to live in our midst, experiences life as we do, also comes to lead us to salvation and to life in its fullness. We, as the people of God, are entrusted to rejoice, celebrate, and proclaim this message of hope.
Therefore, our plans for Christmas can now be confirmed following the latest updates from the Government and are listed below. Please note that our gathered services will return on the 20th of December. Some of the services will require booking to aid the organisation but also to make sure we do not exceed the maximum capacity. You will have the next days to book your place. Bookings will then be made available to the wider community from the 7th of December.
- Christingle Service - Sunday - 20/12 – 4:30pm – Tesco Car Park and Online:
We will hold a traditional Christingle service with contributions from students of St John’s Academy. Households/Bubbles can come in their cars which will provide a COVID safe environment. We will be able to light up the Christingles by using battery powered candles. A Stage, sound system and a large screen will ensure that everyone present gets to see what is happening.
We are hoping to provide Christingle kits upon arrival.
This service requires you to book per car as there is a maximum capacity.
Please contact your pastoral caller or Anne Kean to book your place.
- Carol Service – Sunday - 20/12 – 6:30pm – Tesco Car Park and Online:
Similar to our Christingle service, our carol service will be hosted at the Tesco Carpark and online. We are very excited that our orchestra and choir will be streamed live from Christ Church. This means we can safely sing as one gathered congregation.
This service requires you to book per car as there is a maximum capacity.
Please contact your pastoral caller or Anne Kean to book your place.
- Crib Services – Thursday - 24/12 – 4pm – Christ Church and Saint Luke’s Church:
Two services taking place simultaneously in each church. We will recount the nativity story in a family friendly way.
These services require you to book per household letting us know how many of you will be coming.
Please contact your pastoral caller or Anne Kean to book your place.
- Christmas Eve Midnight Communion – Thursday - 24/12 – 11:30pm - St Luke’s:
Join us as we usher Christmas in and share Holy Communion in this special service.
This service requires you to book per household letting us know how many of you will be coming.
Please contact your pastoral caller or Anne Kean to book your place.
- Christmas Service – Friday - 25/12 – 10am – Christ Church and Online:
Let us celebrate Christmas and proclaim the birth of Christ together.
No need to book.
- The Christmas Church Take-away Boxes:
Similar to the take-away boxes in the summer, we are preparing 200 Christmas take-away boxes.
I hope you will find this to be a resource of worship, a token of love and a reminder that you live in our hearts. Boxes will start to be distributed from next week.
If you are on Facebook, twitter or Instagram, take a photo of your box and upload it tagging Christ Church and St Luke’s.
- The Christmas Food Project: 21-31/12
During the Christmas holidays we are hoping to provide 20 to 30 food parcels for those in need.
The distribution points will be in Rhodesia/Shireoaks and in Christ Church.
A dedicated team is taking shape, but we could do with a few more volunteers.
I hope the services, events and outreaches above will bring something of God’s power and love in your life as we shine the light of Jesus in our world.
Many Blessing,
Revd. Luiz Lima
|