The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2
Dear All
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent – the Sunday when we consider Hope as our theme. As we do so, what do you have to be thankful for – personally, in church life, family life or other areas of your life? Where do see signs of Hope?
If you haven’t picked up your copy of the Advent Prayer Guide please do so. We forgot to give out the Advent Calendars for the children and young people last week so we will attempt to remedy this on Sunday.
Advent and Christmas
Thank you to everyone who helped on Friday evening with the decorating and clearing up of the church. The trees arrive on Tuesday.
The Community Christmas cards will be available hopefully next week for taking and delivering.
Nativity Trail
The Nativity Trail takes place this Sunday, 3rd December, starting at Prettygate Baptist Church and finishing here at Plume Avenue. The trail is planned to be shorter than before with more activities available here at the church. We don’t know how many teams will be taking part so we don’t quite know how many we are catering for with refreshments. We do have some folk making homemade Christmassy biscuits, if you are able to add to this we may be very grateful for them.
Please do pray for this wonderful outreach opportunity and that the weather is kind!
Christmas lunch
We would like be serving a Christmas hot buffet lunch on Tuesday 12th December 2023 at 12.30. All Welcome. Please sign up on the sheet in the foyer if you would like to join us or are able to help. There will be no charge for the meal but a basket for donations and the card reader will be available. Thanks Andrea.
Advent Reflections
Each Wednesday evening during Advent, we will have an opportunity to gather together on Zoom to take some time out from the busyness for worship, prayer, silence and reflection. Everyone is very welcome. This isn’t like a homegroup where we discuss a bible passage or theme – we will spend time in silence reflecting on the music and words and listening to God.
Christmas Gifts for Social Services – Sunday 10th December 2023
Sheila writes “We have once again been asked to support the young adults in Colchester who are no longer in care, but are in supported living accommodation. These young people have no family to turn to and have to live on a very limited budget.
Most are still in education so they receive benefits from social services from which they have to pay for their flat, food, energy bills and travel to college. Mentors are on hand to teach them skills they need to survive on their own, like budgeting and how to apply for jobs.
Day to day life for these young people is often very stressful as they try to cope on their own in an adult world. Basic food, clothes and toiletries are all they can afford.
To make this a special time of year for these people in our town, we have been asked to give biscuits, chocolates, toiletries, gloves, scarves, jewellery or any other gift you feel they would appreciate. Please do not wrap the gifts so that each present can be allocated to the appropriate person. A roll of wrapping paper would be most welcome.”
IJM
Many of us were really moved by what Amanda shared with us in the service a couple of weeks ago about International Justice Mission (IJM). There is currently a time-limited offer where all gifts will be DOUBLED if given by midday on 5th December. To give go to:
https://www.ijmuk.org/our-work?form=donate
If you have any questions please do speak to Robin.
Church chairs
Joe writes “As you are aware, the toddler group and the drop-in on Mondays are both already having a big impact on our local community, not only in terms of the lives of those we serve, but also in terms of cultivating social capital for the church moving forward. This is possible because of the sacrifices made by a number of people – one of whom gives up her entire day on a Monday. To make this sustainable, and to support those who are serving on Mondays, I am setting up a team to move the chairs. In a nutshell, would you be able to help support us, either by joining a team to move chairs on Sunday, half an hour after the service finishes, or to help set the church back up on Tuesday mornings at 9:15am. When it is just one person doing it, it can take quite a long time. But when there are a number of us, we can get it done within half an hour or so. Please do let me know if you think you’d be able to help. joerobbins2013@gmail.com Thanks Joe”
This week
There will be prayer meetings on Wednesday and Saturday mornings at 9.30 am. Zoom details will be e-mailed early in the week together with the link for the Wednesday evening Advent Reflection.
With love and blessings.
