Sunday 17th December 2023

Just eight more days until Christmas Day! How do you feel about that? Excited, daunted, stressed, anxious, full of joy? It can be a strange time of year for many as this is when missing loved ones is amplified or maybe our 'perfect Christmas' doesn't end up as planned. Of course, it can also be a wonderful time of rest, time with family and feasting. If you think back to the original Nativity Story, how do you think the different characters in the story felt at that time? None of those feelings changed the fact that the Saviour of the World was born, and he came to 'seek and save the lost' (Luke 19:10), bring light into the darkness (Matthew 4:16, John 1:5) and hope to the nations (Matthew 12:21). So no matter how you are feeling as you read this, take a moment and consider Jesus, all he is and all he has done for you. May you be greatly blessed by our Saviour this day.

Today at the 10.30am service, we are looking forward to having one of our mission partners Holly sharing her time in the mission field with us. We'll be continuing our Advent series and Thiago will be our preacher.

As stated in yesterday's email, we have our Candlelit Carol Service this evening at 6pm. It's a great opportunity to invite family, friends and work colleagues to an accessible gathering centred on the Christmas story.

As a reminder, next week we have our all-age Christmas extravaganza (10.30am) and then our Christmas Day service at 10am on...you've guessed it...Christmas Day. Again, both of these services are great to bring others along to. Let's grab this opportunity.

May you know the Lord's peace this day as we continue to head towards the celebration of the coming of the Prince of Peace. 

Love and Blessings,

Dave