Services and events
Services are held each Sunday morning at 11am at the Church - scroll down for further details








A STAR IS BORN
"I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
                                                                                                 (John 8:12)
                                                           
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.  The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel"   (Isaiah 7:14) 
'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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6-7)


                                                                                                                                                




                     
                                                                                                                                                         





THE JOURNEY
In the Holy land the heat of the summer would be over and the rains of winter have not yet arrived. A perfect time to travel. Mary heavily pregnant travelling on a donkey led by Joseph the 100 miles or so from Nazareth to Jerusalem. Joseph, by law, having been born in the House of David  was compelled to attend the Census. They would have passed through olive groves, small pine woods, rolling hills and stoney well cultivated fields. The olive harvest would have started, and they would probably stop and share a hot sweet tea brewed in the open on crackling fires of olive twigs.
The Bedouins in the camp on the edge of the Jordan Valley would be going about their various jobs tending their sheep, goats and livestock, which they still do today. Surviving the Judean desert their journey would have brought them past shepherds in the fields and hills that would eventually bring them down into Bethlehem.












PRAYER FOR THE WORLD
We praise you, God, for your Church across the globe.  In particular, we lift to You our church partners who are faithfully serving You.  We pray for peace and hope to abound. Many are affected by wars, natural disasters, floods, droughts and forest fires.  Many are struggling with conflict, poverty and the global food crisis. Father, please protect those who are vunerable to illness around the world, especially children and babies living in poverty and particularly those children who have been made orphans in areas of conflict. Father we pray for your protection and healing. We pray for our partner churches who work so hard to look after their communities. Dear Father, we pray for countries experiencing the turmoil of conflict and political instability,  We ask for peace to be restored. Please grant wisdom and integrity to world Leaders so that they will work for the good of the people they govern and serve. 
We know that you listen to our prayers when our hearts and minds can feel overwhelmed by the immense challenges affecting people, all around the world as well as our loved ones. Scripture promises that when we turn to you, you will respond with compassion.  Verse 1 in Psalm 46 says "God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble.
In the Name of Jesus
AMEN

 


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