1st December 2024
By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 8 December 2024
Hello everyone,
I must begin by thanking everyone who supported our Christmas Fayre last Saturday. This was a great success with over £900 being raised for church funds, a good time being enjoyed by all, and many good conversations with friends from the wider community. On the subject of Christmas this email includes details of all our Christmas services, so do have a look through the list and think who you may be able to invite. There will be some flyers available next week to give to family and friends, neighbours and colleagues, to invite them to join us at this special time of the year.
CHARITY OF THE WEEK – OPEN DOORS
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, and to invite people to join us, it is good to remember our brothers and sisters around the world who are not free to celebrate as we are, and who may be arrested if they invite someone to join them for a Christmas gathering.
Please pray for OPEN DOORS, one of the charities St Columba’s supports. They originated in 1955 when Brother Andrew started smuggling Bibles to the persecuted church in Communist Europe. His work led to more than six decades of support for the persecuted church all around the world.
If you would like to find out more about their work click on this link where you can find more information and films about people to pray for:
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/resources/prayer/
SUNDAY 1st DECEMBER
Tomorrow is Advent Sunday and we have two services at St Columba’s:
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION with ENERGIZE groups continuing to rehearse for the NATIVITY so it would be really good if all the children could come along. We will try again with the livestream using this link: https://youtube.com/live/fdE-5Zg9zAw?feature=share
5pm we have an informal service of ADVENT PRAISE, as a result of this we don’t have a Prayer Meeting on Sunday.
CHRISTMAS CAROL PERFORMANCE AT STEPHENSON WAY COMMUNITY CENTRE – Friday 6th December. Doors open 7pm
This community event is happening on Friday and everyone is welcome.
SUNDAY 8th DECEMBER
Next Sunday we have just one service at St Columba’s at 10.30am – HOLY COMMUNION with ENERGIZE groups continuing to rehearse for the NATIVITY.
Although it is the second Sunday of the month the Rockingham Family Service is not happening until next week.
We will have a Prayer Meeting at 6pm in St Columba’s.
LODGE PARK CHRISTMAS DINNER
Many of you have enjoyed the social events organised by Lodge Park Academy over recent years and I am pleased to say they are inviting us to a CHRISTMAS DINNER on Monday 16th December at 2pm. There is no charge for this dinner but you do need to book with me as there are a limited number of spaces available. Please let me know at church or email ianpullinger@btinternet.com if you would like to go.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT ST COLUMBA’S and ST LEONARD’S:
Thursday 12th December 6pm – COMMUNITY CAROL SERVICE at St Columba’s with school choirs and congregational carols. This is always a really good evening with performances from choirs at infant, junior and secondary schools.
Sunday 15th December 10.30am – NATIVITY SERVICE at St Columba’s. This is always a highlight of the year as the children in ENERGIZE perform their Nativity Play.
Sunday 15th December 3pm – CHRISTMAS FAMILY SERVICE at St Leonard’s. A celebration of Christmas with carols, improvised drama and, this year, a Baptism!
Thursday 19th December 7pm – CAROLS with MINCE PIES and MULLED WINE in Rockingham Village Hall. This informal gathering in the relaxed, and warm, surroundings of the Village Hall gives everyone a chance to choose their favourite carol to sing.
Sunday 22nd December 10.30am – HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s. This will be a shorter service than usual with no ENERGIZE groups because we want to encourage people to come to the Carol Service later.
Sunday 22nd December 6pm – CANDLELIT CAROL SERVICE at St Columba’s. This traditional Christmas favourite includes plenty of opportunity to sing favourite carols and to hear the Christmas story in Bible readings.
Christmas Eve 4.30pm – CHRISTINGLE SERVICE at St Columba’s. Always a favourite as we remember the Christmas story, learn about the work of The Children’s Society and sing “Away in a Manger” by the light of our Christingle candles.
Christmas Eve 11.15pm – MIDNIGHT COMMUNION at St Columba’s. A traditional celebration of Holy Communion with carols, to remember how Jesus was born in the night.
Christmas Day 10am – FAMILY COMMUNION at St Columba’s. A joyful celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour with carols and communion, and guaranteed not to be too long because…
Christmas Day 11am – CHRISTMAS COMMUNION at St Leonard’s. A traditional Communion service for Christmas morning with carols.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DINNER
This is being organised by some people from Hope Church, but it will be happening in our Church Hall. As before the aim is to make Christmas Day special for those who would otherwise be alone. If you would like to attend, or know someone who might like to, or you can volunteer to help either on the day or with preparation on Christmas Eve please contact: christmasdinner2024@yahoo.com
SCANS
There was a new PRINTED edition of SCaNS available in church last week. If you did not pick up a copy don’t forget to pick one up this week.
Ian
01536 400225
07903 644609