28th November 2021
By Kevin Montgomery in Sunday Service on 28 November 2021
The Lord is coming, be watchful and alert!
Yes, that’s right, it is Advent Sunday!
I almost can’t quite believe that this time of year is upon us already, but here we are, at the beginning of our Advent season, remembering the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and also anticipating and looking forward to His second coming. Advent is that season of both remembering and anticipation. Many of course will be anticipating Christmas this year, particularly after the disappointment for many last year of not being able to celebrate together with friends and family. I hope and pray that this year we will be able gather together more and celebrate the wonder of the birth of Jesus. News of a new concerning Covid-19 variant has of course hit the headlines in the last day or so and we will monitor the situation carefully and respond to any advice given from the government on anything we might need to do.
Do keep an eye out then for news of all that’s going to be happening, we will keep you updated over the next couple of weeks about all of our Christmas gatherings.
All being well there will be lots on and plenty to get involved with! I must also mention the Christmas Fayre which has kicked off this first Advent weekend this morning in the Church Hall. Things looked to be in full swing when I was there earlier, plenty of stalls, Christmas music playing and some fantastic Christmas jumpers being worn as well. There was also theHopefully many of you will have been able to pop along and see all that was on offer.
Sunday Service
We have a service of Holy Communion on this Advent Sunday, 10:30am at St Columba or it’s available online. A PDF version is available here. Energize is back and we’re looking forward to the Nativity service they’re busy planning for – so our children and young people will be going out on Sunday morning. This Sunday’s reading and sermon may seem an unusual way to be kicking off what many regard as the beginning of the Christmas season but for us as the body of Christ it is a timely reminder of our faith and our anticipation of Jesus and His return, Ian’s preach brings us a powerful message at the start of this new Church year.
Hope into Action
We have our Hope into Action prayer meeting on Sunday evening at 6pm as normal and are looking forward to our Training Day next Saturday 4th December – it’s not too late to sign up to this, you can do so in church – there’s a sign-up sheet at the back or have a word with Ann Rigby, Paul Millen or John Lynch.
Steve’s Puzzles
There’s another great set of Puzzles and a report on the Tearfund Quiz night with some great photos in there too – see if you can spot yourself if you were there!
Last but not least
If you are able to join us on Sunday morning at 10:30am for the service, it would be wonderful to see you there, but whether you can make it or not do have a good, a Godly and a blessed week, may God be with you and the Holy Spirit go with you where ever you are.
Blessings
Kevin