November News Letter
November 27th 2023
Dear Friends
How are you? As the year will soon draw to a close I wonder how the texts which we adopted in January as above have sustained us.
My last letter began with encouragement to hold on to the words of Jesus as given in John 8:12, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ That encouragement is reiterated as we proclaim the Christian hope through our faith in Jesus Christ. As Advent dawns we turn to Isaiah 9:2-6. Verse 2 and verse 6 declare, ‘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. 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.’ Friends, may we be inspired to share the everlasting hope we have as we engage with others during the weeks of Advent because of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
My last letter referred to the special offerings which we were taking in support of Christian Aid’s Middle East Crisis Appeal. Some of you may not be aware that the sum given was £383-74. Thank you for all your support.
Following mention of it in my last letter, we are delighted that church and community participation in the sponsored knit for the Blythswood Care Shoebox Appeal raised the magnificent sum of £1,485. Congratulations to Lorna who organised it and a big thank you to all knitters and sponsors within the church and beyond. A great team effort.
As the Christmas tree arrives in church this week and with a big thank you to those who organise its delivery and installation, a reminder that our 11 am service this coming Sunday, 3rd December, will include the opportunity to hang stars on the tree in memory of loved ones. We have stars here at the church and, as you know, if you would like to and would be helped by doing so, I encourage you to make your own. Please invite family and friends to come with you for what often presents as a special opportunity to remember people who no longer walk this earth with us.
Please also invite family and friends to other services as we journey through Advent and celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas Day.
SUNDAY 10TH DECEMBER
THE 11 AM SERVICE WILL INCLUDE HOLY COMMUNION AND WILL INCLUDE THE PRESENTATION OF THE LUNDIE MEMORIAL AWARDS TO OUR YOUTH FELLOWSHIP WINNERS. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THEM.
SUNDAY 17TH DECEMBER
OUR 11 AM SERVICE WILL BE DEVOTED TO THE NATIVITY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE RAINBOWS, BROWNIES, GUIDES AND RANGERS BEING WITH US.
SUNDAY 17TH DECEMBER
CAROL SERVICE BY CANDLELIGHT AT 6 PM FOLLOWED BY TEA, COFFEE AND MINCE PIES
SUNDAY 24TH DECEMBER AT 11 AM
SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE
MONDAY 25TH DECEMBER AT 10 AM
SERVICE FOR CHRISTMAS DAY
SUNDAY 31ST DECEMBER AT 11 AM
SERVICE FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE.
A REMINDER THAT ON SUNDAY 10TH DECEMBER FROM 6 TO 8.30 PM
WE, TOGETHER WITH OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS ARE INVITED TO KICC, BUCKMORE PARK
FOR THE CHRISTMAS CONNECT CAROL EVENING. KEY SPEAKER NICKY GUMBEL
As our journey through Advent begins, my encouragement to all of us this year is to spend time in the coming days reading Luke chapters 1 and 2. Spend time not only reading the chapters but reflect and pray – with thanksgiving for the birth of Christ and the difference that birth makes to our lives.
As we prepare for the new year, a reminder that everyone in the fellowship is invited to suggest a Bible text for 2024 for us to adopt at Church Meeting in January. It would be helpful to have your suggestions by the end of December and there will be a box in the church for you to put them in.
Way ahead into February and as mentioned at Church Meeting the merger of the Synod Areas of West Kent and East Sussex and of East Kent will be recognised in a special gathering and service hosted by Maidstone United Reformed Church on Saturday 3rd February from 11 am through to the afternoon. Everyone is invited – please keep the date and await more information.
On a very different note, as we look towards January – you might like to access the website of Keep Britain Tidy and see their challenge for the Buy Nothing New Month. I do, however, encourage you to read all of the information and not just part of it.
Friends, we continue to pray for this world and for those known to us in this fellowship for whom this year has been and continues to be tough. Let us never give up praying but do let us recognise the power of prayer and the constant prompt that prayer and action go together.
The peace of the Lord be with you all today and always and my thanks to you all for the gift that you are to Gillingham United Reformed Church.
God bless you
Pam
*The Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright ©1978 by New York International Bible Society. First published in Great Britain in 1979. This edition 1983. All rights reserved.