Today
We welcome you to our celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s Son who took on human nature to be our redeemer. May God’s peace be with you.
Warm Space:
A reminder that our church hall will be open as usual on Friday 10.30 to 1.00. Please can anyone help from 11.00 and in closing up at the end?
Sunday 1st January:
We shall have the last of our series based on the praise offered by various people in the Bible accounts of Christmas: Simeon’s praise (Luke 2:29-32). The preacher will be Martin Cooper.
Message from our Minister
I hope that you might have been able to adorn your house with a few Christmas decorations to celebrate the season and that the tree lights are working again this year. We do indeed have something to celebrate! Beware of those who wish to make this season no more than a light relief from the long dark days of winter.
There seems to be an ever increasing desire these days for many to view this time as having what they want, when they want it. We can have next day delivery on most things at the click of mouse. Sadly, Christmas for many will just be a time to eat and drink to excess. For those who indulge themselves in this way it will not so much be the Christmas joy they will experience but a festive blur!
Amazingly it is now 38 years since Band Aid released their record ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ The song highlighted a desperate need in Africa. The words of the song expressed a prayer that we can all share in, but it doesn’t make for easy listening, for they are a desperate plea for people to respond to the aching humanitarian need. They reminded us that Christmas is a time of light, love, joy and sharing. With that challenging message in our hearts, surely no one can feel easy still living in a world where a few have way beyond their need but so many cry out even for a crust of bread.
People are searching for meaning and purpose in life and a desire to find a solution to life’s imponderable questions. However, it should not escape our notice that the babe given no room in the inn seeks to find a room in our hearts as our Lord and Saviour.
Our hope and prayer is that you will be reminded of the profound message of Christmas and God’s love for you.
Marian and I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year! God’s richest blessings to you all. Rev John Izzard
Big Christmas Card:
Thank you to all who have signed the big card on the back wall and have given a donation to Action for Children, and to Carol who organised this.
Support with the cost of living:
If you know of anyone who has a problem affording food and heating, support is available from Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council. Information and forms are available on the notice board at the back of the church, or contact (01983) 559119 or info@newportwight.org.uk.
MAGNIFICAT!
On Sundays we are looking at four praise songs in the Christmas story, all in Luke.
In the grid are the first sentences of these in four languages. You don’t need to say what languages they are – or even understand all the words!
Just enter four letters in each of the boxes below, to say which 4 are from Zechariah, which from Mary, and so on.
Clues: All the ones from Zechariah end in the same word.
The German for ‘glory’ is ‘Ehre’.
Some sentences are longer than others!
