Advent and Christmas 2006
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In every life there is some darkness: the darker side of your personality, which you try to keep hidden away; dark memories from the past which refuse to be erased; a dark cloud hanging over an uncertain future; the darkness of pain, or grief or fear.
Today we pray for light in our darkness and look to this season of Advent for some signs of hope.
10:30 am Holy Communion Service led by Revd Jennifer Millington
Longing for Light
Sunday 10th December The Second Sunday in Advent
All over the world people are praying for peace. They are frightened of the growing threats of terrorism, exhausted by continual warfare, angry at those who seem determined to promote violence. Can there ever be peace in our time? And if so, where will it begin?
Today we pray for peace- “and let it begin with me.”
10:30am All-Age Parade Service, including The Nativity Play
Longing for Peace
17th December The Third Sunday in Advent
There are many people without a place to call “home” because they have been forced out of their houses by natural or human causes. There are also many who have a house, but it is not “home” to them – rather a place in which they are abused by others or in which they are trapped by their own frailty or in which they know nothing but stress. “Home is where the heart is” and home is where the heart can be free to love and laugh; give and receive; grow and share.
Today we pray for a place in our lives which we can call home.
10:30am Family Service, led by the Revd Jennifer Millington.
Longing for Shelter
4pm A Christmas Service for Children led by the Revd Margaret Collins
7pm Carols by Candlelight: A traditional Carol Service of words and music, following the Christmas Story over three thousand years.
24th December The Fourth Sunday in Advent Christmas Eve
Some are hungry for food simply to keep on living; some are hungry for the “food of the soul”- something which will bring real satisfaction and fulfilment to their lives. We celebrate Christmas with food and drink but it can also bring to light the emptiness in people’s lives: a lack of real love, of purpose, of hope, of delight.
Today we pray for the food which Jesus Christ promised- the bread of life, which brings permanent satisfaction.
10:30am All-Age Christmas Communion Service led by Revd Jennifer Millington and the Revd Margaret Collins
Longing for Food
11:30pm Service of Christmas Celebration led by the Revd Margaret Collins and the Revd Jennifer Millington.
Christmas Day
As we open our Christmas presents, we ask, has God answered our prayers? Has God given us what we most need? The gifts of God can come where we least expect them and in the places we forget to look.
Today we pray for grace to receive the greatest of all God’s gifts to the world: Jesus Christ, Emmanuel: God with us.
8am Service of Holy Communion led by Dr Preman Niles
10am Family Service for Christmas Day, led by the Revd. Jennifer Millington
Many the Gifts
