OUR FINAL WORSHIP MEETING FOR 2008 saw us looking back and considering the good and the bad and sad. Susan helped us to do that in getting us to draw faces with both emotions expressed. Susan also led worship with included:- Eternal God unchanging; Angels from the realms of Glory; What a friend we have in Jesus; Majesty; Jesus, Name above all names; Jesus is the Name we honour; Shout for Joy and Sing. Ian spoke getting us to recognise that a new year does not really make a major difference - but many think and believe its a new start - yet when things go wrong, and people mess up, they feel they have to wait a new year to start all over again. We recognised that God gives us opportunity to start a fresh throughout the day, and also to take from us the past and help us live in the present. We looked at how Isaiah 43 encourages us to allow God to be with us in every situation and recognise He is there. We concluded with some prayer together, and singing O Come to my heart, Lord Jesus; Lord, for the years.

CHRISTMAS DAY saw a small number gathering together to celebrate the coming of Christ, again based around the cross, reminding us that the Life that God has given us is more than just as portrayed in the manger, but went on to much more!! The focus was 'Shine on Us' - asking that God would come and do His work in us and indeed through us. Carols and Songs included: Come on and Celebrate; Shout for Joy and sing; Ding Dong merrily; When wise men came seeking; Mary's Boy Child; See amid the winters snow; Lord, I Lift Your Name on High; Shine that the world may see; Go tell it on the mountain. The children who attended spoke to Ian about the gifts they had and wanted later in the day!!! The children also sang a verse of Away in the Manger. Throughout the morning candles and letters helped to tell the story and meaning and purpose of Christmas Day. We started by C - reminding us of celebrate H - the help that God has given us by coming to us R - rejoicing in Him I - Immanuel God with us S - Seeking Him T - taking that Light into our hearts and sharing it with others. We concludedby a time of prayer asking God to shine on us, and through us.

GUIDE US TO YOUR PERFECT LIGHT was the focus for ADVENT CHRISTMAS EVE REFLECTION, which started with refreshments and flowed into reflection. During the evening we journeyed together to discover Jesus, through reflecting on the journies of the shepherds and the wise men. The hall was lovely in candle light. Carols included: A Light came out of darkness; O Come, O Come; Hark the herald; The First Nowell; O Little Town; Silent Night; In the Bleak Mid Winter; O Come all ye faithful; Joy to the world. We also listended to the song: Shine on us.

As part of our Christmas Outreach and Opportunity for the church to come together a Christmas Open House was held in Newlands Woods, from 2pm, and throughout that time, till 7pm, various people popped in for food, drink and more. The children enjoyed games and other fun - and many adults enjoyed having time to chat and get to know each other more. Most people stayed for some time - which was good - and some stayed to the end to enjoy singing carols together around Newlands Woods.

COMMUNITY CAROL SERVICE 2008

What an amazing afternoon we had, as over 100 people gathered from the community to celebrate Christmas. For weeks now our Kids Alive children have been working hard on preparing a presentation called The Star that lost its twinkle, and this afternoon we enjoyed sharing in this, mixed together with many carols and songs from the children. Our Little Acorns were also featured and sang to us 'twinkle twinkle little star'. Caroline Davison brought a reading from the Bible, before Susan spoke to us with a challenging thought about what we might want at Christmas, but actually what it is we need. The service was attended by the Member of Parliament for our area, Andrew Pelling. To conclude refreshments were served, when many comments about how much people valued the afternoon was shared. We were pleased to that Father Christmas had time to share with us.

Members of the Church took time out on the last Saturday before Christmas to share the Good News of Jesus with shoppers in Forestdale. The local Salvation Army emergency vechicle was in support (thanks to Alan Starling) and refreshments were served beautifully, free, for passers by - thanks to Audrey. Sweets were also handed out with Kids Alive and War Cry and adverts about forthcoming events. We are grateful to all those who took part and also to members of other churches who shared with us. Somerfield donated mince pies for the event for which we are also very grateful.

KIDS ALIVE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL was held inside and outside The Forum. We were grateful to Kevin Coates (a distant relative of Sue Woodgate) for arranging musicians to come and accompany carols, and to parents and a few friends from the church who came and shared with us too. When inside we sang more carols, and were treated to the singing of We Three Kings by three live kings who all sang a verse each. Sue then concluded the event by sharing some exciting Christmas truths and used the reality of X Factor in Jesus coming to us - being born in our hearts today! Thanks too to the Forum who provided refreshments and food for us to enjoy.

LOOK OUT FOR THIS POSTER WHICH IS BEING DISPLAYED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN BUS SHELTERS

DON'T MISS THE NEXT FEW DAYS TOGETHER:-

Community Carols at the forum, with salvation army musician, kids alive children and refreshments, we start at 6pm

Saturday from 10.30am at forestdale shops, carol singing

Sunday our community carol service only, and at 4pm - no morning meeting

Christmas eve from 10.30pm for refreshments, followed by reflection at 11pm

Christmas Day at 10am - family christmas celebration

WE HOPE YOU WILL MAKE OUR CHRISTMAS BY JOINING WITH US

THE 3RD SUNDAY IN ADVENT was a special event, and saw a good numbered gathered as we continued our focus through the season, and the focus this week on 'Star with Royal Beauty Bright'. Major Nigel Bovey opened the meeting with worship, using Joy to the World!; The King; Stars; From Heaven You Came. Sue did this weeks Sunday Challenge which looked at the story of Mother Christmas. We then sang King of kings. Ian then took over the meeting, and we used other songs including Lo! He comes; King of kings, The Splendour of the King. Ian spoke on the Royal Beauty of God, and recognised that the King has come, the King will come (the importance of responding to God's invitation to come into His presence) and the King will come again (looking at the 2nd Advent). During our time of prayer and reflection God's Spirit touched peoples lives - which we thank God for.

THE FORUM was packed for this years annual Little Acorns Christmas Party. Dierdree started the event with Christmas Singing, which was followed by a beautiful tea enjoyed by all, and prepared by Dierdree and Sue. Our entertainer entertained, and then Father Christmas followed bringing gifts for everyone - thanks Father Christmas - and Lisa for helping him get the toys together. It was a great event to end the year, and we thank God for all our toddlers, their parents, carers and wider family.

Little Acorns enjoyed their annual Nativity afternoon - many came dressed in costumes and shared in games, craft and other activities. The afternoon concluded with a special nativity DVD. Pictures were taken by the leaders younger daughtre decided to delete them all!!!!

Advent Sunday (2) continued our theme and focus on 'THE Star', and looked particually Star of Light. Ian looked at Scripture to encourage us to move from walking in the darkness, to walking in the Light, to walking in Him. Songs included: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus; It is a good thing to Praise the Lord; This Little Light of mine: Shine, let the whole world see: In my life Lord, let Your Light so shine: O Come all ye faithful: Here I am to Worship. The Sunday Challenge this week involved being blindfolded and having to touch things and discover what they are - but we recognised the Light would have us see!!!!!

Courtwood School permitted us a stall at their Christmas Fair, and we were thrilled to meet so many people and raise over £200 for church funds.

CHURCH LEADERS meet for their monthly meeting in December, but instead of talking shared a thank you meal, given to them by our church leaders. The leaders (Ian and Sue) wanted to thank the team for all their had given to the church in recent weeks and months