Dear Friends, Christmas Message To All December 2018 At Christmas, everyone is called to wrap their minds around the prospect of the impending God with Us and what that presence means for all of life - how we love, how we live. This God in the form of the baby Jesus, upsets all of our living and being. This story of the Angel Gabriel's message to Mary is surrounded by the impossible... and the angel's confession that "nothing is impossible for God" finds its deepest meaning in the fact that life is not as it is... what seems impossible, is in fact possible. The Christmas story changes every one who dares to be changed and it started with Mary... She was part of the greatest religious revolution the world has ever known. She would have to bear as a mother the rejection by others of her son; his death on the cross; his resurrection from the dead - a joyous event; and the heart breaking ascension of Jesus...sermons for another time. Mary cannot even believe this impossible - possible situation; "... Me...who am I... why am I special...... You have got to be kidding...". Mary knows her place, she knows who she is, where she comes from and this should not be happening to her she doesn t deserve this. She's a she, a teenager, and from the wrong side of the tracks but she is some-one who dared to believe. Mary moves from an ordinary girl to a highly favoured woman... from a Mary to the mother of God, from denial to discipleship, from an ordinary observer to a participating believer and this, I believe, is the appropriate transition from Advent to Christmas. Mary s response of; "How can this be?" resonates deep within us for she reminds us of our own inadequacies, of our in-abilities, of our own in-securities of ever been used or been entrusted with a promise by God. But as we hear her response of faith; "Let it be with me according to you word, we too are moved from the absence of God, to the presence of God, from the place of doubt to the place of trust, from the place of nothing to the place of everything. Mary's story moves us all from who we think we are to what God has called us to be, from observant believer to confessing apostle, from obscurity to visibility... No longer do we say; my God might." No, we are moved to say; "my God will and my God can...this is the promise of Christmas. Although 2019 will come with its own challenges and with its own problems, it comes also with even greater opportunities and greater possibilities, because of the One who knows us... because of the One who has made us.
Folks, in your present hunting, as you are about to unwrap presents, about to cut up the turkey, tuck into that Christmas pudding, about to open that can of beer, have a glass of mulled wine or something stronger, about to sing the ol Christmas Carols, about to kiss one more pair of lips, or even go away on holiday to get away from it all!!! Can I ask that you take a moment and once again look into the face of the Christ-child, in the manger, and see if you can t recognise the human face of God, who gave His all so that we can live a life that is worth living, in a world that is worth having, because of a promise that God thought was worth giving? Believe me that when we do, we too, like the shepherds and the kings, will never be the same again... It is then that we will find the Louis Armstrong song, What a wonderful world this could be to be the perfect song at Christmas. Failing that, you and I can remain like the animals in the barn, forever just looking in and thinking; surely not... For the greatest Gift that God has given this world, was his Son, the greatest gift that we can give God, is what we do with His Son. Wishing you all a very blessed and meaningful Christmas and a very joyful and purposeful New Year. Pastor Dhenis, Emma, Rohan and Adehle Romans 15:13: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" Day of Prayer & Fasting - Monday 3rd December The leadership team will be spending Monday 3rd December together, as they seek the Lord s will for the Church,as we move forward together as Church in 2019. If you are able to support the team through prayer and fasting during the day (they are aiming to finish at 4pm), they would really value you commitment to underpin every aspect of Church life with a desire for us to know the Lord s will. Sponsored beard shave! Many of you will know that Amanda s husband John is having his beard shaved off on Friday 30th November as part of the Movember Campaign, which our local Men s Shed are supporting. Movember seeks to raise awareness for the issues surrounding men s health and in particular focuses on Men s mental well being along with research into prostrate and testicular cancer. If you would like to sponsor John please speak to him or Amanda thank you. Grow Your Tenner is Back! Local Giving are once again running their Grow your Tenner campaign. As with last year they are matching donations given via Direct debit and only after the first six months. For the second half of the year they will match up to a maximum of 10 per month per donor. In contrast to previous years there is no single donation matching. If you are eligible for Gift Aid that can be reclaimed by them as well. The pot is only 100 000 this year. Grow your Tenner starts at 10am on Tuesday 11th of December 2018. Please note that donations made before 10am on that day will not be matched, this includes any still active direct debits you may already have with them from previous campaigns. The campaign ends whenever the match fund runs out or midday on Thursday the 10th January 2018 (whichever comes first). Given how popular this scheme is it is likely that the money will run out within a day or two of launch so if you want to help raise funds for our building fund please be prepared to act quickly. Last year even after their small administration fee the church raised a fantastic 2306.64 through this scheme, so a huge thank you to anyone who gave through this campaign. If you require any further details or have any questions please either speak to Maggie or click here.
Sunday 16 December - Christmas Nativity Service led by our Junior Church. Sunday 23 December - Christmas Carol Service Christmas Eve - Monday 24th December 11.30pm - At the United Reformed Church - Speaker Dhenis Stafford. In the busy-ness leading up to Christmas Day this service is a lovely time of calm reflection and real blessing if you are able to attend. Christmas Day - Tuesday 25 December - Christmas Day Celebration service Welcomer s Rota Sunday 2nd - Amanda and Peter Sunday 9th - Hazel and Peter Sunday 16th - Joan and Clive Sunday 23rd - Breda and Gordon Christmas Day - Brenda and Graham Sunday 30th - Nicola and David Mince Pies As part of our sense of fellowship and outreach to the community this year, it would be lovely if we could have mince pies with our refreshments after the following services: Nativity Service on the morning of 16th December Carol Service on the morning of the 23rd December Evening Service on the 23rd So if anyone would like to make or buy mince pies for any of the above services please could you let Maggie or Judith know.
What s on in December? Dates for your Diary Monday 3rd 9.00am Leaders Away Day @ Home Choir Tuesday 4th 7.30pm Housegroups - Kate H s, Chris and Heather s, Ian and Nic s. Wednesday 5th Thursday 6th Friday 7th Monday 10th 3.30pm 2.00pm 11.30am Prayer Fellowship Service at Sobell Lodge Housegroup - Clive and Lynne s Free Bees Sing a long Club Junior Badminton Adult Badminton Club Ladies Badminton Club Service at Staplehurst Manor Choir Tuesday 11th 7.30pm Housegroups - Kate H s, Chris and Heather s, Ian and Nic s. Wednesday 12th Thursday 13th 3.30pm Prayer Fellowship Service at Sobell Lodge Housegroup - Clive and Lynne s Free Bees Junior Badminton Adult Badminton Club Friday 14th Ladies Badminton Club Monday 17th Tuesday 18th Wednesday 19th 4.00pm 11.30am 7.30pm 2.00pm 3.30pm Service at Iden Manor Nursing Home Housegroups - Kate H s, Chris and Heather s, Ian and Nic s. Prayer Fellowship Choir at Iden Manor Nursing Home Choir at Sobell Lodge Friday 21st 11.00am Choir at Abbotsleigh Nursing Home Monday 24th 11.30pm Midnight Communion at the URC Christmas Day Christmas service at SFC SHEPHERDS' MARKET This years Shepherds Market at All Saints will be on: SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER 11.00-2.00pm An opportunity to buy Christmas gifts and crafts and enjoy Shepherds Pie for lunch! Christmas Cards As in previous years we will again be supporting the Falconer Trust by writing one Christmas card to the entire church. These will then be displayed on the corridor noticeboard, and any money you save can be donated to the Falconer Trust instead. For those of you unfamiliar with the work of the Falconer Trust they support a large orphanage Zambia which has saved the lives of many children over the decades. If you would like to learn more about their work or to read the Falconer Trusts latest newsletter please click here to be taken to their website. Alternatively there is a printed copy of their newsletter available on the corridor notice board.
Christmas Unwrapped Carol Concert Sunday 9th December 6-8pm This event is an additional outreach event organised by J John following on from the Just One event last summer. The Christmas Carol Concert will be hosted at: KICC Prayer City, Buckmore Park ME5 9QG There is ample parking on site although there will also be free shuttle buses running from Maidstone East Train station from 5-6pm, and back again after the event. The event is free although there will be a retiring collection to cover expenses. Everyone who attends is encouraged to bring family and friends Please note there will be a normal Sunday evening service at SFC that evening as well. Family Service 2nd December at 10:30am Please would you bring your mobile phone to this morning s service. To find out why you ll have to come and see. Church Office Closed The week commencing 17th December the church office will be open Monday to Wednesday, 17th 19th please note change of days. The church office will then be closed for a fortnight and will re-open Tuesday 8th January Year End seems a good time to thank all those who help out around the church in many ways, often unseen except by the church administrator! As Paul says in Philippians 1 v3 I thank my God every time I remember you. Your commitment to the Lord, His work and SFC is gratefully appreciated. Thank you Christmas Coffee Morning in aid of the Weald Family Hub. Many thanks to all from the URC for your support for their event. As a result they have raised around 720 for the Weald Family Hub! This is amazing when you consider that this will enable the hub to match fund a school's input for counselling from Fegans and double the number of children in the school being able to access the service. THANK YOU! Samaritans Purse Shoe Box appeal: Thank you - 135 Boxes were collected by Samaritan's Purse at the end of November. Volunteers Needed! Have you always wanted to help out with the children s work but never quite got around to offering? Now s your chance! It would be helpful if we could expand our various Sunday School teaching teams. If you are interested please speak to one of the leadership team. Thank you. Copy deadline for December Surface by Thursday 20th December to Kate please
www.staplehurstfreechurch.org.uk Registered Charity no: 1127205 Church Leadership Team Minister: Rev. Dhenis Stafford Email: dhenis@staplehurstfreechurch.org.uk Mobile: 07771 288199 Elders: Terence Hawgood: Roger Bashford: Steve Parsons: Deacons: Bob Howse: Maggie Martin: Sophie Hawkes: Staplehurst Free Church Church Administrator: Maggie Martin Email: info@staplehurstfreechurch.org.uk Office Tel No.: 01580 893993 Website: www.staplehurstfreechurch.org.uk Services in December Sunday 2nd Family Service Theme: A Talking God Evening Praise and Communion Theme: A Church for All Sunday 9th 10.45am Worship and Communion Theme: A Praying Church Evening Praise Theme: To Pray or Not to Pray Sunday 16th Christmas Nativity Service Evening Service Theme: A Church of Celebration Sunday 23rd Christmas Carol Service Evening Service Theme: Christmas in a Box Christmas Day Christmas Day Celebration Service Sunday 30th Morning Service No Evening Service