Buxton United Reformed Church Hardwick Square East December 2017 January 2018
Dear friends, Christmas is in full swing! The commercial one, with the jingle of reindeers and cash registers and the real one, with God s promises of hope in Jesus. One will fade out a few days after 25 th ; the other will continue even in the harsh cold of January (and it s not the commercial one!). So let s ensure that we don t get too invested in the short-term Christmas this year, enjoyable though it can be! Even our view of the stable can look a bit too cosy and Disneyfied if we re not careful, and the angels message seem like an escapist dream. But in fact God came to the real world where poverty and indifference, racism and violence are as much in the Christmas story as the angels. For Mary and Joseph, enforced refugees by a brutal Roman government, found indifference to their needs in Bethlehem s inn and the paranoid violence of Herod, every bit as nasty as Isis today. And yet God chose this, to show that the message of hope was not exclusive, or simply for the religious. He chose to tell first some ordinary shepherds working the nightshift and probably seen as nobodies by many around them. Then he chose some foreign wise guys, viewed by some as unwelcome immigrants, to bring their gifts to Jesus and be part of the amazing narrative which is the Christmas story. So there is real hope in the Christmas message. Not just a fond wish for peace, but a light which has shone in the darkness and not been extinguished, (John 1: 1 5). A hope of forgiveness for the indifferent, the violent, the perpetrators of injustice as well as its victims. In short, anyone who makes room for Jesus will find that new life can be born in them in us. Whatever the past can be blotted out and the future assured. Immanuel God is with us, on our side, if we will give Him the room. And those who follow the star find Him in Person. (Those who follow Star Wars only find the force!) And we are the messengers of this hope; we are the angels and the star in the nativity tableau, pointing others to God s love. We are
called to be a love bank as well as a food bank to demonstrate God s love. May your Christmas be truly a celebration of hope and peace in Christ, With love, Steve Gifts What do you want for Christmas? What are you going to give? We're so often wrapped up with this We haven t got time to live. The world it seems to complicate You don't have to spend that much. Try and keep things simple. Don't get out of touch. God's given us all our special gifts. To enjoy with people and share. Gifts to help us enjoy and grow To show others that we care. Christmas, it is every day. Though a lot would disagree. With Jesus as our special gift He came for you and me. Use the gifts you have been given in God's grace, so that He may be praised through Jesus. 1 Peter 4 v 11 What about new year resolutions? I suggest reading the BE attitudes in Matthew 5. Enjoy this special time Love Fiona Bingham
Terminally ill boy, five, dies in arms of Father Christmas Reported by Harriet Alexander in New York A terminally ill boy in Tennessee has died in the arms of Father Christmas having said that his final wish was to meet him. The unnamed five-year-old from Nashville was being cared for in a children s hospital. When a nurse heard his wish, she called Eric Schmitt-Matzen, a 60-year-old mechanical engineer who dresses up as Father Christmas about 80 times a year to entertain the children. With his bushy white beard and6ft frame, Mr Schmitt-Matzen is a natural for the role. He went straight to the hospital and a nurse handed him a gift ready for the sick boy. He told the family members gathered that if they were going to cry they could not come in as it would cause him to break down too. He entered the boy s hospital room, sat on his bed and asked him ; What s this I hear about you re going to miss Christmas. You re my number one elf. The boy perked up, Mr Schmitt-Matzen said, and unwrapped the toy. He then told him: They say I m going to die. How can I tell when I get to where I m going? Mr Schmitt-Matzen replied: When you get there, you tell them you re Santa s number one elf, and I know they ll let you in. The boy then gave Mr Schmitt-Matzen a hug. I wrapped my arms around him. Before I could say anything, he died right there, Mr Schmitt-Matzen told his local newspaper. Submitted by Eileen Blane from the Daily Telegraph, Christmas 2016
May you be blessed With the spirit of the season, which is peace, The gladness of the season, which is hope, And the heart of the season, which is love. God grant you lightness in your step, A smile on every face you meet, Loved ones gathered at your hearth, And at your door, good friends to greet A holy hymn upon your lips, A window candle burning bright And may the Good Lord bless your heart And come to dwell there Christmas night. An Irish Christmas Blessing
Telling stories of Mission in Derbyshire Tim Gossling (Derby Church Net) writes: Up and down the county, God is at work. Whether in the most rural parts of the Peak District, in the city, or the many small towns - there are stories to be told of lives being changed through creative approaches to mission, right on our doorstep. At the Mission Together in Derbyshire event on 7th October, people were encouraged by reps from four organisations that work in different ways in our area. Phil Morton of Derby City Mission gave a presentation about their work, and also a picture of how, with the assistance of a Home Office grant, he is investigating homelessness provision in the rest of Derbyshire and it wasn't all doom and gloom. Then Deacon Lorraine Brown gave four pictures of her work as Peak Park Mission Enabler (Faith in the Peak) - including projects in Tissington, Monyash, Berresford Dale and Edale all with positive developments where tiny chapels were previously feeling low. Her work, like Phil s, actually spreads over into Staffordshire, where she lives in Longnor. Jonathan Brook spoke for Valley CIDS. Thanks to their 33 Lighthouse Charity Shops, they are able to do all sorts of work 'investing in the next generation'. Their Quest and Blend arms are doing a variety of work with
children and young people, partly in schools and partly in their own premises, including Turner Farm in Swanwick. And last but not least, Moira Biggins spoke for Workplace Chaplaincy in Derbyshire and the growing chaplaincy movement, providing a listening ear to workers in many varied workplaces. The day, arranged by Churches Together for Derbyshire, was an opportunity for strategic networking, and many new contacts and relationships were formed. Paul King was one of the organisers. He said, The day was remarkably uplifting... it was terrific to hear such imaginative, creative and dedicated things not just happening but bearing fruit. Up and down the county, as elsewhere, people are finding encouragement and thoughtfulness. Please pray for us and stand by for the next development. http://www.derbychurch.net/ Please pray for Sophie, Steve and Debbie Fisher s granddaughter, as her family and doctors are very concerned about her health. Eileen Blane who will be going into hospital soon for an operation on her shoulder. Leslie Caddy who will be going into hospital soon for an operation on her foot. Fiona Bingham s Mum and husband John who are experiencing difficult times at the moment.
Dates for your diary. Christmas services at Buxton U.R.C. Sunday 10 th December at 10. 30am will be a parade service for our uniformed organisations and an opportunity for you to bring friends and neighbours to sing familiar carols and new ones too. Led by Steve, our minister. Sunday 17 th December 5-6pm An alternative Christmas service. Everyone is welcome to take a break from Christmas shopping (and carols) and share tea together (bring whatever you have whether it is Christmassy or not) and we will share in some Christmas crafts and conversation. Sunday 24 th December 10. 30 am Christmas Eve carol service led by our minister as we prepare for the day itself. The University of Derby Chaplaincy Carol Service is on Wednesday December 6 th at the dome at 2.30pm followed by refreshments. 18 25 January 2018 is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. On Sunday 21 st January there will be a special service at 6pm at the Buxton Community Church
Buxton United Reformed Church Everyone is welcome to come to our Sunday Services December 3rd 10.30 am Morning Worship Charles Jolly December 10th 10.30 am Carol Service Steve Fisher December 17th 10.30am Fellowship service December 24th 10.30 am Christmas Eve carols and festivities Steve Fisher December 31st 10.30 am Morning Worship Charles Jolly January 7th 10.30 am Morning Worship Mark Houghton January 14th 10.30 am Communion Service Steve Fisher January 21st 10.30 am Morning Worship Lorraine Brown January 28th 10.30 am Morning Worship February 4th 10.30 am Morning Worship Mark Houghton
Harvest Donation to High Peak Foodbank I write to acknowledge receipt of Buxton Reformed Church s kind Harvest Celebration donation of 91.73 and thank them for their continued support. Last year the foodbank provided over 30,000 meals to local families and individuals who were going through a period of crisis. We are pleased to be able to tell you that we are now able to do more to help people resolve their issues sooner through our welfare advice service. But, more than that we are extending our service to support more former foodbank users into work so that they don t need to use a foodbank again. Last year we helped over 30 people this way and we hope to double that this year. Your donation will help to make positive changes for people in our community. Again many thanks for the valued support. It is much appreciated Yours sincerely For and on behalf of Buxton and District Foodbank and Zink Employability CIO. Richard Hough Honorary Treasurer Count your blessings instead of your crosses. Count your gains instead of your losses. Count you joys instead of your woes. Count your friends instead of your foes. Count your smiles instead of your tears. Count your courage instead of your fears. Count your full years instead of your lean. Count your kind deeds instead of your mean. Count your health instead of your wealth. Count on God instead of yourself. Author Unknown Submitted by Debbie Delight
Dates to Remember Lunch Club Christmas lunch will be on Thursday 14 th December. Please let Eileen know if you wish to join us for lunch. Church Meeting Sunday February 11 th 2018 After the morning service (12 noon approx.) Fellowship Evenings Wednesdays at 7:30 9:00pm Mostly at the Manse. Contributions for the magazine We appreciate your contributions so please keep them coming. Contributions please for the next magazine to Eileen and Peter Blane by Monday 22 nd January 2018 for the February publication. To ensure your magazine is as informative as possible please keep us up-to-date with news and events. Tel: 01298 27591 or email peter@blane.co.uk
Sunday Worship Family Service 10.30 a.m. Communion Service - 2 nd Sunday of each month We offer a sincere, loving welcome to all in Christian Worship Minister: Rev. Steve Fisher Tel. No: 01298 938831. Web site: www.buxtonurc.org.uk Weekly Activities for Children and Young People Rainbows: Tues. 5-6pm Leader: Stephanie Sterndale (Mobile Tel. No: 07967205209) Brownies: Thurs. 6 7:30pm Leader: Cath Sterndale (Mobile Tel. No: 07973670595) Guides: Tues. 6pm Leader: Stephanie Sterndale (Mobile Tel. No: 07967205209) Other Activities Fellowship Evenings Wednesdays Lunch Club 1 st Thursday in the month Tuesday Club - every week 2pm