We continue to observe the COVID-19 protocols. We resume serving refreshments after service from Sunday 5th December. Thank you to all those who have volunteered to go on the Coffee Rota. Further volunteers are welcome.
If waiting for refreshments, please proceed into the Foyer area after service and queue (with face covering on and observing the usual safe distance) to be served at the counter. You can remove your face covering once seated. Please wear your face covering while moving around.
Great and wonderful are the things the Lord has done for us. The people who walked in darkness have seen the Light (Isaiah 9:2). Every birth is a miracle, and every child is a gift from God. But 2021 years ago, the miracle of miracles occurred. A baby was born, but he was the son of God. The gospels tell of this birth, but Dr Luke as though he were the attending physician, provides most of the details surrounding this awesome occasion. With a divine father and a human mother, Jesus entered history- God in the flesh. Luke 2:1-7 (NKJV).
As soon as Jesus was born, Angels announced the joyous event to the shepherds who in turn went out praising God and spreading the good news.Let us all go out and tell it to the world that Christ is born. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us not lose the meaning of Christmas by commercialising it.
We are celebrating this Christmas when things are not good for most of us. Some have had to cancel their holiday trips, weddings and many other important events due to covid19. Since we do not have the gift of clairvoyance, our planning is dependent on what the future holds for us but above all, in God we trust. I hope to start my Sabbatical soon after Christmas and Phil and all the ministers from the Blue Mission and Ministry Team will take care of you.
I wish you a blessed and Merry Christmas full of love, peace and joy. May you be filled with the obedience of Mary and Joseph, the eagerness of the shepherds and the determination of the wise men from the East.
In Christ
Cleopas
EVERY MONDAY: 7.00 pm – Food Cycles have re-started their community meals in the Foyer. Numbers are limited to 20 at present.
PRAYER REQUESTS
If you would like a prayer shared in the service, please fill in a prayer request card. These are available from the box on the trolley at the back of the church and, when completed, should be handed to a Steward before the service begins.
For the 3 months to November, offerings averaged £680 per week. Benevolent Fund donations for November were £11.
There is the choice of having a set of envelopes, making a monthly standing order, a regular payment by bank transfer, or cash.
Please place your offering (cash or envelope) in the plate provided at the exit as you leave after the service.
The church account: Sort Code is 403807, account no 51375369, Bank HSBC. Thank you.
CHRISTMAS CARDS/ ACTION FOR CHILDREN Friends are invited to send one Christmas card to the whole church family rather than individual cards and then make a donation to Action for Children, which works tirelessly with vulnerable children and their families and has been supported by the Methodist church for very many years. (Further details may be obtained from Evelyn Jones) The cards will be displayed on a church notice board and a box for donations will be available in the Coffee Pot. Many thanks.
CHRISTMAS COLLECTIONS
You are invited to make a donation to Action for Children at the Christmas Eve Communion and on Christmas Day.
ALL NOTICES FOR THE NEXT SHEET (SUNDAYS, 2 and 9 JANUARY) SHOULD BE GIVEN TO REMI OLATUNBOSUN OR SENT TO info@longbridgemethodistchurc.org BY WEDNESDAY EVENING, 29 DECEMBER.
1654/8 Bristol Road South Rednal Birmingham B45 9TY