Sunday at 7.0
p.m. saw the start of our series of Christmas services, with the Candlelit
Carol Service. With handheld candles and additional Candlelight around the
church, we celebrated the story of Christmas, in words and music.
The series of
lessons read by different members of the congregation reminded us how humanity
had rejected God’s standards, but how he had sent Jesus, his son, to redeem the
fallen world and restore fellowship with him. The mix of traditional
congregational carols and choir items took us through that same sequence.
The brief
address from our vicar, Steve, encouraged us to look beyond the baby to the one
who died at Calvary and wants to be our Saviour. He then led us in prayer for
our fallen troubled world.
Those who stayed
around afterwards enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies.
Our next step in
remembrance of the Christmas story is the Christingle and Crib service at 4.0
p.m. on Christmas Eve, followed by the Midnight Communion at 11.30 p.m.
