MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Responding to good news

Hello everyone!

A week until Christmas Day! How exciting!

While this is a time of universal celebration, it may not be so for many. I have been reflecting on those who have had a difficult year, and why this Christmas might be different from the last one. Those who have lost loved ones, those who have had a marriage or relationship break-up, those who have lost jobs and sources of income, and those who have struggled with deteriorating relationships, whether immediate or extended family with friends.

Those who are looking into the future with dread and uncertainty, Christmas is a time when we remember all these things, and it seriously discourages some of us. In fact, it may not be a Merry Christmas at all.

In the scriptures, we are introduced to two individuals who took good news very differently. One is called Mary, the other is called Zechariah.

Zechariah was doubtful when the angel of the Lord appeared and told him his wife Elizabeth would bear him a son, who would go on to be John the Baptist. These were his words;

The angel of the Lord did not stand for such a response after such good news, so he responded;

On the other hand, this was Mary’s response to the angel with the good news that she would be the mother of the Messiah;

Two very different responses to good news!

I have a theory as to why this happened…We will be talking about it in our Christmas services.

Speaking of Christmas services, here they are again with times, venues and themes.

Have a Merry Christmas Week!!

Mato

CHURCH SUNDAYS

Schedule of the holiday period

We will take two weeks off at the beginning of the year before services resume. We will have a picnic on January the 19th.

CHURCH SUNDAYS

Christingles service

The following Sunday (22nd), we have our Christingle service. Christingle is a joyful celebration that brings families and communities together to share the light of Jesus and spread a message of hope.

Christingles go back to the Moravian church in Germany. At a children's service in Marienborn in 1747, Bishop Johannes de Waterville looked for a simple way to explain the happiness that had come to people through Jesus and created a symbol —Christingles — to do this.

Christingle celebrations are named after the Christingles that are lit during the ceremony. Christingles are oranges wrapped in red tape, decorated with dried fruit or sweets, with a candle on the top. During the service, each person takes a Christingle, and the candles are all lit to create a warm, magical glow symbolising the light of Christ and bringing hope to people living in darkness.

Christingles are made using oranges and a few other bits, as you choose. You light the candle at the end of a service to spread a magical glow around everyone.

Each element of a Christingle has a special meaning and helps to tell the Christian story:

• The orange represents the world.

• The red ribbon (or tape) symbolises the love and blood of Christ.

• The sweets and dried fruit represent all of God’s creations.

• The lit candle represents Jesus’s light in the world, bringing hope to people living in.

GIVING

If you would like to contribute to HCC

We really appreciate everyone who has been giving to HCC. It is because of your generosity that we continue to operate. So please know that we value each contribution and that we are grateful for each member individually.

You can contribute by either using the offering box at the entrance of the church or by giving online.

You can make a donation to:

S.B.S Bank Halswell Community Church

Account: 03-1369-0389284-00

Ref: Tithes and offering

Particulars: Your Name