MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Your efforts made a real difference

Hello everyone.

This is a late newsletter. I just want to say thank you to everyone who was involved in running the fun day. From those who worked tirelessly all week before the event, to those who were there during and after, and those who gave so much of their time, effort and energy the whole way through. I really appreciate you all. 

This Sunday we have a carols and reading service, but it is also combined with a child dedication. We will therefore not do all the readings but focus on the dedication and Christmas carols.

The family dedicating their child is new and has just moved back from Nicaragua. They are slowly integrating back into New Zealand life and want to make HCC their home church. I am honoured to dedicate their daughter Savanna.

Just so you do not get shocked and walk away, I will be wearing robes on Sunday. I know, that’s a shock.

Martin.

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