From the vicar’s pen December 2022
Christmas, a time for togetherness and goodwill will be soon with us once again. At the birth of Jesus, the angels sang: ‘Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth!’ This, peace is the message of Christmas for us. It’s a message the world desperately needs to hear. Sadly, there are ongoing wars and rumours of wars all over the world. We face catastrophic global warming. Many face health problems and financial worries and an uncertain future. All that can fill people’s hearts with fear and anxiety, rather than peace.
God never promised us that life would be easy. What the birth of Jesus makes clear, though, is that God is with us. The life and death and resurrection of Jesus teach us that God’s love is stronger than anything this world can throw at us. God’s love, light and hope cast out fear. Southwater parish church has stood in the village for 172 years. Over the many years and decades God’s people have felt the peace of Christmas and seen the light of God in Jesus with their inner eyes there whilst living through good and bad times. During difficult days the Church has been a sanctuary of God’s peace, and still is. All are welcome to come and join our special Christmas services
Sun 04 Dec 7.30 pm Advent Carol Service
Sun 11 Dec 10.00 am Christingle Service and Holy Communion
Sun 18 Dec 7.00 pm Candlelit Christmas Carol Service
Fri 23 Dec 7.30 pm Carols sung at the Tipsy Fox pub
Sat 24 Dec 3.00 pm Children’s Nativity Carol Service
Sat 24 Dec 11.30 pm Midnight Christmas Service
Sun 25 Dec 10.00 am All Age Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion
Sun 01 Jan 10.00 New Year’s Day Family Holy Communion
My prayer is that , by God’s grace, Christmas will be a time when we feel the Peace of Christ and are given strength to spread peace and kindness to others. I also pray that we will know God’s closeness in the New Year 2023, and it will be a a year of joy and hope for us all.
With my prayers and all good wishes,
Godfrey