Christmas News - 22 December
Dear friends
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalm 34:7
I have been greatly encouraged to read the story of the 12 abducted missionaries, who managed to escape from their captors in Haiti. The secular press seems to be unplaying the miraculous way God enabled the escape to happen.
From the beginning of their ordeal, the missionaries showed great faith, even singing The Angel of the Lord Encampeth Round About Them (from Psalm 34) as they were being captured. They prayed consistently every day and felt God prompting them to make an escape. On the 15 December, they made their move and found that the way simply opened up before them, despite numerous guards close by. You can read the full story here.
As we approach the celebration of God becoming a human being at Christmas, born of a virgin, this story is another timely reminder that nothing is impossible for God. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8
Thank you for all who enabled Sunday's Carols By Candlelight service to be so wonderful - if you missed it, you can catch it here.
Sunday morning's service is here
We are now looking forward to our Christmas services, which will be going ahead in the church. Please take a lateral flow test before coming and wear a mask. If, however, you cannot make it in person, please catch us online at https://www.facebook.com/stjohnselmswell/live .
Fri 24 Dec 3:30pm Nativity Service (NOT available online)
Fri 24 Dec 8:30pm Midnight in Bethlehem Communion (also streamed online)
Sat 25 Dec 10:00am Christmas Day Celebration (also streamed online)
Sun 26 Dec 10:30am Short Communion and Carols (NOT available online)
Finally, please note that there are no church prayer meetings on the next two Saturdays. We will meet again over Zoom on Saturday 8 January.
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas.
Peter
Wed 22 Dec 2021
