DECEMBER2015/JANUARY2016 NEWSLETTER

Minister Emeritus Rev. J. D. Parker

Licensed for Weddings, Baptisms and Dedications

www.silverendcongregationalchurch.org

“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations Psalm 33:11

Sunday Service Times

10 am and 6.30 pm

We Warmly Welcome You

Church Open Tuesday 10.00-11.45 Term Time

Coffee ‘n Chat Tuesday 10.30-11.45 Term Time

T @ 3 Group 1^st Wed in Month Contact Brenda 583896 Term Time

Singing Group Practise Friday 7.45pm Contact Sharon 583913

Church Secretary Mrs. Anne Smith Tel 583338- Any enquiries

Church Treasurer Mrs. Sharon Gray Tel 583913

Church Telephone No. 584306 - Post Code CM8 3QF (Silver Street)

	AM	PM
6^th	9am Breakfast 10am Family & Parade Service Mrs. Penny Bloom	Mrs. Jenny Haggar, Ipswich, Communion
13^th	Rev. Malcolm Boulter, Tiptree	Choose Your Own Carols Informal Service, followed by seasonable refreshments
20^th	Choose your Own Carols Refreshments afterwards	Traditional Candlelit Service Mr. Charles deLacy & Singers
25^th	10.30am Carols Around the Christmas Tree.
27^th	NO SERVICE	NO SERVICE

DECEMBER

Tues 1^st Prayer & Share 10.00-10.30

Coffee & Chat 10.30-11.45

Wed 2^nd T @ 3 Christmas Party

Fri 4^th Village Christmas Event – Bocking Brass, Father Christmas etc..6pm – 8pm outside the Co-op

Sun 6^th 9am, free BREAKFAST – Cooked for you by Carol & Nicki, followed by the Family and Parade Service at 10am. Penny Bloom will be leading this service, & Bob on the guitar

Tues 8^th Prayer & Share 10.00-10.30

Coffee & Chat 10.30-11.45 – LAST ONE THIS YEAR!

Thurs. 10^th ‘Singers’ singing carols at Valentine House 2.30pm. Please come along and support our friends and enjoy an afternoon together.

Sun 13^th 6.30pm ‘Choose your Own Carols’ A very informal service, but one we look forward to every year. Seasonal refreshments afterwards.

Sun 20^th 6.30pm Candlelit Carol service. With Carols and Readings led by Mr. Charles deLacy. Our ‘Singers’ also.

Fri 25^th Christmas Day -10.30am ‘Carols around the Christmas Tree’ Family Service.

Sun 27^th NO Services today, sorry.

Pause for thought

“But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?”

Romans 10:14

SILVER END GUIDING GROUP - Contact Carol Hutchings

2^nd Rainbows Mon

1^st Guides Mon

2^nd Brownies Tues.

SILVER TOTS (Baby & Toddler Group) meets Thursday Mornings at 10.am-

(Term time)

Carolyn’s Dance Group - Disco/Street Dance Contact Harriet 07855014717

SCOUT GROUP Contact Denise Sullens-Smith 583055

Rangers Meet on Fridays – Contact Carol Hutchings 07870 899832

PREACHERS FOR JANUARY

	AM	PM
3^rd	Phil & Doreen Blowers Maldon	Rev. David Thompson, Braintree, Communion.
10^th	To be Advised	Rev. Malcolm Boulter, Tiptree
17^th	Mr. Ken Davies, Witham. Communion	Mrs. Norma Huxter, Halstead
24^th	Rev. Val. Drury, Witham	Fellowship Service
31^st	Mr. Charles deLacy, Chelmsford	Mr. Dexter Slatter, Colchester. Singers

LOOKING AHEAD TO JANUARY

Tues 5^th NO COFFEE AND CHAT

Wed 6^th NO T@3

Tues 12^th Prayer & Share 10.00-10.30

Coffee & Chat 10.30-11.45

Tues 19^th Prayer & Share 10.00-10.30

Coffee & Chat 10.30-11.45

Wed 20^th Small Churches Meeting The Barn Church, Gt. Totham 2.15pm

Tues 26^th Prayer & Share 10.00-10.30

Coffee & Chat 10.30-11.45

THANKS for all your help

We have so many people to thank for all their assistance over the Christmas period, and this past year. Christmas is such a busy time for everyone, so to give up your time to help decorate the church with all the fantastic Christmas Trees is very much appreciated. There is such a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes that many folk just get on and do without mentioning. Thank you to each and every person who has supported this church in anyway throughout 2015. We really could not have carried on without you and we appreciate you all. We hope you will have a very blessed Christmas and A Happy New Year

Suggested Prayers

‘In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. John1:4,5,9.

Let us prepare ourselves for Christmas personally and spiritually. May we be overwhelmed by Jesus our sure and certain hope. Let us celebrate His birthday in the light of His Resurrection.

Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to those who do not usually attend church, but like to go to a Christmas service. Pray that the truth of the gospel will penetrate their hearts through the Bible readings and carols.

We remember those who find themselves homeless and sleep rough, pray for those that work alongside showing the love of Jesus in practical ways. Working with people who find themselves in desperate situations

Please pray for all families separated over Christmas, we especially would remember all in the armed services serving abroad.

Please keep praying for this fellowship, we have a very full programme of events throughout the Christmas period. We especially ask you to pray for the special services, when we will have opportunity to welcome new people to the fellowship. May they feel the love of Jesus surrounding them.

LORD Jesus our Saviour, may the whole earth resound today with the glorious light of Your gospel! We worship You with great joy and gladness, longing that all would come to know you as Lord. Amen

There are people known to us within the fellowship and in the wider circle of the village, friends and families that need remembering at this time. Those suffering with cancer, anxiety, loneliness and loss. May they draw near to God as he draws near to them. As we approach 2016 we do not know what lies ahead, but we do know who holds the future.

We give thanks for the life of Jack Ritter for his overwhelming kindness and friendship to so many people over the years. He has supported this fellowship with his presence, monetary gifts and great kindness to individuals. He was a great friend to Eileen Rothon, especially after Ted death. When he was still driving, he chauffeured Eileen and others around to different appointments, shops, friends and relatives. When Eileen was ill in hospital Jack visited her faithfully every week, travelling by bus or taxi. After Eileen’s death Jack continued his kindness, bringing cakes and biscuits for the coffee morning, showing his appreciation by sending flowers to many people. Rose has been a very good friend to Jack, they have helped one another over the past few years. Jack, was a real character! We will miss him greatly.