What’s On at the Three Churches… Sunday 6th January
Here’s what’s on for the week ahead at St James’ Lower Darwen, St Paul’s Hoddlesden and St James’ Over Darwen. #threechurches At St James’ Lower Darwen…
Sunday 6th
- 10.00am Holy Communion.
Monday 7th
- 9.00am School assembly in church.
- 1.00pm St James Stay and Play in church.
- 5.30pm & 6.30pm Rainbows and Brownies in school.
- 6.30pm Exercise class in church.
Tuesday 8th
- 5.00pm & 7.00pm Slimming World in church.
Wednesday 9th
- 10.00am Art Group in church lounge.
- 2.30pm Time Aside Bible Study in the Training Unit.
- 3.30pm After School Drop In.
- 6.30pm Midweek Communion.
Thursday 10th
- 9.00am St James School Coaching sessions in church.
- 9.30am Nurtured by Hand Baby Massage in Upper Room.
Friday 11th
- 9.00am St James School Coaching sessions in church.
- 6.00pm Friday Night Special
Sunday 13th
- 10.00am All Age Worship
- 11.30am Café Church at Roman Road Library (every fortnight)
- 2.30pm Café Church Belthorn.
At St James’ Over Darwen…
Sunday 6th
- 11.15am All Age Worship.
Monday 7th
- 9.30am Prayer meeting in church.
Tuesday 8th
- 6.00pm Rainbows and Brownies in church.
Wednesday 9th
- 11.30am Midweek Communion
Friday 11th
- 9.30am Toddle Tots in church
Sunday 13th
- 11.15am Holy Communion.
And at St Paul’s Hoddlesden…
Sunday 6th
- 10.00am All Age Worship.
Saturday 12th
- 10.00am Coffee Morning at the Carus Centre.
Sunday 13th
- 10.00am Holy Communion.
Our Christmas Message
Luke 2:8-20
The Witness of the Shepherds
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The true Christmas story should need little introduction but sadly many are not so familiar with it any more, with people associating Christmas more with Santa Claus than with Jesus. St Nicholas was indeed an early Christian saint and a follower of Christ though he was not born until around 270 years later. Others – more worryingly – don’t even know what they are celebrating. Here is a short video that Lisa found that explains it all in an easy to understand way – a Nativity play from a new perspective. Remember that to enter God’s Kingdom we must accept Him with the same innocence and trust that a child accepts a parent.
© Copyright - St James Church