Follow the star – the Great Invitation
This Christmas will be the first time since the Covid pandemic that we can invite our neighbours and our communities to an in-person gathering where all can hear the Christmas story and be welcomed into the love of Jesus.
By now, many will have welcomed people in for Carol and Christingle services. Now is the time to pray over and during all these activities that the message from the very first Christmas will be experienced anew this year.
Starting on Christmas Eve and continuing daily until Epiphany (6 January), you can also share a series of reflections that will help you make space this Christmas. On each of the 12 days, a different contributor will share something that speaks of a Christmas invitation for them, bringing the theme to life through a mixture of personal story, Bible reading, reflection and challenge.
Let’s follow the star and offer God’s Great Invitation this Christmas.
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Two into One
When does ‘B&B’ speak of hospitality, warmth and welcome but not of ‘bed and breakfast’?
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The Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2023
A hospice can provide a warm and loving space to families in the bleakest of times.
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A warm place for young people
Barnham Broom Youth Café has been running for 18 months by the local church with support from North Breckland Youth for Christ.
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A space for early learning warmed by the sun
More space was needed at St Michael’s CofE Primary in Aylsham so, in a project driven by the Diocese of Norwich, a new nursery has been constructed for Acorn Class.
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Hong Kong families made welcome
Rachel grew up in Hong Kong and has close family there, so when she saw families turning up in Holy Trinity Church, Norwich, last winter, she was able to connect with them with a question from the heart, “Are you new here?”
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Boundless love
It was a momentous week for Garry and Penny as they had just said goodbye to their last (probably 100th!) foster child and were now retiring.
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Café at The Well – an invitation to encounter Christ
A church plant in Ingoldisthorpe, West Norfolk is serving up a warm welcome with barista-produced coffee in a café-setting in the local church hall.
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Solar panel projects as a prophetic voice
Along with many others, our churches are facing a fierce hike in heating bills this winter which focuses our attention on our dependency upon fossil fuels.
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A hug from God
Sarah Russell of St Faith’s, Gaywood, is a weaver. “I wanted to start a creative group at church with a faith-filled intent.
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No place like home
Liam is in his own home this Christmas. For a number of years, he has flitted between the streets of Great Yarmouth and temporary accommodation.
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