Thought For The Week 12 December 2021

The third Sunday of Advent focuses on the theme of joy. Joy is a deep abiding confidence in the God who comes to us in our most desperate and dark times. Many are going through such times at present and really need to know the joy of the Lord, which provides us with strength and   endurance to keep on going. Joy is not something we manufacture ourselves but is a gift from God. One of the simplest ways to access joy is through the regular habit of thanksgiving. I have noticed there is nearly always something to be thankful for; a kind word offered, a helping hand, a waft of a fragrant garden on a     neighbourhood walk. Focussing on these small blessings has the ability to remind us of God’s joyous abiding presence.

Coming up

Next Sunday (19) at Trinity we will be having a ‘lessons in carols’ service singing our favourite carols telling the Christmas story. The same day at 2:30pm in the Trinity chapel will be our remembrance service for those who wish to acknowledge those who are no longer with us for Christmas.

On Christmas eve we have our Heiligabend service led by Hermann Frank, 6pm at  Trinity.

Our Christmas day service will be at St Stephen’s at 10am and will be led by Rev Johanna Warren from Ashburton.

A reminder that from the 19^th Dec you will be required to show your vaccine pass to  attend any of our worship services (with the exception of the Heiligabend service which is open).

Blessings,

Brent Richardson