Hazelwell Weekly Contact December 3rd 2023
2 Dec 2023 • Weekly Notices
Hazelwell Weekly Contact December 3rd 2023 10.00am
Advent Sunday
Hazelwell Christingle and Parade Service
Led by Val & Andy Harris
Cash donations to the collection plate this Sunday will be donated to the Children's Society, who have for many years been associated with the celebration of Christingle services. Please give generously
Weekly Giving envelopes will go to church funds as normal
Please pray for
All suffering in the face of renewed hostilities in Gaza
Please remember in your prayers all who feel lonely or vulnerable.
Also the residents of Partons Road and Chirton Grove.
Parish Update
Celebrate Advent and Christmas with us at Hazelwell
Carol Services
Sunday December 17th : 10.00am led by Rev’d Barbara Calvert
Join us to sing your favourite carols followed by coffee & mince-pies
Christmas Eve led by Val & Andy Harris
Sunday December 24th 10.00am- the story of the nativity
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Christmas Communion Sunday December 25th 10.00am
led by Arch-Deacon Rev’d Jenny Tomlinson
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Reflection on Christingle
FromSt Mark's Church Community Centre
At my first Christingle service I found decorating oranges a bit strange and wondered what on earth was going on. It didn’t take long for me to realise that this was actually a great way to tell others and remind ourselves of some important truths. The first Christingle (a candle wrapped in ribbon) was introduced by Bishop Johannes de Watteville in Marienborn, Germany, in 1747 as a way of explaining to young children the importance of Jesus and it is just as helpful today for children and adults alike. In 1968, John Pensom of The Children’s Society adapted Christingle and introduced the symbol we use today—an orange encircled by red ribbon holding a candle, dried fruit and sweets.
Christingle remains a great way to visualise important spiritual truths because the symbolism of the orange and the candle is a powerful one. As the Christingle candle burns over the orange it represents the light of Jesus over the world and reminds us that Jesus was proclaimed not only the ‘light of the world’ but also that those who followed him would not walk in darkness.
It is in this season of Advent, amidst the darkness of our world that we are reminded of the enduring promises of God. Jesus was born into circumstances equally uncertain and dark, and his birth bears witness to the enduring reliability of God’s promise. Today we remember words spoken by John the Baptist and others across generations who have recognised in Jesus God’s unrelenting commitment to our world.
During this season of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany and Candlemas, we prepare for and celebrate the arrival of Jesus, who is God incarnate (God ‘in the flesh’). Jesus brings light and hope into a world of darkness, and we are entrusted to listen and respond to the message he brought so that our lives can be transformed and we can help bring that message to others.
Christmas Communion Sunday December 25th 10.00am
led by Arch-Deacon Rev’d Jenny Tomlinson
Reflection on Christingle
FromSt Mark's Church Community Centre
At my first Christingle service I found decorating oranges a bit strange and wondered what on earth was going on. It didn’t take long for me to realise that this was actually a great way to tell others and remind ourselves of some important truths. The first Christingle (a candle wrapped in ribbon) was introduced by Bishop Johannes de Watteville in Marienborn, Germany, in 1747 as a way of explaining to young children the importance of Jesus and it is just as helpful today for children and adults alike. In 1968, John Pensom of The Children’s Society adapted Christingle and introduced the symbol we use today—an orange encircled by red ribbon holding a candle, dried fruit and sweets.
Christingle remains a great way to visualise important spiritual truths because the symbolism of the orange and the candle is a powerful one. As the Christingle candle burns over the orange it represents the light of Jesus over the world and reminds us that Jesus was proclaimed not only the ‘light of the world’ but also that those who followed him would not walk in darkness.
It is in this season of Advent, amidst the darkness of our world that we are reminded of the enduring promises of God. Jesus was born into circumstances equally uncertain and dark, and his birth bears witness to the enduring reliability of God’s promise. Today we remember words spoken by John the Baptist and others across generations who have recognised in Jesus God’s unrelenting commitment to our world.
During this season of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany and Candlemas, we prepare for and celebrate the arrival of Jesus, who is God incarnate (God ‘in the flesh’). Jesus brings light and hope into a world of darkness, and we are entrusted to listen and respond to the message he brought so that our lives can be transformed and we can help bring that message to others.