Welcome to our urban village church...
We will feel guilty if we don’t find the perfect gift, make the special treats, decorate the tree just so and spend time with friends and family. These are all wonderful things to do but … You know “the buts“ — we feel like failures if we are not able to do it all!
Somehow in the midst of the preparations we need to stop ourselves and set priorities — would it not be wonderful to end the year not in debt, or 10 pounds heavier?
What is most important for you at this time of the year? Is there a way we could commit to focusing on the life of Jesus for this Christmas — follow his way and honour him as we celebrate his birth.
What would this look like? For me, gifts this year will be given in the honour of my family and friends to the “Christmas Gift to Churchill Park United to support our church and our ministries.” This saves me a bunch of time not shopping and worrying if I “got it right!” I hope to use this extra time to visit with shut-ins — folks that don’t have many visitors.
Christmas dinner will be a time to invite at least one maybe more people who are alone for Christmas. Rather than focusing this celebration on me and mine, to focus on others.
I invite you to see the Christ in Christmas and follow his way to see with new eyes those around us who need to feel your love and care, truly honouring the way of Jesus.
A JESUS STORY by John Oldham
There is a Jesus story that stirs the heart to sing!
There is a Jesus story of woman at the well.
There is a Jesus story; Forgiveness is its theme
There is Jesus story of serving those in need.
Have a blessed Christmas
Janet
Churchill Park United, an urban village church...
We begin our preparations for the celebration of Christmas, we call this time Advent. There are times when we get lost in the expectations that our community places on us for the “perfect holiday”. In the next few weeks we will be encouraged to over spend, over eat and over drink.
Of love expressed in sharing, so worth remembering.
The one who showed compassion, the ‘good Samaritan’
Remains an inspiration for all who say: "we can."
It’s radically inclusive, provoking us to tell
The message all are equal regardless of their race
Or creed or gender, colour. All share in Love’s embrace.
Of reconciliation and how Love’s power redeems.
Instead of hate and judgment we live the kindness way
Of caring for each other. We greet the dawning day.
The towel is a symbol of loving-kindness deeds.
The stories do empower us to be a witness to
The way of heart’s compassion in all we say and do.
With love
