Christmas in the Vineyard

I love Christmas in the Vineyard. Last Sunday was a blast - lots of Christmas decorations, lights, carols and mince pies - and the presence of He whom we celebrate. In the morning there was an amazing nativity play with an overwhelming response as people brought their gifts during the Christmas Family Service and then a beautifully ambient Carol Service in the evening.

You really are a worshipping church!

Both services were followed by refreshments when people didn't seem to want to go home as they ate, drank and spent time together.

You are a friendly and fellowshipping church!

Thankyou for inviting your friends, family and neighbours. We were able to welcome many guests and share a wonderful occasion with them.

You are an invitational church!

Thank you too for the enormous response to our Reverse Advent appeal. You brought loads of wonderful and useful gifts on the Sunday and then a team spent Monday morning parcelling up scores of hampers and gift boxes so that people for whom Christmas is a struggle may have an extra reason to celebrate this year.

You are a very generous church!

Alison and I particularly wish to say a BIG THANKYOU to the many, many people who gave so much time and energy to make it all happen. Dozens of people served, many behind the scenes in the weeks leading up to Sunday and many on the day itself. You gave up your time and energy and you also shared your own gifts and talents. You know who you are and you can take credit for playing your part in making Sunday a very special day. We enjoyed it so much and the King whom we come to worship loved it too:)

You are such a serving church!

A couple of pictures attached - we'll post the music and words and more photos soon, check out the website and our FB page.

Weekly worship as normal next Sunday (when we will also launch next term's Small Group programme), and then we gather to worship on Christmas Day too. On New Year's Day we have another Expedition - meeting in Ilkley to welcome in the New Year with a brisk stroll across the Moor.

Check out my blog on pastorflowers.me "Christmas messes with my money mind".

Happy Christmas - and thanks once again.

David