I am writing this in a brief moment before setting off for our Sunday morning meeting at Yelvertoft. Despite the fact that there were not many engagements this week it has seemed very busy. One of the tasks that I have been engaged upon has been writing letters to friends and relatives and sending them out with Christmas cards. Last year we produced our own card combined with a letter; this year we have been supporting a charity that relies on card sales. It isn't always easy to know what is the right way to mark this special time of the year without getting caught up with the commercialisation. The man who runs my local sub post office told me that he has run out of the 10,000 special stamps he purchased!
The process has reminded me of just how rich Doreen and I are when it comes to family, friends and other relatives. It has also provided the opportunity to look back over the year and record God's blessings. We are truly thankful.
At this stage I had to break off and I am continuing writing on Monday morning. Today I should have been going to Winchester for a supervision meeting at the University but I developed a cold over the weekend that has gone to my chest so I have requested a telephone conference instead to avoid risking incapacitating me for the next two weeks!
Yesterday morning instead of giving a talk as usual in the meeting at Yelvertoft I used the script of a four part drama entitled 'The Angel's Tearoom'. This involves discussions between angels of the four occasions in which they were involved in the Christmas story. It needs a little polishing but if anyone is interested in having a copy you can download it from this link. We interspersed this with hymns and carols chosen by the congregation.
In the afternoon we had the Christmas Carol Service at Gartree Prison. We were packed out. The SA band and songsters from Kettering led everything musical and my choir sang 'Come now with awe' to Finlandia. It went very well, as did the whole event.
I might have to give this week's Tuesday visit to prison a miss to save straining my lungs. I have learned from previous years that working and singing through heavy chesty colds is far from wise. It would just set me back for the other events coming up...
On Wednesday I am leading the carol service for the village Seniors Circle in the afternoon. Then on Thursday we have the Christmas Warmer at Yelvertoft. This is the main Christmas event for our church and contrasts and complements what goes on from the Parish Church. It is based around generous hospitality and is not a church service. We sing favourite carols as chosen by those attending. The message of Christmas is subtly interwoven with the carols.
Next Sunday 18th we have a special service in the morning at Yelvertoft that will incorporate the renewal of marriage vows by a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. I have designed a service that will echo much of their wedding, including their original hymns. The couple will process in, and they have some new rings to exchange as well as promises. Afterwards we are having a wedding meal in the church for congregation and members of their family. I think making their vows in front of their adult children and grandchildren will be very special. If the format is useful to anyone else please email or phone me.
During the next two weeks a number of key dates will be fixed in the diary creating a framework around which the research will be developed. Please pray for wisdom as the 'jigsaw' comes together.
Thank you again for your friendship and support in prayer.
Barry
The process has reminded me of just how rich Doreen and I are when it comes to family, friends and other relatives. It has also provided the opportunity to look back over the year and record God's blessings. We are truly thankful.
At this stage I had to break off and I am continuing writing on Monday morning. Today I should have been going to Winchester for a supervision meeting at the University but I developed a cold over the weekend that has gone to my chest so I have requested a telephone conference instead to avoid risking incapacitating me for the next two weeks!
Yesterday morning instead of giving a talk as usual in the meeting at Yelvertoft I used the script of a four part drama entitled 'The Angel's Tearoom'. This involves discussions between angels of the four occasions in which they were involved in the Christmas story. It needs a little polishing but if anyone is interested in having a copy you can download it from this link. We interspersed this with hymns and carols chosen by the congregation.
In the afternoon we had the Christmas Carol Service at Gartree Prison. We were packed out. The SA band and songsters from Kettering led everything musical and my choir sang 'Come now with awe' to Finlandia. It went very well, as did the whole event.
I might have to give this week's Tuesday visit to prison a miss to save straining my lungs. I have learned from previous years that working and singing through heavy chesty colds is far from wise. It would just set me back for the other events coming up...
On Wednesday I am leading the carol service for the village Seniors Circle in the afternoon. Then on Thursday we have the Christmas Warmer at Yelvertoft. This is the main Christmas event for our church and contrasts and complements what goes on from the Parish Church. It is based around generous hospitality and is not a church service. We sing favourite carols as chosen by those attending. The message of Christmas is subtly interwoven with the carols.
Next Sunday 18th we have a special service in the morning at Yelvertoft that will incorporate the renewal of marriage vows by a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. I have designed a service that will echo much of their wedding, including their original hymns. The couple will process in, and they have some new rings to exchange as well as promises. Afterwards we are having a wedding meal in the church for congregation and members of their family. I think making their vows in front of their adult children and grandchildren will be very special. If the format is useful to anyone else please email or phone me.
During the next two weeks a number of key dates will be fixed in the diary creating a framework around which the research will be developed. Please pray for wisdom as the 'jigsaw' comes together.
Thank you again for your friendship and support in prayer.
Barry
No comments:
Post a Comment