Bethesda Church, Saundersfoot

Sunday, December, 18, 10.30am – Morning Service. Preacher, Rev’d Martin Williams; 3.30pm - Afternoon Service. Preacher, Rev’d Martin Williams.

Saturday, December 24 (Christmas Eve), 5pm – Christmas Carol Service at New Hedges Village Hall. Preacher, Rev’d Martin Williams.

For further information, call: 01834 812869 or 01834 814832

Visit: www.bethesdatenbyroad.vpweb.co.uk

Find the church on Facebook: Bethesda Church, Saundersfoot.

St Issells Church, Saundersfoot

The sheep and angels have got out and St Issells Church needs your help to find them! If you find them in one of the shops in and around Saundersfoot please return them to the church at the Crib Service on Christmas Eve at 3pm.

SERVICES:

Saturday, December 17, 6pm – Nine Lessons and Carols followed by mulled wine and mince pies

Sunday, December 18, 8am – Said Holy Eucharist; 10.30am – Holy Eucharist

CHRISTMAS SERVICES:

Christmas Eve, 3pm - Family Crib Service; 9pm - First Communion of Christmas

EVENTS:

Wednesday, December 21, 5pm to 6.30pm

Come and join the St Issells crowd at the Harbwr Bar, Saundersfoot for Carol Singing led by St Issells Church choir. £5 per ticket to include mulled wine and mince pies. Proceeds to church funds.

All are welcome.

Saundersfoot Methodist Church

Jane Hobbs conducted the service at Saundersfoot Methodist Church last Sunday, Rev’d Lorette Hinson led the ceremony for Holy Communion. A passage of scripture was read by Muir Bird.

Members and friends are asked to meet at 10.30am next Sunday for coffee and mince pies before the carol service which will be taken by Rev’d Hugh-John Wilson. A warm welcome is extended to all.

Hello It’s Christmas Carols!

On Sunday, December 18 at 10.30am the Regency Hall Saundersfoot is the venue for “Hello It’s Christmas Carols”, with the Goodwick Brass Band, candles, mince pies and mulled wine. “Please come and join us for this popular, traditional Christmas event,” urge the organisers. All ages welcome.

Regency Rompers will meet for the last get together of 2022 on December 19 at 9.30am in Regency Hall. It will be a time of Christmas fun for the little ones and a place of mutual encouragement, support and time out for parents, grandparents and carers. Regency Rompers will restart on Monday, January 9, 2023.

Hello Sunday in Regency Hall will restart in the New Years on Sunday, January 8, 2023; a fresh expression of church with breakfast from 10am, community, music, friendship and support. Bring your friends… and the kids…

For more information email; [email protected] .

Hebron Baptist Church

There are many people wondering what sort of Christmas they will have. How will they travel? Will they be able to be with loved ones? Can they afford to celebrate Christmas? Will they still have a job or a home at Christmas?

Mary and Joseph were looking forward to life together, but first there was the unexpected pregnancy, God’s promised Son. Then the enforced journey to Bethlehem at the most inconvenient time. How long would they be away? What would they need to take? How would they travel? How were they going to take care of a new-born baby? Were there any relatives they could stay with?

When we stop to think about the problems Mary and Joseph faced, we will realise any changes to our plans won’t be so crucial. We won’t have to walk as far as Cardiff with just a few possessions, wondering where we will stay, or if we will find work.

Many people around the world will spend Christmas differently this year. People in Ukraine have been separated from loved ones, their homes and communities have been devastated. Many have no electricity, no light. Other countries have problems after natural disasters, accidents, and lack of resources. Governments are struggling to address many problems.

Let us share what we can to help others and be willing to be the answer to their prayers (Colossians 3:12,17). Visit www.hebronbaptistsaundersfoot.org or call 01834 811697 for enquiries.

Christmas Carol Service at Sardis Chapel, Kilgetty

A Christmas service of favourite carols and scripture readings will be held on Sunday morning at 10.30am. At the close of the service light refreshments will be served.

A warm Christian welcome is to everyone.

Benefice with St Andrew’s Church, Narberth

SERVICES:

Sunday, December 18:

9am – Holy Eucharist in St John’s Church, Templeton;

11.30am – Holy Eucharist with Carols in Robeston Wathen Church;

6pm – URC Carol Service in St John’s Church, Templeton.

6pm – Nine Lessons and Carols in St. Andrew’s Church , Narberth followed by mulled wine or juice and mince pies.

Monday, December 19:

6pm – Reflective Advent Service: A service using silence, music and evening prayer at Seamus’ House, followed by mulled wine and festive food

Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24:

2pm – Children’s Carol Service in St Womar’s Church, Minwear;

6pm – First Eucharist of Christmas in St. John’s Church, Templeton;

9pm – First Eucharist of Christmas in St. Andrew’s Church, Narberth.

Christmas Day Sunday, December 25:

9.30am – Holy Eucharist in St Andrew’s Church, Narberth.

Events:

Thursday, December 15, 1.30pm – The final discussion of ‘Icon’: The Advent ‘ Christianity through Art’ will feature the second part of Patrick Shanley’s film ‘Doubt’ and will take place at the home of the Rev’d Seamus Hargrave. All are welcome to attend.

‘Benefice of Narberth’ facebook page has been revitalised by Reverend Seamus and gives information on events and services in the Churches.

Contacts: Rev’d Martin Cox (Rector and Local ministry Area Dean), Tel: 01834 861192, [email protected] ;

Rev’d Seamus Hargrave, 01834 860611, [email protected] .

Bethesda Chapel Narberth What’s On

Sunday, December 18, 10.45am to 11.45am – Sunday Morning Service in the Sanctuary with full organ and rose window, followed by refreshments in the Schoolroom; 10.30am to 11.45am – Sunday School in the Upper Room; 10.20am to 10.40am – Men’s time of prayer in the Study; 5.30pm to 6.30pm – Evening Service in the Sanctuary.

Tuesday 1.30pm to 4pm – Listening Post, share and listen, make new friends, all welcome in the Schoolroom; 6.15pm to 7pm – Fellowship meal in the Schoolroom; 7pm to 8pm Prayer Meeting in the Schoolroom, a popular meeting, a chance to commune.

Thursday, 10.30 to 11.30am – Seniors Coffee Morning, a real social event welcomes you in the Schoolroom.

“Behold a virgin shall….bear a son and they shall call His name Immanuel which is translated God with us.” Matthew 1.23

New Life Church

Message by Garry Emlyn: Naaman’s high position allowed him to live within the city with leprosy. He traveled over 450 miles, probably in uniform, riding a chariot. He had high expectations of being treated as his station demanded, but Elisha sent a servant boy with a message: “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” (2 Kings 5:10) Naaman was furious!

God gave specific instructions, Naaman was proud!

Some people travel miles to see people with apparent cures. There’s a ‘healing well’ where people go and dip rags in water and hang them on a tree, they are desperate.

Many people fall ill but pride stops some of them going to God. When pride comes, then follows a fall. God doesn’t do things how we expect. God is the Potter, we are the clay.

Naaman’s servants convinced him to follow God’s instructions. He had to become humble to get healing. We need to be humble before God too.

We might think: “Why didn’t he just do it?!” Do we just do what God says?

Naaman wanted to give gifts, Elisha refused as it was God who healed. Compare this to modern-day ‘prophets’; more like profits, money orientated!

The cure was a simple act of faith. You have to do what is right, even if you don’t feel like it! You either stay in pride or humble yourself and be set free.

Put pride aside and step out in humility and turn to God today!

New Life Church meets at Amroth Parish Hall, Summerhill, Carol Service at 6pm, December 18. Contact: 07765935475 Visit: newlifechurchpembs.com or the Facebook page.

Carew Wesley Chapel

The service for the fourth week in Advent, will be the Carol Service. This will commence at 3pm and be lead by Rev’d Lorette Hinson.

This week the lectionary is from the Book of Isaiah 7: 10-16; Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19; the Letter to the Romans 1: 1-7; and the Gospel of Matthew 1: 18-25.

The chapel is continuing with the ‘Warm Hub’ in the Youth Club Hall on Monday, December 19 and will be open to all from 1pm to 4pm. If you feel the need for a warm place to go or would enjoy a time of fellowship with others, then come along and have a cup of tea. All are very welcome to enjoy this space. Please note that the ‘Warm Hub’ will not be open during Christmas, but will reopen on Monday, January 2, 2023.

Pray that Jesus comes to those in distress to heal and restore them to new life. May those who are ill also know the power of God to heal and restore them to new life. May those who have lost loved ones find solace in the Lord’s name. Pray too for anyone finding themselves isolated and lonely to know the presence of the living God. May everyone have all they need and be at peace in mind, body and spirit.

The minister, Rev’d Lorette Hinson, may be contacted on Tel: 01834 218614. To book the Youth Club Hall please contact Paul Lister on Tel: 01646 672258.

Molleston Baptist Chapel

The Christmas Carol Service Sunday last, with all members taking part, was conducted by the Rev’d Chris Rees of Narberth with Mrs Elizabeth Vaughan as organist.

The service this Sunday December 18 is at 10.45am and will be conducted by the Rev’d Jenny Gough of Bethlehem, Spittal. A warm welcome is extended to everyone.

Holyrood & St Teilo’s Catholic Church, Tenby

The third Sunday of Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday from the first word of the entrance antiphon in Latin, Gaudete meaning “Rejoice!” The penitential purple of Advent is softened to a rose colour. It was intended to be a relaxing break reminding us of the celebrations soon to come.

A penitential mood is an appropriate way to prepare ourselves to welcome the coming of the Lord but at the same time it is difficult not to feel some excitement as we anticipate the celebration of Jesus` coming among us. So the liturgy is full of joy; the opening prayer asks that we, who look forward to the birthday of Christ, experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving.

In the first reading Isaiah 35:1-10, the prophet goes overboard with excitement and enthusiasm: “Let the wilderness and the dry lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy,” because “They shall see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God.” “Look! your God is coming… He is coming to save you!” Our salvation is coming at last.

Salvation means healing, wholeness and holiness, not only to the physical but also on the emotional, social and spiritual levels, as we gradually become more closely united to him; until harmony and well-being flows through our whole self.

Masses from St Teilo’s, including the Christmas Masses, and Parish events, can be viewed on-line from the parish website www.stteilostenby.co.uk. and in the Parish Newsletter. Tel: 01834 84269.

St Johns Church, tenby

On the third Sunday of Advent the worship of lessons and Carols at St Johns was led by Mrs Kate Wolsey, Minister in training for the United Reformed Church of Wales. The third Advent Candle was lit with prayers and readings stating that God reigns over everything and let us take time to appreciate and care for all that is in the nature that surrounds and sustains us.

Many church members took part in the service, with well-known Christmas carols and Bible passages and thought-provoking drama that tell the story of that first Christmas when the baby Jesus, God’s own son was born to an ordinary Jewish family. But extraordinary events occurred with poor shepherds and wealthy wise men coming to worship Him. Reminding us that in the hustle and bustle of getting ready for our own celebrations with family and friends the real reason for the season is the amazing gift from God of his only Son who was to live on earth with us and then die to take upon Himself our sins. For despite God’s love for each one of us - and His advice through the messages of the prophets and teachings of Christ - we, the people of the world, tend to blame God for the mess that we, the humans, have made for ourselves with greed, envy, selfishness, and hatred.

The Christmas Tree festival is now up in St Johns Church and is open daily 10am to 4pm( except Sunday.) This Sunday 18th the worship will be the Nativity story. Wednesday the coffee morning with fresh Welsh cakes on sale. And on Christmas Eve at 4pm the Christingle service, on Christmas Day morning worship includes Communion and will be at 10am. Everyone is always welcome at St Johns. St Johns wishes everyone a very happy and blessed time this Christmas.

The Old Chapel, Tenby

Well, here we are with Christmas in sight and New Year just around the corner (writes Ian Rees). We have been singing a modern carol recently. It mentions the stable in which Jesus Christ was laid, as we remember when we sing Christian songs over Christmas. It reads like this:

‘Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you’ve delivered will soon deliver you. Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? And when you kiss your little baby you kiss the face of God’. The song goes on to say about this Christ, The blind will see the deaf will hear and the dead will live again the lame will leap the dumb will speak. Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? This sleeping child you’re holding is the Great I AM.’

One of the important names given to Jesus was ‘Emmanuel, God with us’. When the right time had come God sent us His Son, born of a woman to redeem us. That is why Christmas is so important to us Christians - a time to remember a Child who was born and a Son who was given. May God bless you this Christmas time.

Deer Park Baptist Church, Tenby

Sunday service begins at 10.45 am. The service is held in the church hall at the rear of the building during winter months. All are welcome. “Join us for coffee and chat after the service.”

Parking via Harding Street. Mobility access and facilities.