On Friday, at the Christmas celebration, a good number of people came to enjoy a wonderful evening of candle-lit, Christmas-centred entertainment.
Carols were sung throughout the evening, and part of the Manorbier Community Choir sang a lovely selection of Christmas songs.
The children, joined by some adults, performed a play about 'The Perfect Tree', which included Debbie's solo about Jesus giving His life on the cross.
Father Christmas made an appearance, with gifts for the children, and Mark read a humorous poem about all the members of the church, written by Linda.
After a short word by Pastor Jonathan, Jackie played a DVD of the song 'Emmanuel' from her CD, and Linda sang a Christmas song she wrote called 'Joy Among The Angels'. There was festive food and drink afterwards; it was a very enjoyable evening.
On Sunday, the Christmas play was repeated, and carols were sung as requested by the congregation. Janine asked Jackie to sing an old favourite of hers about the God of miracles, followed by a solo from Margaret called 'Mary's Child'.
Jonathan spoke on John 1, about how Jesus, God's Son, was always there with God. The meaning of Christmas is that Jesus, who created the universe as part of a 3-in-1 God, came in flesh and blood to shine the light of God into our darkness of sin. 'In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.' (John 1v4).
Jesus can restore our relationship to God and give us spiritual, eternal life. 'To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God' (John 1v12).
Without God in our lives, our spirits are dead, and we are living in darkness, but when we let Jesus into our lives He fills us with God's radiant light. He gives us strength to get through the valleys, and joy both when we're on the mountain-tops and even in sorrowful times.
Our physical lives are a gift from God too - they are frail, and it's important to get God in our lives at the right time, as only God can grant us life, both physical and spiritual.
There will be no service this Sunday (December 28) as some are away, but the following week there will be a dedication service for the people to re-dedicate themselves to God at the start of the New Year.