On the first Sunday morning in the New Year, Mr. Anthony Standing was the speaker and gave a warm welcome to all. Mr. David Kaye read the lesson from John 3 v 1-21 and Miss Helen Standing was the pianist.

Mrs. Standing told the illustrated children's story 'Messengers to the Rescue!' Following the Wisemen's mistake in seeking the Christ child at the palace in Jerusalem, the Wisemen and Joseph received warnings about King Herod in dreams.

In Junior church their were games and activities related to the story.

Mr. Standing told the congregation that the first mention of a new year comes very early in the Bible. Noah built the ark, gathered up his family and all the animals and were sheltered from the rain for 40 days and nights. They waited for the floodwater to go down. Then we read in Genesis 8:13 that on the first day of the first month Noah looked out of the ark and saw that the ground was dry.

It was the first day of the year, New Year's Day, and what a joyful one for Noah and his family. They were able to make a new start with new opportunities to please God. Noah got off to a good start by giving a thank offering to God.

It pleased the Lord and he said "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood."

It's a sad fact, however, that it wasn't long before mankind slipped back into the old sinful ways and couldn't live up to the standards God had set.

Mr. Standing said it made him think of our New Year Resolutions. How hard it is even to keep the promises we make to ourselves!

This year is a very special one for Hebron which is celebrating its 150th anniversary and will be marking the occasion with a special weekend in July.

We want it to be a New Opportunity to share the Good News and celebrate with the people of Saundersfoot. This is a special year of opportunity to make the Lord's work through Hebron a talking point amongst our friends and neighbours.

Readers are warmly invited to join us on Sunday at 11 am when the speaker will be Mr. Carl Smith. The service will be followed by communion.

Each week in Junior church there is an activity for children during the sermon.

On Tuesday, Crusaders meet at 6-7.30 pm for a New Year Party. On Wednesday, Oasis lunch is 12.30 pm in the hall and on Wednesday evenings for the next six weeks the Bible study and prayer group will meet in various homes.

If you would like to come along to any of our activities or need further information, please call 811697.