GLANRHYD BAPTIST CHURCH
This Sunday, the service at 10.30 am will be conducted by Rev. David Cardwell, of Tenby.
Narberth Quakers
Worship on Sunday at 11 am, Bloomfield Centre, Redstone Road, Narberth, in the Lee Davies Day Centre. Everyone is welcome. For further information, call Rachel Matthews on (01834) 831481.
Bethesda Baptist Chapel
Services at Bethesda Baptist Chapel, Narberth, in the week beginning Sunday, December 14, are as follows: Sunday School starts at 10.15 am. Morning service takes place at 10.30 am and the evening service at 6 pm. Both services will be taken by Rev. Chris Rees, minister of Bethesda Chapel.
A Christmas carol service will be held at 7 pm in the Community Hall in Tavernspite on Thursday, December 18, when the speaker will be Rev. Chris Rees.
A Christian bookstall will be held in the Country Market in Narberth's Queen's Hall on Thursday between 9.30 am and 12 noon.
All are very welcome to these meetings.
Cricket Club
Winners of the National Lottery bonus ball draw organised by the ladies committee of Narberth Cricket Club this week were: Group A - Arwyn Bowen; Group B - Ronnie James.
There will be a meeting on Monday at the rugby club at 7.30 pm.
Grace Church
Traditional carol service with the Goodwick Town Brass Band this Sunday, December 14, at the Queen's Hall, Narberth, 10.30 am - 11.45 am. This is an annual favourite, it will feel like Christmas when you attend, seniors, middles and young, all welcome. The speaker will be Paul Dando, senior pastor of Grace.
Global carol service - Christmas around the world - Sunday, December 21, with speaker George Verwer. Do you have family or friends who are overseas this Christmas? Be sure to attend this service. George Verwer - Operational Mobilisation - founded an organisation that sends people into mission across the world; today, over 4,000 are involved. Also two ships taking books and practical aid. Queen's Hall, 10.30 am.
CHURCH services
St. Andrew's, Narberth: Sunday - 10 am Sung Eucharist. Wednesday - 10 am Holy Eucharist; 4.15 pm Club X. Thursday - 7.30 pm carol service.
Christian Community Church
This Sunday's service will be in Bloomfield House Seminar Room at 10 am. The speaker will be Linda Edwards from Narberth Baptist Fellowship. There will be a prayer meeting on Tuesday at 3.30 pm, while house groups meet on Thursday at 7.30 pm. A warm welcome to all.
Meat Draw
Winners of the Narberth RFC Supporters' Club meat draw this week are as follows: beef - Ollie Jenkins; lamb - Brian Toms; pork - John Owen.
The Supporters' Club raises money each week on behalf of the Rugby Club through the meat draw. Supporters interested in having a ticket at £1 per ticket with three chances to win a joint of meat for the weekend, should contact Shelley Morris on (01834) 861897 or any member of the supporters' committee. The draw takes place every Friday evening.
Christmas Carols Supper
The Narberth RFC Christmas Carols Supper will be held on Sunday, December 14, at 7.30 for 8 pm. Catering will be by Tegfan Caterers (Ian Eynon), while music accompanist will be Jill Williams.
This is a club event, providing a three-course Christmas meal, including mince pies and coffee. Tickets are priced at £13. Go along and join in the evening, which includes some traditional Christmas carols and some modern Christmas songs.
Initial enquiries to Peter Spacey on (01834) 861875. Tickets are now also available from Anne Lonsdale at the clubhouse.
NARBERTH BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP
At various times and points in our lives, we lose our sense of direction. Sometimes we get really lost, but then other times we just find ourselves on paths, crooked paths that may be leading us to someplace we really don't want to go.
John the Baptist was a Prophet, a messenger from God, warning the Israelite people that they had lost their sense of direction, and that they needed to change their thinking and their behaviour to get back to their roots. Their roots were in God and they had to prepare themselves for God to come to them. Many listened and repented... and were baptised by him in the river Jordan. Through their baptism, the followers and believers of John made a visible and public sign of death to their old way of life and the rebirth to a new way of life to a change of heart, and to a new relationship with God.
John was not out to win friends and influence people and the religious leaders who came to him for Baptism did not impress him. John recognized their arrogant self-righteous attitude and knew that they weren't interested in making changes in their lives because they were so confident that they were fine just the way they were. Humility is the quality needed for God to draw near to us. The kind of humility that says , "I have lost my way and I need your help O Lord."
NBF meets 6.30 - 7.40 pm each Sunday - do visit and stay on for our buffet supper. Phone 01834 861391 or just turn up!
NARBERTH U3A
The Narberth U3A will be holding its December general meeting tomorrow (Saturday) at 10.30 am in the lounge of Williams Court, Northfield Road, Narberth (with parking in the Bloomfield Centre).
If you are retired from full-time employment and now have time to take an interest in any of the following: art (appreciation and painting), music, playing bridge, history, poetry, reading group, Tai Chi, walking (both gentle and not so), natural history, gardening, Mah-jongg, or discussing various topical subjects, then go along to this general meeting and meet others with similar interests.
Telephone (01834) 862964 or (01834) 860152 for more information or go along tomorrow.
The mystery of Mah Jongg: The first meeting of the Mah Jongg group was a treat (writes David Dando).
Three tables were up and running and huge enthusiasm overcame bafflement as players attempted to grasp the rules.
Some members arrived clutching impressive looking Chinese boxes, while others appeared to have purchased poker chips.
Photocopied documents of procedures were waved about and curious piles of markers were erected upon tables. Kimi Atkins made an excellent job of running the group, demonstrating great patience while struggling to keep a straight face.
Unfortunately, I remained severely challenged and retired early fearing a nose bleed.
By the end of the session, progress was being made, albeit not obvious to the untrained eye. If laughter is any guide, then Mah Jongg is a great success and the next session on Tuesday, December 16, will be keenly awaited. It will probably follow a little homework.
Rugby Fixtures
Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth are home to Dunvant in Division One West of the SWALEC Welsh National League. Kick-off will be at 2.30 pm and there will be free ground admission for children under 16.
The Otters' Holt match sponsor is Dawnus Construction. The match ball sponsors are The Pwll Trap Boys, the Self Employed Mob and the Narberth Former Players Association.
Further details of sponsorship can be obtained from sponsorship officer Brian Murray on (01834) 891534 or club ssecretary Mark Rhys-Owens on (01834) 861928.
Hot drinks and light refreshments, including delicious home-made soup, burgers and hot dogs, will be available from the food hut in the car park and a full range of club clothing, personalised gifts and other merchandise can be obtained from the well-stocked club shop. Supporters are advised to park cars in parking areas outside the ground and to avoid obstructing exit from and entry to the Fire Station.
The popular 'Open the Box Draw' will take place after the post-match presentation ceremonies. The winner of the initial draw for £25 will have the opportunity to choose a key to open the box for the jackpot prize.
On the same day, Narberth Athletic are away to Mumbles in the Carmarthen Tyre Services Championship West Wales Premier League and the Youth team are home to Milford Haven.
Templeton and Reynalton United Reformed Churches
Members of both churches are invited to attend the Anniversary Service of Reynalton URC on Sunday. The service will commence at 6.30 pm.
Carvan Chapel
The service at Carvan Chapel, Tavernspite, this Sunday, at 2 pm, will be conducted by Mr. Gareth John. A warm welcome is extended to all.