On the third Sunday in Advent, worship was led by the Rev. Nanette Lewis Head. The choir opened the service by singing the introit, 'Holy, Holy, Holy', accompanied by Mr. Alan Adams. Nanette welcomed everyone warmly.
The third candle on the Advent ring, 'the candle for joy', was lit by Eleanor, Martin and Lewis Sevenoaks.
The Christmas season is a time for giving, and so Sunday's service concentrated very much on Health Help International, the charitable organisation founded by Mr. Ron Prosser, after a visit to Monza in Zambia. St. Johns have formed a close link with HHI over the past years, making it the charity for their annual gift day giving. Sunday's service was called 'A surprise gift'. The gifts chosen on Sunday will continue to be part of the 'big surprise' that is continually evolving around the work in Monza and Zambia. Zambia has at last introduced free health care for all, so HHI are now able to put more resources into work for the disabled.
The children played a game of 'Pass the Parcel'. The last piece of paper ripped off revealed an HHI catalogue, from which the children would have the privilege of choosing the 'Surprise Gifts' to be sent to Monza. The little colourful bags given out by them last week were then collected and placed on the Christmas tree to be taken into Junior Church and the monies inside then counted.
Before they left, the children of Junior Church presented Nanette with a bouquet of flowers to say a big 'thank you' and to wish her well in her new home.
Mr. Graham Powell read from Isaiah, Chapter 9, verses 2-7; the New Testament reading was taken from the second book of the Corinthians, Chapter 9, verses 6-15.
"Giving gifts is at the centre of our Christmas celebrations, and in our sharing this morning we are able to hear God's word to us," said Nanette in her address. "In the Christian life, everything proceeds from God's generosity and everything returns to God in thanksgiving. This thanksgiving today is a result of generosity. Generosity, gratitude, these are not optional extras of Christian living, but are at the heart of it all."
Thank you, Nanette, may we all remember your words as we prepare for Christmas.
The children then returned having counted the money - £620 had been collected, a wonderful total.
Amongst the presents to be sent to Monza will be vital medicine, school uniforms (apparently children cannot attend school unless they are in the proper uniform), chickens, rice, even two toilets, a well, etc. The children had chosen wisely.
The final hymn, 'On Christmas night all Christians sing to hear the news the angels bring' was followed by the blessing and the sharing of the Grace.
Thanks go to everyone who shared in worship, and also to the congregation for their generosity in giving.
This week's service will be at 11 am and will be led by the Rev. Nanette Lewis-Head. Everyone is welcome.