Trinity Mount Barker

 It’s a Christmas of “firsts” at Trinity Mount Barker!

Last night we had a wonderful time at our first ever Carols by Glowstick.  It was a great opportunity to sing all our favourite Christmas carols and to share the good news of Christmas with hundreds of people from our community.

There are many, many people to thank for their part in making Carols happen – too many to name!  To everyone who helped with the Free Family Fun, the setup and packup, serving on stage and off stage, please let me say a very heart-felt thankyou.  Most of all, we should remind each other to give thanks to God to broke into our world in the person of Jesus Christ that very first Christmas, when the light truly did dawn and push back the darkness.

This past week we also held our first Hour of Prayer. This is an event we hope to hold regularly throughout next year, gathering for 60 minutes to pray for particular ministries, people or needs of which we’re aware.  A few of these gatherings each year will be devoted to praying for our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters around the world.  Not only is it good to pray, to bring our prayers and requests to God as we’re reminded in Scripture, but it’s hugely encouraging to pray with others.  We are deliberately keeping these prayer times to 60 minutes in order to make them accessible to as many people as possible.  Please keep an ear out for the next Hour of Prayer early next year.

The third first is our Christmas Eve service being held this Saturday night.  In addition to the 9 AM Family-Friendly Service being held on Christmas Day, we’ll be holding a Communion Service at 10:30 PM Christmas Eve.  Tea, coffee and mince pies will be served from 10 PM.  If joining with your brothers and sisters on Christmas Eve means better opportunities to care for family and friends on Christmas Day, please join us, then.

I hope and pray you have a blessed and light-filled Christmas!