Getting the right message for Rehoboth for 2023 – as we enter a New Year, and this year in particular, our Pastor, Calix has felt led of the Lord to a ‘motto’ text for us as a Church Family and Fellowship at Rehoboth. May we pray the Holy Spirit’s direction as he prepares, and presents, the Lord’s Word over the coming year. May God speak to us each and may our hearts respond gladly and readily to His Word.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Prayer matters this month
A number of our folk and families have been quite unwell over the Christmas and holiday period with a number still those still needing prayer at time of writing.
Be prayerful for our younger folk in the church – for Bible Class, Sunday School and Creche – and for Matt England, Hazel Smith and all those who assist in leading these groups. Pray for understanding in the hearts of the hearers, that they may respond to the truth of God’s Word taught and shared with them.
Baptismal classes - pray for those attending. May we have the joy of seeing the baptistry open soon.
Church members – please note the Annual Church members’ meeting on Weds 25th January.
Wally Michell - It was with much sadness that we received the news on Friday 30th Dec. that our dear brother had passed away in Worthing Hospital, where he had been since suffering a fall on Christmas day. He was 99, exactly 5 months short of his centenary. More will be said of his life with its many interests, but his simple faith and trust in Jesus shone through! He will be greatly missed.
We have the benefit and blessing of being members of Association of Grace Baptist Churches (SE)
May we remember particularly some churches in our SW District in prayer – this month:
Ealing Road Baptist Church, Brentford – Pastor Roger Lindie
Ebenezer Reformed Baptist Church, Brighton – Pastor Tony Bickley
Grace Church, Brighton – Leader David Skull
Just a reminder - Any contributions for the Brighton & Hove City Mission Foodbank would be gratefully received. Current needs are tins of Meat, Fish, Vegetables, Tomatoes & Passata, Soup, Fruit, & Desserts; also Pasta & curry sauces, Noodles & Rice, Instant Coffee and (as they say) Something to make our clients smile. Please leave any contributions in the box or in a bag at the foot of the stairs at the front of the church. Thank you.
Preaching out this month:
1st David Ansell – Hope chapel am, Appleyards pm
8th Steve Piggott – Kirdford am
15th DA – Knaphill am; SP – Copthorne am 22nd D A – Copthorne am;
29th DA – Hailsham am & pm; SP – Smallfield am
Praying & caring for the Community - Clarence Road, St John Close, Moons Lane
CHRISTMAS BOOK TABLE David Ansell reporting
Sat December 18th I was able to help Appleyards church with their bookstall in the Car-fax. We were right next to a huge blow up father Christmas belonging to the rotary club that played Christmas music!. This was to our advantage as it drew people to us!.
Many tracts and other items were given out. Day One calendars and my tin of chocolates were popular. It was good to point passers by to the heavenly Father and the good news
UPDATE ON NEW LIFE CHURCH, GIBRALTAR from Kevin Borrett
I wanted to share an accommodation update with you regarding New Life Church Gibral-tar. Our last service in the St Andrews Church building was held on 10th December 2022 and the fellowship has moved and for Sundays from 17th December 2022 has rented premises used as a children’s nursery during the week for its Sunday services. This room holds about 40 people and we can serve refreshments in the foyer area. A nearby storeroom hold chairs and other equipment so it’s a 45 minute set up routine each week, reminding us the church is the people, not the building!
REHOBOTH CHRISTINGLE TIME 2022 remembered by Hazel Smith
At 4pm on 4th December we welcomed Little Verse families old and new, alongside church families into the church for our annual Christingle service. We sang some Christmas songs, shared the Christmas story and then the crafts began! The children were all invited to make a Christingle, and reminded of what it means: The orange represents the world, we wrap a red ribbon around it, symbolising the love and blood of Christ. The sweets and dried fruit represent all of God’s creations and the lit candle represents Jesus’s light in the world, bringing hope to people living in darkness. Sweet treats were provided for one and all, and we ended the session with the lights off, the candles lit and singing Silent Night. It’s always amazing how carefully the children hold those oranges with the flame, even the very young ones.
It’s become an annual event for us, and we find that families where children have long left Little Verse still love to come along and join in with this important reminder of the light which came in to the world at Christmas.
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