Advent Joy

A ‘Blue Peter’ moment from yesterday morning’s service which you are welcome to copy…

Everlasting Joy

The joy God gives lasts forever. The Christmas evergreens are a symbol of that, so here is a pine cone

Joy In Creation

God’s world is beautiful – the frost on the trees last week was stunning. The red poinsettias bring a splash of winter colour. This bow, created with satin ribbon, reminds us of the joy God gives us in creation

Joy In Worship

The Bible tells us to ‘make a joyful noise to the Lord’. The little jingle bell reminds us of the joy we share as we worship together

Joy In Knowing We Are Special To God

We sing “I’m special because God loves me” – so the tag has a name on it to remind us of the joy of belonging.

And we strung the four items together to make a little ornament to hang on the Christmas tree when we got home!

I have to report that the children performed their nativity play brilliantly in the service.

We could not find the scroll for the Roman soldier [discovered later hidden behind the curtains!] So instead of the “Emperor’s Decree”, he held up the sign from the Church Office, saying “Coffee morning and Car Wash”!

And Joseph’s face, as he declared he was going to have to marry Mary now she was pregnant, was an absolute picture.

One shepherd, one wise man absent through sickness. But lovely to have lots of parents and grandparents there. It all went off very well, and the congregation were encouraging as ever.

And the new carpet on the refurbished platform looked splendid

Bob showed two tear-jerking clips from Toy Story 3. He did at least warn people to have tissues at the ready!

[btw - the little bells came in a box of 72, last year, from Paperchase, but most craft shops/haberdashers stock them. The pine cones came from Carole’s drive back in the summer and have been in a box in the garage for months]