Hope you are able to enjoy the Christmas and New Year weekends. It is now 2 years since we were watching the bushfires across Australia. That was such a distressing and costly experience for so many people. It was a time
that brought the best out of our nation. The time since has been disrupted with all of the restrictions to life that the COVID 19 pandemic has caused for us and for the whole world. Our Church has been very fortunate in compari-
son to other places. We give thanks to God for the past and seek His guidance and protection for the year ahead. Jess, Kay & I really appreciate your love and support here at Hampstead Gardens. We trust that 2022 will be a year of grace and mercy shown to all those we meet. Consider these verses as we relate with each other.
“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.” Romans 15:5-7, NLT.
Our theme this week is “O Holy Night” which is the Christmas Carol which was written in 1843. These are challenging words from verse 3 of this Carol that remind us of the mission we have as followers of Jesus.
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
May God bless you as you encourage and pray for those who still have not yet committed their life to Jesus.
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.” Matthew 25:31-33.