We hope that this newsletter finds you well. As we begin December, King's Church have a few things planned through this month, see below for more details. Happy reading!
It’s Christmas – Nearly! by Roger Bye It’s the beginning of December and we start our focus on the wonderful Christmas story of ‘good news that will cause great joy for all the people,’ as we meet throughout this month. These next Sundays we continue to meet online and look forward to some fun surprises and a clear telling of the Christmas story. I’ve had a sneak preview of one fun element and its great! People have already been working hard to produce some special times online and you can read more about these Christmas events in Paul’s recent email - Sunday’s in December. Let’s be praying and believing that God touches many peoples lives. In ‘normal times’ we would be inviting our friends and neighbours to these events, whether concerts of carol services. We can still do this! They can be part of things in the comfort of their own homes. Let’s be active in reaching out by passing on details of our meetings and let’s be praying that the good news we will be sharing will bring hope and joy into many people’s hearts.
Word Online by Chris R
There is new Bible teaching online….. yes, I know. I can hear you saying, ‘There’s always a new Bible teaching series on the internet. Why is there a need for another one?’
May I correct this thinking? A great Bible teacher named Martin Charlesworth, based in Shrewsbury has put together this new series studying the life of Jesus. You may of heard Martin’s name mentioned in connection with Jubilee Plus or you may have heard Martin teach at Devoted. Now you can hear him online in your own home.
Word Online is an outstanding teaching programme and it’s free. Martin is teaching the Life of Christ through the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
If you are looking for a manageable teaching programme, to go at your own pace, and to learn more about Jesus, I can wholeheartedly recommend this material. Each session is under 30 minutes.
I guarantee if you start with the first session, which is Luke’s introduction to Jesus, you will become so absorbed and will want to get to the second session as soon as possible.
Give it a listen. Here is the link. https://wordonline.org
Happy listening!
Some of the church small groups are meeting to watch these videos together over Zoom, followed by discussion and prayer. If you would like to join one of these group or find out more, please get in touch with at: admin@kingscc.org
What's happening throughout December?
Sunday Services
The first three Sundays of December (6th, 13th and 20th) will be very much family orientated. Each Sunday will have interviews with eye witnesses to the Christmas story, a ‘Christmas Theology’ interview with other eye witnesses, NISCU puppet carols and a vox pop from around the church. The talks on the 6th and 13th will be Jesus is the light of the world and Jesus is the Hope of the world. The talk on the 20th will be very evangelistic, and we’re hoping for a return of Bear Ovenhob.
There will be NO service on the 27th. We want to give our hard working production team some time off over Christmas. They’ve done a fantastic job since the first lock down in March, and each week they put hours of work into producing our Sunday mornings. They have become real heroes for us, and we really want to say thank you to them.
Christmas Song
Our musicians have been hard at work producing a Christmas song across Zoom, so keep your eyes open for this - Chris Sutcliffe has put a lot of work into this, and we really appreciate it.
Zoom Family Quiz - 12th December
In addition to all this, we’re going to host a zoom family quiz (all age) on Saturday 12th December at 6pm for around an hour (with prizes). All are welcome, and I’ll send out the Zoom invite in the week before the 12th. Please invite your friends - we’d love to see as many people as possible taking part. Ann Morgan is hosting the event, and it’ll be great fun for all the family!
Mobilise Christmas Family Fun Night
On Monday 14th December at 7pm on Zoom, Mobilise wiill have their Christmas Fun Night for all the family. If you have a young person in school years 6-9 and would like to join in, please email: joelle@kingscc.org
Move Christmas Zoom
Move youth group are planning to have a Christmas Zoom with games and quizzes. If you have a young person in school years 10+ who would like to join in, please contact Zoe at zoe@kingscc.org for more details.
Christmas Eve Pastoral Encouragement
Roger will be releasing a pastoral encouragement on the 24th December, so you can watch him either just before or after the Queen on Christmas day if you want to!
New Year Prayer Meeting
Finally, on January 3rd, we’re going to be starting the year with a zoom prayer meeting, so there will be no Youtube that morning. Please come and join us to pray about the various things we’re involved with, and how we move forward in 2021.
Suggested Book list
Over the last few weeks, there have been books recommended in the church zoom services. Here is a list of the suggested books, they are all available from Cornerstone Christian Bookshop in Whitehaven, 5 Church Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7AY, tel: 01946 695460, email: cornerstonebookshop@hotmail.com
Or we do have some of these books in the church library at the office, email Joelle at joelle@kingscc.org to ask about borrowing one.
Acts for Everyone - Tom Wright
A Call to Act - Natalie Williams and Martin Charleworth
Paul the Spirit and the People of God - Gordon Fee
The Way of Blessing - Roy Godwin
Chasing the Dragon - Jackie Pullinger
The Spirit Filled Church - Terry Virgo
Developing a Prophetic Culture - Phil Wilthew
Sounds from Heaven - Colin Peckham
Why I’m still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit - Jack Deere
Everyday Supernatural - Mike Pilavachi
Straight to the Heart of Acts - Phil Moore
Sustainable Power – Simon Holley
Socia Media Highlights
Martin Charlesworth - Jubilee+ keynote talk by Roger Bye Last month I joined the Jubilee+ conference online. It was a powerful and challenging time in many ways. A clear highlight was listening to Martin Charlesworth speak on the challenge for the church in these times we live. It was outstanding! It’s now freely available at: Latest Content | Jubilee+ Plus (jubilee-plus.org) – please do watch it! Lou Fellingham Live During this season where live events are not possible due Covid-19, Lou has been putting on a number of different on-line events and she would love for you to join them! Worship Wednesdays - Lou will be leading live worship online each Wednesday from 8:30-9am Coffee Mornings with Lou - with a time of worship, testimony and encouragement from the Bible, these sessions happen every 3 weeks or so, from 9.30-11am Live & Interactive - This is a live-streamed, interactive concert with Lou and Nathan where they will perform a number of songs, to which you can listen and join along with. This is a paid event with limited tickets and exclusive content. For info about all of these events, please visit: https://www.loufellingham.com/tickets
Terry Virgo Bites Terry has been releasing 4-5minute talks throughout lockdown looking at many different themes. These are well worth a listen and can be found on his YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsU3docC-ewux3tH2oE3iw