Page 20 - Herald December 2023

20 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD
DECEMBER 2023
Countesthorpe
Methodist Church
Notes from Angie Skerritt
OCTOBER
Although the shops started their countdown to Christmas before Halloween we will be starting our countdown at the beginning of Advent.
We had just two events during October; our first being on the 14th with a Quiz Night with Jacket Potato Supper and fruit crumble. An excellent quiz was compiled by Michael and Emma.
ANNIVERSARY
we could hopefully develop ourselves. Our latest mission outing was to King’s Coffee House at Holy Trinity Church in Leicester. The Coffee House is run by volunteers with profits supporting the homeless and vulnerably housed, food bank, vulnerable adults, money advice, asylum seekers and refugees.
GIFT SERVICE
CURRY NIGHT
Plans for November include our annual Curry Night. Several curries are on offer plus rice and all the ‘trimmings’. All very tasty, but more importantly, another opportunity to enjoy a meal together in friendship and fellowship.
MID-WEEK SERVICE
Also once a month we have a short mid- week communion service on the first Wednesday at 11am to which all are welcome.
ADVENT
On Sunday 3rd December we will light the first of three Advent candles leading to the celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, when a fourth candle will be lit. The word Advent is derived from the Latin word meaning ‘coming’.
‘My idea of Christmas, whether old- fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?’ Bob Hope
The next day was our Chapel Anniversary - the day began with a breakfast of bacon butties before the morning service. Vegetarians were catered for, as with all of our meals. The start time of 8.45am on a Sunday morning was too early for some people. However, the butties went down well with the hardy folk who turned out on a cold but sunny frosty morning.
This year our Gift Service will be to support The Bridge Homelessness to Hope charity in Leicester. Like the King’s Coffee House the charity provides support and advocacy to anyone over the age of 18 who is experiencing homelessness. This includes rough sleepers, sofa surfing and people who are in temporary or unsuitable accommodation.
BIBLE STUDY
Our Bible Study group meets once a month in a member’s home. The topic of discussion at present is ‘How God Builds Character’. The group has started by discussing Joseph and how God built his character. Quite coincidentally the theme for our Christmas Tree Festival on 9th December is a Christmas character and as we know, Joseph was an important person in the Christmas story.
MISSIONS TEAM
We recently formed a Missions Team to visit various local places, where help is given to those less fortunate, with the purpose of collecting mission ideas which
Countesthorpe Village Hall Time to Celebrate......
getting together with your family and friends
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE CHURCHES
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
9th Dec Christmas Tree Festival
10th Dec Christingle Service at 10am 17th Dec No morning service but a
CAROL SERVICE at 3pm 25th Dec CHRISTMAS DAY Service
at 10am
Premier Window Cleaning
A professional and reliable service provided Fully trained and insured
Contact Mark
278 7727 or 07980 788 758
Find us on
Tel: 2779518 www.countesthorpeparishcouncil.co.uk Station Road, Countesthorpe LE8 5TB Email manager@countesthorpeparishcouncil.co.uk