Welcome to our service today. It is great to have you here and we would love to invite you to stay after the service and join us for tea and coffee.

Happiness is an emotion that can disappear as quickly as it rises to the surface but joy is a choice. We too have a choice – God has given us a joy that conquers all else. We can choose the attitude we live in – fear, bitterness, anger….or we can choose to pursue the joy of Christ. 

Joy is trusting when we want to doubt – we don’t trust in ourselves, our own abilities or what we have but we choose to trust in Jesus with our whole lives just as Mary did when she said “I am the Lord’s slave, may it be done to me according to your Word”. (Luke 1:38) Joy is receiving what we want to reject – we find joy in making room for people in need just as the innkeeper found a place for Mary and Joseph to stay to give birth. Imagine how he would have felt if he’d turned them away! And joy is celebrating when you want to fear. In almost every encounter the angels had with people their first words were “fear not”. 

The message is clear – God wants us to know that He’s going to take care of us no matter what happens. Immanuel – God with us! Always, forever…..a reminder of His promise to each one of us again this Christmas time. 

With love & blessings, Sandra