From P. J.: Scripture helps us defend our faith. The apostle Peter instructs believers to be ready with an answer for our hope and faith in Jesus. Scripture also helps form our character. Paul makes it clear that the Word of God is alive, active, and pierces our souls. And since God’s Word is so powerful, we should commit some passages to heart so God can work in and through us
December 8 – 1 Corinthians 10:13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.
This week’s Kingswood Foodbank needs are tinned tomatoes, meat & potatoes and chocolate bars. And any Christmas items. Thank you very much.
The BB have prepared KMC’s Christmas Card for everyone to sign and make a donation to Crisis, the Homeless Charity. The card will be in the Church on Sunday 7th, 14th and 21st December.
There is no service here on Christmas Day. Potterswood have a service at 10am.
We now have a refuse (Green) bin again, at the back of the Church.
On 10th December, people around the world will mark Human Rights Day. Human rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) include the rights to life, free elections, a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom from torture and freedom from discrimination.
The Methodist Church in Britain has launched its national Advent and Christmas campaign with its first-ever outdoor advertising promotion. Throughout the first two weeks of December, posters carrying the theme 'Gifted' and the strapline 'You are a gift. Made with love', will appear on bus stops, roadside displays and other high-footfall locations. The campaign encourages passers-by to reflect on the ways they bring light to others at this time of year – whether through generosity, service hospitality or simple presence.
After Jesus was born and his teachings began to spread to many parts of the world, his followers wanted to encourage everyone to become Christian. But they didn't really approve of all of this noisy winter partying. They wanted everyone to celebrate the Christian message properly by singing about the birth of Jesus, so they put new Christian words to the old favourite songs. Lucie explains: "The word 'carol' probably comes from the old French word 'carole', which - from around the mid-1100s - meant a popular circle dance accompanied by singing." By the late Middle Ages, carols had become more associated with Christmas and the nativity.
Lectionary 7th to 13th December. Isaiah 11.1-10; Psalm 72.1-7,18-19; Romans 15.4-13; Matthew 3.1-12. Come, Jesus, show us the way. In this well-known passage, Isaiah prophesies about a descendant of David on whom God’s spirit will rest. This ruler will judge righteously and will usher in a time of peace and harmony in which all creatures will live together without destroying one another, conveyed in memorable imagery. It is a hopeful vision of a time of divine justice and peace. Living in harmony can be challenging, yet there are voices that can tell us how if we listen. Sometimes we just don’t want to; the voices may be young, the changes required can be hard. But what if we did listen: what changes might happen as a result.
Carols in Kingswood Park with songs and carols from Beacon Rise Primary School Choir, St George’s Choir and the Bristol Windrush Reggae Choir. The event takes place on the bandstand from 4.30pm on Sunday 7th December. Please wrap up warm and bring a torch! If the weather is forecast to be very cold, wet or windy then the concert will be held in Holy Trinity Church.
Or here is Christmas Carols by Candlelight at the New Room, 6 to 7 pm, on Tuesday 9th December. Admission £6 on the door or £5 in advance.
Also at the New Room, your last chance to see the exhibition “Leadership on a Journey”. This celebrates the rich diversity within the Methodist Church, shedding light on stories that are often overlooked and highlighting an inclusive vision of leadership. On loan from Wesley’s Chapel and the Museum of Methodism in London, the display explores the history of diversity in the Methodist Church, including narratives of migration to Britain and a focus on the varied and vibrant nature of Methodist leadership in Britain today. The exhibition ends on 24th December.
As part of its Christmas offering, the New Room is also hosting a Cards for Good Causes pop-up shop open Monday to Saturday until 17 December from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Visitors can browse a wide selection of Christmas cards, gift tags and wrapping paper, with proceeds supporting a variety of UK charities. The initiative aligns with the chapel’s long-standing commitment to social good and community service.
The purpose of Kingswood Methodist Church is to respond to God's Love in Christ and to live out that love in God's world.