December Update
Dear friends,
This Sunday will mark the beginning of advent when we both look forward to the return of Jesus in glory and look back to His first coming as a baby born in Bethlehem. We know that this is no ordinary birth, for the lead up to Jesus being born is marked by angelic announcements and yet more angels in a spontaneous heavenly choir of angels rejoicing in wonder.
At PMCH this Christmas season our focus will be on angels, their role in the Christmas story and the opportunity we have to be heaven-sent messengers of comfort, joy and hope to those around us. As a church we will be engaged in some activities to together herald the birth of Christ and I really hope you will join with us in sharing the hope of Christ (details below) but that doesn't let any of us of the hook personally. There are people we work with, live with, socialise with and care for, who need to know the peace and joy that Jesus brings. We are sent therefore as God's messengers (the Greek word for angel literally means 'messenger') to point people where to find hope - it is in the child of Bethlehem who is the Lord of all glory.
I hope then that as you write Christmas cards, catch up with loved ones, or whatever it is that you will be involved in, that you will take seriously your responsibility to be God's messengers pointing to Jesus in what you do but also what you say.
On behalf of all the staff at PMCH, I wish you a very happy Christmas,
Gareth
We have plenty planned for the coming month, but apart from the Lord we can do nothing. Please do come and gather as a church family at our monthly prayer meeting is on Wednesday 6th December at 7:30pm. Jane & Dave Martin will be leading us in our prayers.
Some of us will be meeting to enjoy a curry on Thursday December 7th at the Mannamead pub on Mutley Plain. For a donation of £12 you can enjoy a curry, a drink and the small amount of change is given to the FAST project who we support in Romania.
This is one of our main opportunities to reach out to hundreds of people across different generations and backgrounds this Christmas time. This is a whole church outreach activity and so we are in need to people to come and help, pray for the event and to invite people along.
As a way of marking our 'one church two sites' strategy and a simple way of outreach to others, we will be walking from our Foodbank Hub in Stonehouse back to PMCH stopping at points in the City Centre to sing carols and give away invitations to our Carol Service. Our final stop will be in Drake Circus where we have been invited to sing in Fatface and entertain their customers for a short while. Please do gather at 5pm (4:30pm for refreshments) at the Foodbank Hub and walk with us, ending with coffee and mince pies in the Discovery Cafe
Our Christmas Carol Service is on Sunday 17th December at 7pm. It will feature Christmas Bible readings, familiar carols, a lovely testimony and an inspiring message from Pastor Jonny. This is a really simple and accessible service to invite people to this Christmas time, so why not offer an invite to a friend, neighbour, colleague or family member?
On Christmas Eve there is no morning worship, but there is an opportunity to gather at 7pm for a reflective service of Holy Communion.
On Christmas Morning there is an all age celebration service at 11am. Both Christmas Eve and Christmas day services are led by Gareth and all are welcome.
For lots of reasons we are varying our usual schedule of services in December. Please see below for when we meet for worship and other events.
Morning Worship | 11am
Join us for the first day of Advent led by Gareth Higgs
PMCH | Online
Evening Service | 7pm
Evening Service led by Gareth Higgs
PMCH
Sunday 10 December
Messy Christmas | 3-4:45pm
An afternoon of family fun!
Nativity, songs, crafts, activities and refreshments
PMCH
Evening Service | 7pm
Evening Service led by Judi Vilkauskas
PMCH
Thursday 14 December
Walking Carol Service | 5pm
Meeting at the Foodbank Hub we will walk and sing
carols, pausing at different locations on the way,
finishing at PMCH for mince pies and refreshments
Plymouth Foodbank Hub | PMCH
Sunday 17 December
Morning Worship | 11am
Holy Communion led by Dave Martin
PMCH | Online
Carol Service | 7pm
A traditional evening of carols and readings
PMCH
Sunday 24 December
No Morning Service
Christmas Eve Service | 7pm
A reflective service including Holy Communion led by Gareth Higgs
PMCH
Monday 25 December
Christmas Day Service | 11am
A family friendly and lively celebration of the birth of Jesus!
PMCH | Online
No Evening Service
Sunday 31 December
Morning Worship | 11am
New Year’s Eve Service led by Gareth Higgs
PMCH | Online
No Evening Service
We are offering a Hot Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day to anyone who is alone, or in need. Please contact the church office before 18th December if you would like to book a place.
Christmas Produce from Bethlehem
Over the next few weeks there will be the opportunity to support Christians in the Holy Land by purchasing Christmas themed goods that are currently on the way from Bethlehem. Look out for Pastor Jonny setting up pop-up stalls on different occasions.
Plymouth Foodbank Hub
The Plymouth Foodbank are grateful for your support and prayers over the coming year. As we approach our busiest time please consider donating to us so that we can support people in acute need. We are particularly seeking:
Tinned Ham / Salmon
Pickles / Stuffing / Gravy
Selection Boxes
Chocolates / Chocolate Coins / Mints
Tins of Sweets
Jellies / Trifle Mixes
Christmas Cake / Christmas Pudding
Mince Pies
Nuts / Crisps
Crackers for Cheese / Boxes of Biscuits
Christmas Crackers
How to belong - exploring church membership - Sunday 10th December 11am
We believe making a commitment to a local church community is an important aspect of our discipleship and we have plenty of people who are new to our church and we want to invite to consider whether committing to the church in membership is right for them. There is an information session on Sunday 10th December 11am in the Discovery Cafe at Church which will last an hour and be accompanied by light refreshments. Anyone is welcome to this who is interested in being a member of our church. By attending you are not making any expression of commitment. Children are welcome to come and bring a toy/book/device to occupy them but the session will be aimed at adults.
Pastoral News
We are sad to announce a number of bereavements within the church family.
Ivor Lucas’ wife Mary died some weeks ago and her funeral service is at St Budeaux Methodist Chapel, Monday 4th December, 10am and all would be welcome to attend.
Brian Westlake’s son Nicholas also sadly died a few weeks ago. The Thanksgiving service for him will take place at PMCH on Wednesday 6th December at 2pm. All are welcome.
Betty Travis, a long standing member of our church who has been resident at Bethany Christian Home died last weekend.
We remember all of the families of these three people in our prayers.
Advanced Safeguarding Course
Advanced Safeguarding Course:
In person at PMCH. Saturday 13th January 2024. 10 - 4pm with registration from 9.30am. Please bring a packed lunch. Refreshments will be provided. This course is for anyone in leadership of groups/ local preachers/ worship leaders/ youth and children etc.
Please sign up here
Coming up this Month...
Saturday 2nd December - 9:30am Prayer on the streets
Sunday 3rd December - 11am Morning Worship - Rev Gareth Higgs
Sunday 3rd December 7pm - Healing Service with Holy Communion - Rev Gareth Higgs & Rev Dave Martin
Wednesday 6th December - 7:30pm Church Monthly Prayer Meeting
Thursday 7th December - 7pm - Mens Curry Night at The Mannamead on Mutley Plain
Sunday 10th December - 11am How to belong? New Members morning
Sunday 10th December - 3pm Messy Christmas
Sunday 10th December - 7pm Evening Worship - Mrs Judi Vilkauskas
Thursday 14th December - 5pm Walking Carols
Sunday 17th December - 11am Morning Communion - Rev Dave Martin
Sunday 17th December - 7pm Christmas Carol Service - Rev Gareth Higgs & Pastor Jonny Libby
Sunday 24th December - 7pm Christmas Communion Service - Rev Gareth Higgs
Monday 25th December - 11am All Age Celebration - Rev Gareth Higgs
Monday 25th December - 12:30pm Christmas Day at the Hall
Sunday 31st December - 11am Morning Worship - Rev Gareth Higgs