A big thank you to all who contributed to this most enjoyable evening.             
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The annual Stable Trail landed at Hope Church again this year, with all new activities. The Stable Trail is like a nativity grotto! There were lots of people going around the trail learning all about the origin of Christmas. First, everyone visited King Herod in his palace and met the wise men. They needed to decode a special message to work out where to go next. The message said "follow the star" which they did and found the shepherds. While speaking to the shepherds, an angel appeared! The angel told them they must continue following the star. The shepherds had lost their sheep though, and needed help getting them back. Once everyone had helped get all the sheep back into their field, the shepherds were worried that they were about to visit a very special baby in dirty clothes. The angel told them not to worry! They can come as they are, to follow the star. While following the star, the ink keepers needed some help to finish making their cakes. There were also refreshments available before and after the trail including some yummy mince pies. The trail ended in the stable, meeting a very special baby called Jesus! Everyone learned about why he is so special, and that He is the reason we celebrate Christmas.
A huge thank you to everyone involved in making the Stable Trail a reality, including our two special angels who guided the children through the trail! 50 children got to hear about the true meaning of Christmas, and why we celebrate it this year. To find out what else is happening this Advent and Christmas season, click here.
The Christmas countdown has started in Hope with our Christmas Starts service and light switch on. It all started inside, where we heard from Mary, the angels and the centurion Dave Healey !  The church was full of people ready to hear who was about to arrive! They proceeded outside to be led by the angels in song until we were ready for the countdown.  Unfortunately though, there was no room at the inn (Red Lion) meaning Mary and Joseph needed to find somewhere to stay, so she could give birth!  Once they found their way over to the stable, the countdown started for the star to be lit! Play the video below to see the moment it happened. Once the bells had stopped ringing, all the lights were switched on!  A massive thank you to everyone who helped support our service, it is not possible without you all!
Did you enjoy Sunday? Why not come along and try Hope.4.All, every Sunday at 4pm in Hope Church. 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 At Pop In this week 6th form music students from Castell Alun High School once again treated us to a lunch time concert featuring guitar, piano and voices. This is being established as a regular event usually on the last Thursday of the month and is proving very popular.
Pop In continues to take place in the Church Hall every Thursday from 12.30 to 3pm offering fellowship and refreshments. Soup and rolls are on offer on the last Thursday of the month. Everyone is welcome. If you need a lift please ring Pat on 769238 or Blodwen on 760715. Donations from Pop In over the last 6 months have been made to: MacMillan Cancer Relief Alzheimer's Dementia Society Flintshire Save the Heroes Open the Book (supporting the team from local churches who present Bible stories in primary schools) Your Space Wales (based in Llay supporting young people in the autism spectrum) Teams4U (towards transport costs of the Shoe Box Appeal) Soldiers off the Street, Wrexham Flintshire Food Bank. The photo below shows Kirsty Blain (second left) with four others commissioned as worship leaders by Rev Martin Batchelor last night at the Mission Area evensong in St Matthews, Buckley. The diocesan engagement officer, Sarah Wheat, also spoke about the diocesan charity for 2019, Housing Justice Cymru. Congratulations, Kirsty! 
At the monthly Activity Day on Saturday 10th visitors were invited to visit the church and church hall to see the remembrance exhibitions and activities, to climb the tower and to enjoy refreshments. In the early evening an Eve of Remembrance Vigil was held incorporating readings, poetry, music and prayer.
        
Other events coming up are the Remembrance Activity Day and Remembrance Vigil Service on the 10th November. On 11th November itself there will be laying of wreaths at the cenotaph followed by the parade to Hope Church for the Service of Remembrance.
Morning Worship on Sunday included the dedication of the new church clock automatic winding mechanism. From now on it is no longer necessary for the steps to be climbed twice weekly for the clock to be wound by hand. The mechanism has been funded by church member Mrs Dinah Fidler and her family in memory of Dinah’s husband Russell who was a keen amateur horologist. The dedication coincided perfectly with the chiming of 12 o’clock! Dinah and her family can be seen after the dedication in this photo in which her great-grandson is holding a new kneeler worked by Dinah, also dedicated in memory of Russell.  |
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