All Categories - HOPE & EMMANUEL

Wine & Wassail

15/12/2018

Mince pies, mulled wine and home-grown entertainment were on offer at Friday’s Wine & Wassail evening.

We enjoyed the talents of those who sang, recited, told jokes, performed drama or played music (and some of those talented people were very young indeed!) And of course we all enjoyed singing some of our favourite carols together.

You may wonder what Sue is doing in this photo. She performed a comical routine on what may happen if you do some Christmas baking whilst sipping too much whisky! The photos below show some of the others who shared their talents and gave their thoughts about Christmas.

A big thank you to all who contributed to this most enjoyable evening.

Stable Trail

8/12/2018

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.

Students raise funds for MacMillan

6/12/2018

It was Pop In with a difference this week! Our usual helpers had a rest and the event was run by a group of students from Castell Alun who were raising money for MacMillan Cancer Support. We were served with coffees, teas, biscuits and cakes and we were entertained by a student playing the piano. The students had also organised a raffle with some amazing prizes.
It was good to see both regulars and visitors supporting the students' efforts and the very worthwhile cause.

Come as you are.... to follow the star!

3/12/2018

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.

News from Pop In

29/11/2018

🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶 🎶

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.

Our new worship leader, Kirsty

26/11/2018

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!

The Christmas Fayre

25/11/2018

There was plenty to tempt the visitors at Hope Church’s annual Christmas Fayre. What a wide variety of stalls … crafts, plants, jams and pickles, cakes, bric-a-brac, books, toys, trash n’ treasure and much more. Those serving refreshments did a roaring trade as did guest of honour, Father Christmas!

The organisers were delighted that so many from the community supported the event and a pleasing sum of £1389 was raised for church funds. Thank you to all who contributed to the success of this occasion.

Hope remembers

11/11/2018

This year’s Remembrance Season has been a special one commemorating 100 years since the Armistice which brought an end to World War 1.

The poppies cascading from the tower of Hope Church has been admired by many and even featured in a BBC television broadcast. Floodlighting ensures it continues to look striking even after dusk. Over 3000 other handmade poppies adorn the church, churchyard, roadsides and the Willow playing field. Handmade poppies mark the graves of the World War 1 servicemen laid to rest in Hope Cemetery.

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.

Following the Remembrance Service on Sunday morning the Boys' Brigade led the Parade from the church to the Willow Playing Fields where Adam led the dedication of the field to those local men who lost their lives in World War 1.

To complete this special day a beacon was lit on Hope Mountain as part of the nationwide Battle’s Over tribute.

Thank you to all who contributed their ideas, skills or time to mark this very special commemoration.

Preparing for Remembrance 100

1/11/2018

Preparations for this year’s Acts of Remembrance have begun. The seated silhouettes in Hope Church are part of a project by the charity Remembered called ‘There but not There’. By Remembrance Sunday all 10 figures that the church has been awarded will be in place as a reminder of those who did not return.

Now you can see Hope Church Tower’s Poppy Cascade featuring laminated poppies contributed by children from local schools and youth groups. It’s a fantastic sight and a moving tribute to those who went to war to keep us safe. They will soon be joined by hundreds of knitted poppies made by members of the local community which will be displayed on crosses and garlands in the churchyard, along Fagl Lane to the cemetery and at the Willow. It is a marvellous community effort involving villagers of all ages.

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.

Dedication of the new clock mechanism

28/10/2018

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.