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December’s theme: What does it mean to live in the light of Christ?

Recommended book: “The One True Light” (by Tim Chester, available via / 0333 123 0880)

Light for the future

“The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory” (Isa. 60:19).

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arkness does not have many positive connotations in Scripture. A thick and heavy darkness was one of the plagues that the Lord sent upon Egypt in order to convince the pharaoh to free the children of Israel (Ex 10:21– 29).

Moreover, darkness in some places is a metaphor for wickedness, which is how John uses the image when he describes God as a being of light in whom there is no darkness (1 John 1:5).

Since darkness is often, though not always, used in a negative sense in the Bible, it is unsurprising to find that the final vanquishing of the darkness of night is a hope that perpetually reappears in the Word of God. In fact, one of the great promises regarding what would happen after Israel’s return from exile was that the darkness would be banished forever as the children of the Lord dwelled in His presence, the presence of pure, undefiled light.

We see this promise here, wherein the prophet Isaiah says the sun and moon will no longer be needed because God Himself will be a light for the people (Isa. 60:19–20).

One of the greatest blessings we have to look forward to in Christ is the ability to dwell in a new heaven and earth with Him as our light.

On that day, we will no longer stumble but will see clearly and love wholly His will for us. Having been set apart through His blood, we are even now beginning to walk, however imperfectly, in this light as we love God and neighbour, especially our neighbours with whom we gather to worship the Almighty week by week.

SUNDAY – ‘The Lord’s Day’

Christmas Eve

East Dean

9.30am All Age Carol Praise

with collection for Spinnaker (Schools work in Eastbourne)

Reading: John 12: 44-50

11.15pm Midnight Communion

with collection for Spinnaker (Schools work in Eastbourne)

Readings: Micah 5: 2-5a; John 12: 44-50

Friston

11.00am Morning Prayer

Readings: Isaiah 7: 10-16; John 12: 44-50

Jevington

3.00pm Christingle/Crib Service

with collection for The Children’s Society

Readings: John 12: 44-50

New, visiting or regular? Welcome!

If you are here for the first time, do introduce yourselves to us afterwards.

Coffee is served after most 9.30am services at East Dean, and at Jevington on some Sundays.

Children are welcome at all of our services. Jesus makes a point of welcoming them! Often there is a Sunday Club for children at East Dean and Jevington (ask for details). For smaller ones there is usuallyour Beehivegroup in the Cornerstone Room at East Dean. If a child becomes unduly noisy please use it so that people with a hearing impairment or using our hearing loop are able to hear clearly and participate in our worship.There is also a toilet with baby-changing facilities.

 If you take communion at another church regularly, feel free to join us in receiving the bread and wine here if it is communion. Alternatively, you can come up for a prayer (keep your arms at your side) or remain in a pew.

 The offering is primarily for our regular congregation, so please feel free to give or not, as you wish!

We want to keep the gospel at the heart of all we do. Have you discovered what the gospel is and repented and believed it? If you’ve yet to discover it for yourself, we’d be thrilled to help.David Baker – Rector – 423266 –