Jesus
Out of the darkness shines a the actual accuracy of this being the place where Jesus was born. But for those who hold the scriptures close it is the place where the prophecies of Jesus’ birth are fulfilled.
Each Christmas these words are sung all over the world by millions of people. Its tune is so recognizable and many people sing it without a second thought to the significance of it’s message. Bethlehem is known to most people as the place where Jesus was born but beyond that its holds no particular significance. Those who travel to the holy land on pilgrimages visit ‘The Church of the Nativity’ in Manger Square to view the spot where Jesus was born, supposedly. Cynics would say this may be nothing more than a commercial opportunity and historians might question
Micah 5:2–5 Many, many hundreds of years before Joseph had to take his pregnant wife to his hometown of Bethlehem the prophet Micah had spoken from God with such
glorious light clarity that the promised Messiah would be born in this once great city. Bethlehem had become known as the city of David, because it symbolized the once great dynasty Israel mighty King had led. It had grown into an important, strategic and fortified city under King Rehoboam but by the time of Jesus' birth, Bethlehem had declined in significance to a small village.
villages of our world as a landmark site. Today some 25,000 people live in a bustling tourist location but one historic occasion will forever set it apart. May the words of this carol come alive afresh for us and those who are yet to encounter our magnificent God.
Into this village, about 65 miles south of Nazareth (quite a journey for a pregnant lady to travel), God shone the brightest light of all. Far brighter than an extraordinary star, the dawned upon our planet. Hope was born in a stable as God fulfilled the age-old promise of a Saviour for mankind. For this reason Bethlehem stands tall among the towns and
Modern day Bethlehem
Christmas Services Sunday 15th December 9am Children’s Nativity Service Saturday 21st December 6.30pm Carol Concert Sunday 22nd December 11.15am Children’s Nativity Service Sunday 22nd December 6.30pm Carol Concert (repeated) Tuesday 24th December 9.00pm Christmas Eve Communion Wednesday 25th December 11.00am Christmas Day Family Service Sunday 29th Dec (No evening Service) 9.00am & 11.15am Worship & Communion
Carols in the Park
This year some of the local churches are again coming together to sing carols outside the Keeper’s Lodge at Selly Oak Park in Gibbins Road. You are welcome to come along with your family and join in the chorus of praise as a witness in our area.
Christmas Offering
Each year we have chosen to demonstrate our love and support for a cause that we believe makes a difference in our world. This year we have decided to take our special Christmas offerings towards the work of ‘Hope for Justice’ which is an anti-trafficking group that is making a difference in our nation, bringing release and hope to those who have been held captive and bringing restoration through the wonderful news of the love of God. These love offerings will be taken during our carol services on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd December. Thank you for your generous giving to this ministry.
Ark Christmas Party Thursday 12th December This year we have an exciting schedule of festive activities and parties for all our community members that we serve. At our annual Christmas Party, all the individuals that are helped by ARK are receiving a Christmas gift. If you would like to contribute in any way, please contact Jess Pritchard for more details.
Ark Calendar This year we would like to present to you 'City Life' Calendar 2014. The Calendar is a collection of beautiful images of our great city captured by the Photography Life Group and matched with scriptures that will encourage you in your daily walk. Calendars are priced at ÂŁ3 with all profits being given to support the ARK Project which works to enable and equip families in need and individuals in our community. Calenders can be bought at Reception on the 8th and 14th December.
Ark Christmas Fayre Following our evening service the ARK team will be selling a selection of seasonal homemade treats, City Life Calendar and community crafts the proceeds of which will go towards the project.
Privileged A special evening for the girls at the Centre. See Jess, Natalie or Nicola for more details.
Christmas Hospitality Friends International in Birmingham are looking for households who would like to invite one or two international students to join them on Christmas Day ( or on Christmas Eve) to celebrate Christmas. Please contact Ron McCulloch (ronm@friendsinternational.org.uk Tel 0121 243 9643 m: 07507 229 348) by Sunday December 8th at the latest.
December 20 Monday
Tuesday
2 7pm Elders (LH) 7.00pm Intercessors (CH) 7.15pm Worship Team (CH)
9 7.00pm Intercessors (CH) 7.15pm Worship Team (CH)
3 10am Oasis Coffee Shop (LH) 10.30am Life Group (CH) 7.30pm Life Groups 7pm Privileged Pajama Party (CE)
10 10am Oasis Coffee Shop (LH) 10.30am Life Group (CH) 7.30pm Life Groups
4 9.30am Cosy Toes (CE) 7.15pm DNA Life Group (LH) 7:00pm Core
11 9.30am Cosy Toes (CE) 7.15pm DNA Life Group (LH)
5 10am Job Club (LH) 11.00am Drop-In (CE) 1.30pm CAMEO (CH) 10.00am Prime Time Christmas visit
12 10am Job Club (LH) 11.00am Drop-In (CE) 1.30pm CAMEO (CH)
Wednesday
Thursday
6 13 6.30am Morning Prayer (CH) 6.30am Morning Prayer (CH) 9.30am Cosy Toes (CE) 9.30am Cosy Toes (CE) 6.00pm Kidzone (CE) 8.00pm Youth Club (CE)
Friday
7
14 12.00pm Inspire Christmas Meal -see details 10.30am HOTS (Northfield) 7.00pm Ignite Ball (CH)
8 9/11.15am Morning Worship With Kids & Youth ministry 6.30pm Evening Service 8pm Ark Christmas Fayre (CH)
15 9am Children's Nativity Service 11am Morning Worship 6.30pm Evening Service
Saturday
Sunday
1 9/11.15am Morning Worship With kids & youth ministry 6.30pm Ignite Live (CH) 6.30pm Life Studies (CE)
013 16 7.00pm Intercessors (CH) 7.15pm Worship Team (CH)
23
30
17 10am Oasis Coffee Shop (LH)
24 9.00pm Christmas Eve Comunion Service (CH)
31
18 9.30am Cosy Toes (CE) 7.15pm DNA Life Group (LH)
25 11.00am Christmas Day Family Service (CH)
19 10am Job Club (LH) 11.00am Drop-In (CE) 1.30pm CAMEO (CH)
26 Boxing Day
20 27 ) 6.30am Morning Prayer (CH)
21 6.30pm Carol Service (CH)
28
If you would like more information about our church programme, please pick up a Welcome Booklet from one of our leaders at the end of the service. You can also visit our website: www.christianlifecentre.com
CH: Church 22 9am Morning Worship 11.15am Children's Nativity Service 6.30pm 6.30pm Carol Service (repeated)
29 9/11.15am Morning Worship No evening service
CE: Centre LH: Life House
Ignite live An evening for our young people to connect with each other and in the presence of God in worship and teaching. See Mark for further details of this evening. There is no Ignite Live in January due to the week of prayer.
Life Studies - ‘Angels’ This month Stuart will be looking at the function and purpose of angels in scripture and also in relation to our lives today.
Inspire Education Life Group Christmas
6th floor, House of Fraser, Corporation St A special Christmas get together for those who are involved in the Inspire Life Group. They will be meeting in the restaurant on the 6th floor of House of Fraser in Corporation Street. See Pauline for further information about this event.
Wedding Thanks We would like to express our love and thanks to so many people who helped to make our recent wedding such a wonderful occasion: To our family and many friends who have been so kind in giving us gifts and donations towards the Heart Foundation. To Deanna Harvey who made a beautiful wedding cake for us. To each one of the ladies who helped preparing and serving refreshments following the service. Also to each of the ministry team who played a part in making the service such a memorable experience for us. Thank you – you are all loved and appreciated. Brian & Eula.
Prime Time Christmas Trip Thursday 5th December 2013 A special Christmas day out for those who enjoy Prime Time. This year we will be visiting Wickstead Park to enjoy a special Christmas meal and a show. The coach will be leaving the church at 10am and returning at 6:30pm. Please speak to Lorna or one of the Prime Time team for further details.
momentum www.momentum-men.co.uk
Christmas Meal Thursday 19th December 7.30pm. The Gate, Bournheath, Bromsgrove Another great evening for the men to get together over a great Christmas pub meal. The cost of the meal is £16 per head, and names and full payment are required now in order to secure your booking. Please speak to Frank for further details.
Ignite Ball /Dessert Party Saturday 14th December 2013, 7-9pm Our young people will be enjoying a special Christmas ball at the church, with live music and help from Shaun ‘DJ’ Baxter. The dress code is formal: dresses for the girls and shirts for the boys. This is a free event, and open to all young people. See Mark for more details.
Young Adults Ignite Ball Party ter Saturday 14th December 2013
Af
Dessert Party: 7-9PM The young adults will be going out to a spur of the moment location after the Ignite Ball. If you want to be involved please see Dave Grogan who will simply tell you to ‘be ready for anything’ after the Ball.
Christmas Closures Youth Club Final 6th Dec Core Final 4th Dec Youth Church Final 22nd Dec
Start Jan 12th
Kids
Final 6th Dec
Start 17th Jan
Life groups
Final 10th Dec
14th Jan leaders meet Start 21 Jan
Oasis
Final 10th dec
Start 14th Jan
Cosy Toes
Final 18th Dec
Start 15th Jan
Job Club
Final 19th Dec
Start 16th Jan
Drop-In
Final 19th Dec
Start 2nd Jan
Start Jan 17th Start Jan 22nd
Church office closes at lunchtime on Monday 23rd December and re-opens Thursday 2nd January 2014.
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12 New Living Translation
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:1-12 New Living Translation
Sunday Services 9:00am
Worship Service including communion and a Children’s programme
11:15am
Celebration Service including a Youth and Children’s programme
6:30pm
Evening Service including prayer ministry
Would you like us to pray for you? For healing, your relationships, your finances, your work God cares ... and so do we ... Please use the prayer box in the foyer or email us with your prayer requests to: prayerneeds@christianlifecentre.com
Church: At the junction of Bristol Road & Langleys Road 900 Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6HW Offices: 2-6 Frederick Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6PB Tel: 0121 471 3677
If you are a visitor with us today, we extend a very special welcome to you. Please take a moment of your time to see one of the welcome leaders at the end of the service. We would like to give you a Welcome Booklet which contains information about our programme, and a gift to say thank you for being with us!
www.christianlifecentre.com