church family news
   We continue to bring our weekly news via this page.  

Please check the tabs for individual groups  

and the 'What's On' tab for more updates

                                         If you need to get a message to anyone on this page please use the "Contact Us" page on this website.                                                                                         

            If you have any items you'd like us to include again please tell Maureen Jeavons or Alison Price                        

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If you  need, or you hear  of any one else who needs
PASTORAL SUPPORT 
please  contact EILEEN ADAMS  who in turn will inform the Minister and your own pastoral visitor 

If you have COVID (or any other problem) contact Eileen  or Sarah Shaw  

and we can arrange help  through our "Helping hands" group.

This is a group of very willing helpers  so please don't struggle alone

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A Christmas Message from Rev Stephen Willey

Dear Friends,

It is possible to think that Christmas is a warm and comfortable time of the year.  Pictures of firesides, Christmas trees with presents under them, good food to eat, nice things to drink, and happy families!

These pictures are very attractive, but they bear little relation to the first Christmas.  Then, a baby was born in a stable because there was no room in the inn.  Tinsel, fairy lights and glitter may delight us, sparkling and bright, but they do not capture the meaning of Christ’s coming amongst us.  

Taking on human flesh meant that Jesus was born, grew up and lived in the midst of us.  And, yes, it also meant that he would die. 

 Jesus, new-born, vulnerable and wonderful, reminds us how precious all God’s children are.  Because of God’s great love, Jesus takes on our flesh and so God draws very close indeed – close enough to know how it feels to be human, to feel like you and me.  
Christmas is good news!  God has sought us out and, whatever life may bring, because of Christmas we know God is never remote or uninterested.  God, in the child born in Bethlehem, has come close to our world in order to lead us into the ways of heaven.  Jesus, born and laid in a manger, brings the precious gift of himself, opening up God’s deep love and grace for each person, each situation.

May your world be filled with God’s love, grace and peace this Christmas!

Many blessings,       Stephen

SUNDAY  20th   December 

 Prayer Room open from 10.00 am   

(The prayer room is at the end of the long corridor at the side of the worship area) 

4th  Sunday of Advent 

Worship will be led by 

Rev Ben Haslam

 (Including Holy Communion)

is available after  the service.

1pm RCCG (Redeemed Christian Church of God) Covenant Rock 

4.30pm Candle Lit Worship of Lessons and Carols - Followed by Refreshments!

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10am CHRISTMAS DAY FAMILY WORSHIP led by Janice Smith

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Next  Week 

 Sunday 28th  December  

Worship will be led by David Clifford

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Sunday January 4th

10.30am MORNING WORSHIP led by Carole Donnison

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Church Activities during the week-

Sat January 3rd​

​10am-12 noon  Grief Cafe 

For anyone who's dealing with any kind of loss, not just bereavement.  We offer a safe and friendly environment where you will be listened to and  everything said will be confidential

Please know that we can always be reached by email: halesowengriefcafe@gmail.com         

Thursday Jan 8th​

​9.15 – 11am Toddlers​

​6pm Girls’ Brigade - Christmas Party

Tue January 13th​

2pm  ​Open Door – ‘Polar Bears & Me’  (John Smith)

      6.15 – 7.30pm Boys Brigade 

Thu January 15th​

​9.15 – 11am Toddlers

​Girls’ Brigade (under 11's: 6 - 7pm; over 11s: 7 - 9pm 

Sat January 17th​​

Quiz Night  is ‘sold out’- check with John Austin for cancellations. 

   

   

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COMING SOON

Saturday 17th January 2026

   QUIZ NIGHT

Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm Start

MAXIMUM 6 PEOPLE PER TEAM

£5 PER PERSON

Cold Refreshments

To book tickets message John Austin

07983499620

Limited number of tickets so book early!   

SOLD OUT !!! 

Service of Remembrance. It will be held at Hasbury Community Church at 3.00pm on Sunday 11th January. Whether your loss is recent  or long standing do come and take time to remember, to reflect and to honour their memory. 

SHORT CROSS

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HIMLEY ROAD

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FIVE WAYS CHURCH

5 Ruiton Street Gornal Dudley DY3 2EH

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                  SEDGELEY 

We are again doing ‘One Card for Christmas’.  Write one card to give Christmas greetings to all our Church Family and make a donation to Methodist Homes for the Aged (MHA)

REVERSE ADVENT – throughout advent rather than claiming a daily treat, to you are invited to place something in the reverse advent trolley TO GO TO THE FOODBANK for distribution at this special time of giving

THANK YOUs

Christmas Tree Festival (Dec 6th)

The total ‘raised’ has now reached £328.17.

PRAYER

Gift-giving God, may Advent be for us a time of giving and receiving.                                     Lord God of this Advent season, of every season, every day, minute and second, give us, we pray, the gift of peace in this season of Advent. Bring peace to the world, but also bring peace within each of us.                                                                                                                                        Gift-giving God, may Advent be for us a time of giving and receiving.                                     Lord God, we give ourselves afresh to you as we step into Advent. Let us iron the crumples and the creases from our lives so that we may be the best gift that we can be.                                             

Gift-giving God, may Advent be for us a time of giving and receiving.                                      May we start today and not wait to become, the person/people you want us to be, so that we can give the best that we can of you and ourselves, to those around us                                                 Gift-giving God, may Advent be for us a time of giving and receiving.

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CALENDARS Jackie Parkes is thinking of again producing a calendar with photos of church events and local views (proceeds for church funds). Please will you let her know if you would be interested in ordering a copy

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​​​​​​​​            ​Update on Recycling.  

We can no longer accept foil tablet strips or felt pens and biros. Sources are either too difficult to access or have stopped accepting them.

What we CAN recycle are ink cartridges, postage stamps, odd balls of wool, ribbons and beads( to decorate our twiddlemuffs) and  old spectacles ( please note we DON’T want the cases) 

And an update on  TEDDY BEARS:  Only the knitted ones go to children going into hospital ( contact me if you'd like a pattern). The bigger or toy ones go mostly to care homes. The ladies at Crafting for Communities dress them and they go mostly to dementia patients who love to have something to cuddle. They are extremely grateful for all the ones we've sent ( three bin bags full last time I went). THANK YOU for all your contributions. 

Eileen Adams

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EXPLORING A CALLING

Now that we belong to the new Anchor Circuit , God may be asking you to consider how you are being called to respond to this fresh start.

Rev Stephen is hosting a meeting for anyone who senses a call to lead worship within the Circuit; specifically, those led towards Worship Leading or Local Preaching. If you believe that God may be seeking to use your gifts and talents in this way please do get in touch with Stephen or me. 

The first get-together to discuss this is scheduled for Monday 10th November at 2:30pm at Stephen's manse in St. Kenelm’s Avenue, Halesowen. If you are unable to attend at this time, other meetings will follow.  If you need more details please let us know.

Susan Simpson simpsonsusan215@gmail.com stephen.willey@live.co.uk / 07503 174402 

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 PRAYER FOR BIBLE SUNDAY

Gracious Father, bless us through the pages of Your word in the Bible. Speak to our hearts through the hymns we sing, and the prayers we offer Help us to understand the words we read and to put the guidance they give us into our daily lives – to take Your word into our words and actions Am

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