That Time of Year Again

If you're anything like me, 2010 has flown past, and the fact that Christmas is only 10 days away, is seriously scary pyjamas...I am actually yet to sort out any presents, and due to lack of time, people may be getting old recycled socks or something.

Still, with Christmas around the corner, and 2011 very much on the horizon, there is a lot to be thankful for, and a lot to do. 

Tonight is Engine Room, the monthly prayer meeting of Citygate Church. It really is the engine of us as a body of believers; time to get together and thank God for what He's been doing, and seek Him for more of his heart. If you want to see what we're truly about, blood sweat and tears, Engine Room nights are important and as Students and Twenties, and a great number of people in the church, it's your responsibility to get along - cell groups aren't running on Engine Room weeks so you've got no excuse for business!

(I do hope you appreciate my nice photo of an engine...seemed pretty fitting to me...)

This Friday, I'm hopefully going into Bournemouth to hand out some flyers and chat to people about Jesus (as long as I can get hold of some flyers!) If you're around and would like to come and join me, I'd love the support. Our town needs us to speak truth at this time of year.

Sunday morning, we've only got one morning meeting at 10.30am! So, turn up at your usual time and you'll either be an hour early (unlikely for you students and twenties, lets be honest) or an hour late (and you don't want to be the one making noise at the back and trying to find a seat in a packed building!)

For lunch we're planning on heading to the Cat and Fiddle Pub in the New Forest.Click here for more details!. Hopefully people with cars will be pleasant enough to drive everyone out there - if they do, make sure to give them some petrol money, just to make things fair. Afterwards we're going to go for a a wander around the New Forest and walk off the calories we've consumed over a hearty lunch. If anyone can suggest a good walk, I'm all open to suggestions!

Then it's back to St Swithuns for the Traditional Carol Service at 7pm. Again, click here for more information. Last year, this was an absolute highlight. For some reason., regardless of personal beliefs, everyone loves a good sing-song to some carols when it gets near to Christmas. Take the opportunity to invite people along and meet your friends. We want to let people see that Jesus is alive and amongst us and Christmas is much more than mulled wine and minced pies (although we'll be having some of those and some fire pits like the 5th too!)

Make sure to respond via Facebook and maybe use the event page to invite your own friends! We'd love to see as many people there as possible, coming under the sound of the Gospel.

To those of you who've gone home, I wish you the happiest of seasons, hopefully filled with rest, relaxation and some great times with family and friends. Most of all, I hope that Christ is at the centre and you are mightily blessed by Him. 

For those of you that leave Bournemouth for most of the year and are on your way back for a few weeks, we look forward to seeing your smiling faces and catching up. Make sure to be around for socials!

For some, Christmas can be a really hard season, so make sure to message me or James via email (jdruce@citygatechurch.net or vcavolina@citygatechurch.net)
or Facebook if you've got things going on that you'd like prayer for, and if there's anything we can do, we'll be right on it!

I look forward to seeing you all very, very soon and remember - let me know about FRIDAY!

Lots of love

Vicki

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