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Worship dates:

Weekly events

Beavers - Mondays @ 6pm-7:15pm

Lively Ladies - First Monday in the month @ 7:30pm

Lunch Fellowship - Tuesdays @ 11am-1pm

Baby Song - Tuesdays @ St. Thomas’

@ 9:30am and 1pm Weight Watchers -Wednesdays

@ 6:30pm-7:30pm Mother & Toddlers -

Thursdays @ 1pm-3pm Explorers - Thursdays

@ 7:45pm-9:15pm Choir practice - Thursdays

@ 7:15pm-9:00pm JC’s & Youthie - Fridays

@ 6pm-7:30pm Prayer Meeting - Saturdays

@ 9am-10am

www.cross-hills.org.uk

www.facebook.com/xhillsmethodist

Sun 2nd Dec 10:30am - Advent 1 Worship Led by - Alison Dobson Sun 9th Dec 10:30am - Advent 2 Worship - Local arrangement Sun 16th Dec 9:15am - ABC breakfast followed by... 10:30am - All Age led by Rev. Francis Sun 23rd Dec 10:30am - Advent 4 Worship Led by - Mandy Stoner Sun 30th Dec 10:30am - Worship Led by - Rev. Graham Smith Sun 6th Jan 10:30am - Worship Led by - Julie Taylor Sun 13th Jan 10:30am - Worship Led by - Rev. Francis

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Issue 11 December 2018

Dear Friends,

The nights are certainly darker now and winter is drawing upon us. The forecasts indicate that it won’t be too long before we have the first frost and, although as I write this there are still leaves upon the trees, I am sure it will not be long before they have fallen. As much of nature at this time of year in this country seems to slow down and hibernate, our response to Advent and Christmas seems to be one of direct contrast and of busyness, in what seems to be almost

constant activity. The demands and pressures of life today seem to become ever more frenetic and this is particularly highlighted during this season. I wonder whether we might be able to commit ourselves during Advent to find some-time of quiet reflection allowing ourselves the opportunity to spend time with God as we read Scripture and pray and ponder on the awesome reality of God with Us – Immanuel, when: ‘The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.’ John 1:14 Continued on page 2

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article from page 1 On behalf of Denise, myself and our family I send you our greetings and pray that you will know the love and peace of Christ this Advent, Christmas and through the New Year: Lord Jesus, Master of both light and darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas, We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say “Come Lord Jesus”. Amen H J M Nouwen Love,

REX Cinema Elland

presents...

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE The Rex cinema in Elland will be showing the inspiring Christian film I CAN ONLY IMAGINE (PG) for one day

only on:

Thursday 6th December at

7.45pm.

Do reserve this date in your diary and endeavour to go -

maybe bring your friends.

It would be lovely if our local churches could fill this large

cinema for the show.

See www.icanonlyimagine.co.uk for details.

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Have you spotted this little guy

along the way through the

newsletter yet? He’s been

hiding all over the pages!

Can you count how many

times you spot him?

_____________________________

West Vale by the Christmas tree. Friday 7th December, 7pm This is a joint service with St.

Thomas’ and Brooksbank

School Band.

Christmas Family ABC Sunday, 16th December, 9:15am – 11:15am

Cross Hills Methodist Church,

Greetland. Service led by Rev F. Neil.

Carols at The Star Sunday, 16th December, 6.30pm The Star pub, Road End,

Greetland.

Carols on The Green Monday, 24th December, 7pm

Corner of Hoults Lane and Milner Lane.

Followed at 7.45pm carols on the

Labyrinth, Cross Hills, followed by coffee and mince pies.

11.30pm Midnight communion at

Cross Hills

At the last church council meeting we discussed the

possibility of holding a Heritage

weekend to celebrate the history of Greetland and Lindwell before

we merged and became Cross Hills as we are known today and

the journey of how we became

the ‘Little church with a BIG heart’

We plan to hold the weekend on the 6-7th July 2019 and will be

asking for contributions and

stories for this in the new year.

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Personal Prayers Please continue to hold the

following people in your prayers…

Prayers for those who are ill at home or in hospital, those recovering from operations and all those who care for them For those in nursing homes, awaiting tests or unsure of their future Those suffering from loss and bereavement Particularly: Bernard, Laurence and Geoff Sylvia, Joan, Margaret B, Marion and Ronnie Sandra, Ruth, Christine and the family of Irene Peace

Amen

At 2pm on Sunday the 9th December, Janet and the team will be performing ‘The Promise’ at Halifax United Reformed Church.

On the 23rd of November Janet, Dawn, Kristina and Owen

took 12 young people from

Youthie down to Pontins in Southport for the annual

3GENERATE Methodist youth conference.

Despite the cold weather the

group managed to join in with as many of the activities and

worship over the weekend as

possible. This year’s theme was

#COURAGEOUS. Youth

President Designate, Jasmine Yeboah, issued this challenge to

children and young people: "I dare you to be different. I dare

you to be yourself. And I dare

you to be courageous." The weekend was spent making

new friends and experiencing

new things from silent discos and raves to bopping along to

the IDMC Gospel choir and

dancing to the mash-ups of the Urban Praise Project.

When it was time to get back on the coach home, the kids

exchanged numbers and hugs

with their new friends and waved them goodbye, until

next time! Everyone had great

fun and came away feeling uplifted (and relieved they had

phone signal again!).

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MEET MATT!

Hello. My name is Matt Smith, I’m 33 and born and bred in

Huddersfield. My wife, Sarah and I have been married for 11 years

and we have two boys Daniel 8 and Benjamin 5 who keep us very

busy. Amongst many other things I love, music and singing, Dr Who and Game of Thrones on TV,

Rugby was my sport of choice, now I just watch it, but still enjoy

hill walking which blows away the cobwebs and building Lego models

with the boys when the weather is too bad.

In September 2017 I began the

process of candidating for Presbyterial ministry (some of you may remember me appearing to a

meeting or two with Francis in autumn last year) and in April they

accepted me to start training. In September this year I started that

training, living at home and travelling to Queens College

Birmingham once a month for a weekend as well as studying at

home during the week.

You may think that this is all very nice but why are you telling us

this. Well, as part of the course, I’m asked to become involved with

a church family outside my home church and circuit, taking part in

the services and in the activities that happen throughout the week.

The idea is that I learn and grow through being part of a new

community and experience the different ways that churches serve and minister to each other and the

wider communities they are in. Knowing some of the great work

that Cross Hills does Francis has agreed that I can come to join in

with the work ongoing, help and support where possible and reflect

on how that may fit into my ministry in the future.

I love hearing what God has done and is doing in people’s lives and

look forward to hearing your stories as well as sharing mine

with you as we get to know each other over the next few month.

Your Brother in Christ,

Matt

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Geoff’s Recap

Out of the Darkness: What a good afternoon we had on 4th November when we presented Janet’s musical "Out of the Darkness" which is based on the life of John the Baptist. It was written and composed by Janet and for anyone, even with a basic knowledge of the bible, you are able to recognise the story and remember words and events which are part of the lives of John the Baptist and Jesus. There were over 40 people presenting it, the Cross Hills choir then members of JC's and Youthie along with the leaders. It was a full church and many comments were received on enjoying the presentation and being moved by parts of it. I am told that the singing came over well and was full of life, while the acting was shared out, in that Jesus and the Doctor (who), as well as the sketches included all from JC's and Youthie. It is our hope now to present it again next year,

the first probably being at St Andrews in March.

Abbi and Alice - Commissioning Service. As you were told last month, Abbi and Alice are now engaged on the One Opportunity Programme, and a Commissioning Service was held for them on 17th November. The service was led by Francis and the Sacrament was observed by Rev Terry Keen our Superintendent Minister. It was well attended by members of the church and families and it was the right way to start the scheme in our church. We know that Abbi and Alice will prove to be an effective and important part of the church and its ministry. They were straight into it the day after when Alice started her worship singing group and Abbi her discussion group at Youthie. Both went tremendously well. A Great Start.

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Offertory

29th October £132.17 4th November £195.49 11th £130.17 18th £173.20

Quiz 2018 It was our Annual Quiz on 17th November when 33 people were members of 9 teams at the event held at the Greetland Social club. As always the questions were testing but the general consensus as that they were easier (Phew). The winning team comprised Marilyn, Margaret Davenport, Lesley and Edwin. Yes, it was Edwin who was a member of the winning team although, modest as ever, he put the success down to his fellow team members.

Pantomime 2019: We have had our first reading for next years pantomime which is “Granny Get Your Gun”. We last presented it at Lindwell in 2006. We are using an old script so that we are able to invest in a projector which will provide better backcloths for our scenery. The pantomime is

being presented from 20th to 23rd February at St Thomas's schoolroom. Look out for publicity which will be out before Christmas.

PLEASE NOTE: We will be staying behind after the service on the 13th Jan to discuss our response as a church to the ‘Five Streams’. So we ask that you have a read through the hand out that was given with the October newsletter And consider your views and feedback for this. Thanks x