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HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, CORFU
PULSE
An insight to the workings and personalities of our church December 2003

''The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel'' - which means, ''God with us.'' Matthew 1:23
 

Parson's Paragraph - INGREDIENTS FOR CHRISTMAS WORSHIP

'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy....' (Luke 2 v 10)

Shortly before she left for England in August, I asked Pauline Pallavicini to take me through the diary and the worship pattern for the rest of the year. 'What will they expect at Christmas?' I asked her. 'Something fairly traditional here ', she said, 'just like England; a little bit of home from home.' So that's what you're getting; subject to a little bit of 'tweaking' by the Chaplain!
First a new one: On December 7th in the Songs of Praise slot at 1900 I have put in an 'Advent Carol Service'. These will not be Christmas Carols but a chance to sing some of the Advent songs and choruses on the theme of the Coming Christ.
On Sunday 14th there will be the NATIVITY service, with a new drama written by Jackie Dallos. This service will last around 40 minutes and be very suitable for the younger


children. After consulting the organisers, we have separated out the Christingle from the Nativity. The CHRISTINGLE service will now be on FRIDAY 19th at 2000 (8 p.m.) and I hope, weather permitting, to conclude with our lighted candles processing out of the church and around the Old Ionian Parliament Building finishing with a blessing in our own courtyard.
The traditional Nine Lessons and Carols will be on 21st at 1900. Christmas Eve has a Midnight Communion (Common Worship) at 2330 and on Christmas Day Family Communion at 1030.
All Services will have Christmas Hymns and Carols. I will try to include as wide a spread as possible. If you have a red-hot favourite, tell me early and I will try to make sure it will be there for you...but please turn up to sing it! So I look forward to welcoming faces new and old .

Avis joins me in wishing you all a Blessed Christmas when it comes and that you will find something new spiritually at this special time of the year. Clifford
GIFT OF GIFTS
At Christmas time every year millions of us go out in search for the perfect gift for our loved ones. We leaf through magazines; we scan the internet and watch TV for the latest ideas.
So what is the perfect gift?
Maybe a razor for dad, or socks for granddad, relaxing bath oils for mum, or a new video for the kids. Even the dog might get lucky and find a ribbon wrapped bone under the tree!
Two thousand years ago God knew our greatest need. So He gave us the greatest gift of all, He presented us in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ, the gift of all gifts. Through receiving this free gift and asking Christ into our lives we are not only cleansed of our sins but welcomed as sons and daughters into the Kingdom of God. What a wonderful gift! God doesn't stop there; He continues to fill us with 'love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.' If these things could be bottled up and sold somebody could become very rich, but instead they are there for our taking. If they were bottled, I think they would be on the top of most people's Christmas wish list. So for us who have already accepted this gift let us pass it on to all of those who have not yet accepted it, and pray to the Father to open their hearts and prepare them to receive the Gift of all Gifts.
This Christmas day as we open our presents, given to each other in love, let us all pause for a moment to Thank God for His gift, which He presented to us when He gave His Son as the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and eternal life.
'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so no-one can boast.' Ephesians 2 v 8-9 Andrea China- Wells

'The Three Sieves'
One morning Socrates walked through the streets of Athens. A man approached him, 'Socrates, I must tell you something about this friend of yours who...' Socrates interrupted him and asked him straight away, 'Did you pass this message through the three sieves? The first sieve is the truth. Are you sure that it is true what you want to tell me?' The man felt ashamed and blushed, 'No, not really, but they say ...' Socrates went on, 'Then you certainly used the second sieve, the sieve of the good. Is it something good you want to tell me about my friend?' 'Good, no, on the contrary.' Socrates looked doubtful, 'Then you certainly used the third sieve. Is it necessary that you tell me this?' The man had to deny this too. 'Well,' said Socrates, 'if what you want to tell me is not true, is not good and is not necessary, then forget it and don't bother me with it.'
From: Dutch magazine, transl. Reina

Greetings from: Harvey & Suzy. Melita & Christiana Forte who very much enjoyed the fellowship and prayer during their visit to HTC in the summer. Melita has sent us 2 Worship CDs from her home church of St Barnabas in Kensington and hopes we will all enjoy them.
News: Clifford & Avis will visit the Evangelical Church on Boxing Day - PTL for relationships with other churches.

For your Prayers:

* Charles
* David Poulter
* Clifford, Avis and Family
* The oppressed, depressed & broken-hearted
* All those whom we can't be with over the Christmas period
* All those travelling to spend Christmas abroad
Dates for your Diary:
Memorial Service for Tracey at HTC on Sunday 7th Dec at 5.30pm

Tues 23rd Dec Carol Singing round Town, meet at HTC at 5.30 pm

Coffee & Mince Pies
Saturday 13th December
10am - 12 noon
at
Ron & Stella's house
'Sandycroft' Poulades
(between Diellas & Poulades village)
in aid of church funds
EVERYONE WELCOME!

Sunday 4th January 2004 at 1900 'New Year Celebration' Songs of Praise followed by 'bring a plate' supper. Something for everyone of all ages with readings and songs in Greek as well as English. Start the New Year with Celebration and Praise!

Next Church Council Meeting: Wed 17th Dec 9.00 am
Items for 'Pulse' should be given to Stella & Ron 2661090926 or email stelnron@otenet.gr by the last Wednesday of the month
All enquiries regarding church activities should be directed to the office on 26610 31467 (Mon - Fri 10am - 1pm) e-mail holytrin@otenet.gr www.holytrinitycorfu.org
Out of hours & emergencies ring Clifford's mobile 6947287816

'Fear not ... for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.' Luke 2:10,11

Services in December:

BCP - Book of Common Prayer CW - Common Worship

7th December 1030 Holy Communion BCP
1900 ADVENT CAROL SERVICE
14th December 1030 NATIVITY SERVICE with
CAROLS
FRIDAY
19th December 2000 CHRISTINGLE SERVICE
21st December 1030 Holy Communion BCP 1900 NINE LESSONS & CAROLS
24th December 2330 CHRISTMAS EVE CW
25th December 1030 CHRISTMAS DAY
28th December 1030 Holy Communion CW

*Sunday School & Youth Group run at the same time as the Sunday Services

Weekly Activities:
Monday 1000 Alpha Course (English)
Tuesday 1000 Alpha Course (German)
1000 Library & Coffee Morning
1100 'Slimming Together'
Wednesday 1000 Coffee & Kids
(for ages newborn - 6 yrs)
1100 Follow-up Alpha Course
1200 'Lunchbox' - come & join us for lunch - everyone welcome
1900 Scrabble Club (Last Wed in month)
Thursday 1000 Bible Study - The Book of Acts
Friday Informal Fellowship & Prayer Meeting (please phone HTC to check time & place)
Saturday 1000 Jumble Sale (first Sat every month)