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Holy Communion Two at 11.15 pm using Titus 3.4-7; Luke 2.8-20
Preached at Dromore Cathedral 3 .2 Mb in size 8 minute address req 15 s to download on broadband

Christmas Eve Address

And there were shepherds…

the shepherds watched Luke 2.8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
watching: marking the time as the moon and stars rise and fall.
watching: guarding their sheep in the face of unseen danger.
watching: wondering what the rest of the night, week, season would bring.

How observant are we to spot the works of God when they do occur, or are we, like so many, sleeping?

the shepherds witnessed Luke 2.18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them
witnessing: to one another: what was that, who were they, what now? v15
witnessing: to Mary and Joseph about the words of the angels v17
witnessing: to all and sundry about the events of their night v 18
How communicative are we to share the good news of God’s purpose with friends acquaintances and the world?

the shepherds worshipped Luke 2.20 shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen
worshipping: making God’s glory known v20
worshipping: declaring God’s praise to Him v20
worshipping: affirming which were just as they had been told
How devoted are we to enter the time and place of praise and worship?
To respond effectively to this address involves inner resolve, outer speech, and immediate praise.
Before we meet again I will declare God’s goodness to someone, and be open to share my joy with whomever God puts in my way!

We wish each online visitor the blessings of a Christ-filled Christmas in 2007. May you sense the excitement of the season in an atmosphere of expectant hope. God has sent his Son Jesus to be the Saviour of the world. As we remember the events surrounding his birth, may we know his grace and joy every day of the season and have a peaceful and fruitful New Year.

The Parish Post for January 2008

This file is 940 KB in size. This means your computer will take some time to download the file, depending on your internet connection speed. A few seconds for broadband, longer for dial up.

Last week’s news sheet: download here: Sunday News Sheet

A new Daily Prayer Guide for 2008 has been launched with January’s Parish Post: please download a copy. It is a PDF file of 663 kb and will take seconds on your broadband or a minute on your dial up account (approximately). Daily Prayer Guide 2008 MkII

New Wine holds a conference in Sligo each year: an event which has proved enjoyable, challenging and a spiritual highlight for many who have taken part.

Called Kingdom Come the key speaker is John Hughes, music led by Kathryn Scott, returning from last year, and the usual mix of seminars are offered.

Early birds pay a much cheaper conference fee: for details see www.new-wineireland.co.uk or send an email to paul (at) new-wineireland dot co dot uk

The 200Kb current edition of the Newssheet