Christmas Bulletin
Since the office will be closed over the Christmas/New Year period, there will be one Christmas bulletin covering the weeks beginning 21st and 28th December and 4th January.
Carol Singing
Anyone is invited to join a group of Carol Singers who will sing a number of favourite carols around the streets near the church. We will also seek to engage people in conversation and give out invitations for people to come to our Christmas services. We will meet at 5.50pm and leave from the church at 6pm.
Christmas Carol Service and Lunch Club
Our Christmas Carol Service on Thursday, 11th December will start at 12 noon followed by a 2 course Christmas lunch with all the trimming's, which will be served at 12.45. We ask for a small contribution of £5.
All are welcome but if you wish to attend please put your name on the list at Reception, email me on valeriej.hardwick@yahoo.com or ring the Church office on 01403 211150 to book your place.
Please let us know if you have any dietary or allergy requirements.
Any requiring lifts to or from the church, please contact Chris Gargano Phone - 01403 266229 or email - kcgargano@gmail.com
December Walks
So as not to tempt walkers away from the HCT Carols in the Carfax on Saturday, the December walk will take place on Saturday 13th December. We will meet at church at 9.45am (note earlier time), enjoy a 6-7 mile walk from Balcombe and return by early to mid afternoon.
This month’s stroll will be on Friday, 19th December but will be in the morning rather than the afternoon. Meet at church at 10am.
Crawley Millennium Concert Band Concert
The band will be back at Brighton Road Baptist Church with their programme of festive music and carols entitled Jingle All the Way on Saturday December 13th starting at 7pm. Refreshments - tea coffee and mince pies - will be provided in the interval. Entry to the concert is free but donations to Pancreatic Cancer UK, who we regularly support, would be gratefully appreciated. For more information contact Judy McMahon Tel 07813686020.
Pop-up Christmas Choir
On Saturday the 20th December the church is having a Christmas Social to include a pop-up-choir. All are welcome to join in, and we will be preparing a carol to sing at the Carols by Candlelight service at 6.30 the following evening, the 21st December. It would be very helpful to have your names in advance so that I can prepare the right number of music copies to be available.
Mair Gordon Tel: 01403 754659 E-mail: howardandmair@gmail.com
Lay Preaching Course
Andy Twilley, our Regional Minister at SEBA, has encouraged us as a fellowship to consider the Lay Preaching Course, which will commence in February at Pembury Baptist Church. Please prayerfully consider if this is something you would like to do, or if you would like to encourage someone in the BRBC fellowship to attend. The Deacons will also be carefully considering this over the coming weeks.
Can you help?
Cherrie, Carol Mansfield's daughter, has asked if there any members of the congregation who would be willing to visit and sit with Carol during her carer's two hour daily break between 2pm and 4pm on one or more of the following dates.
Wednesdays 10 and 17 December
Saturdays 13 December.
If you are able to offer help on one or more days please email cherriemansfield@hotmail.com with your availability and any questions you may have.
The Bible Course
We are planning on using The Bible Course as an After Alpha discipleship group and for anyone else who is newer in the Christian faith or still wanting to know more about it. The Bible Course has 8 sessions and it gives an overview and better understanding of the whole Bible.
The sessions will take place twice a month on a Friday evening 7.30 - 8.30 pm in the Chapel on January 16, 30, February 6, 20, March 13, 27 and April 10, 24.
If you are interested please speak to Michael or Julie Shimizu.
Horsham Food Bank
The Food Bank is still seeking donations this festive season. We have a food collection box at Reception and we would be extremely grateful if you would consider supporting the Food Bank.
Thanks
Thank you very much for the beautiful flowers which were delivered to me after Sunday's service. They look very cheerful and the kind thought is much appreciated.
Lynn Chuter
Request from Clive Gooding
Clive is thankful for everybody’s kind thoughts and prayers following his diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer. He is wondering whether there would be anyone able and willing to take him to hospital appointments outside Horsham (Redhill, Guildford etc.) If so, he would be very grateful.
Coffee Rota
4th January Ros & Brian
11th January Marion & Jill
18th January Hilary & Alison
25th January Yvonne & Allan
1st February Mary & Avril
8th February Ros & Brian
15th February Marion & Jill
22nd February Hilary & Alison
1st March Yvonne & Allan
8th March Mary & Avril
15th March Ros & Brian
22nd March Marion & Jill
29th March Hilary & Alison
BMS Birthday Scheme
The BMS Birthday Scheme enables you to support the work of BMS World Mission by making a donation on your birthday. If you would like to join the scheme, contact Brenda Rowley – email:- bren151@talktalk.net
Celebrating a birthday this week is Christine Oakley on Wednesday 10th December.