Christmas and New Year Holiday
The office will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period so this bulletin covers the three weekends: 21st and 28th December and 4th January. We wish all those involved in serving us in different ways a Happy Christmas and pray for God’s blessings in the New Year.
Mission Prayer Meeting
On Sunday 21st December at 9.15am in the Main Hall there will be an opportunity to hear recent news from our overseas mission partners and to pray for them, especially as they celebrate Christmas along with those they work with.
BRBC Christmas Day Service - Bring along an Opened Present
As part of this year's Christmas Day service at BRBC, I will invite children and young people up the front to show to the congregation one opened present that they have received this year. So please bring along an opened present with you on the day and we will have a look at and give thanks for all the gifts that we receive. Adults are also welcome to bring along a present to show the congregation - the more and funnier - the merrier! Thank you. Michael. Please note: the service will be broadcast online.
New Year Walk
If you would like to start the New Year with a 5-6 mile country walk around Leith Hill, meet at church at 9.45am on Saturday 3rd January.
BRBC Bible Studies on the "I AM sayings of Jesus"
I have produced eight Bible studies on the first series that we shall be exploring on Sundays at BRBC in 2026 - "The I AM sayings of Jesus". They can be used for both personal or group studying. They can be found on our BRBC website - RESOURCES > DOWNLOADS > BIBLE STUDY NOTES. I pray you find them helpful. Michael.
https://www.brbc-horsham.org.uk/Groups/384045/Brighton_Road_Baptist/Resources/Downloads/BRBC_Bible_Notes/BRBC_Bible_Notes.aspx
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.
The Flower Calendar for 2026
The Calendar for 2026 is now up on the board. I know it is in an awkward place behind the door to the main hall but I am hoping that many of you will find it and sign up to give the flowers or money to buy the flowers on a particular date or you could simply boost the flower fund by making a donation to be used when no-one has signed up to give flowers. We had a lot of blank spaces in 2025 and I am hoping more will give in future. This is a vital part of our ministry to the sick, bereaved, housebound or maybe lonely people linked with our fellowship.
With the arrangers turn coming round every 3 weeks, it would be an enormous help if you could arrange your own flowers, or simply put them in a vase, and indicate this by ticking the box by your name. We like enough flowers to distribute to 3 people if possible but that can cost under £20.
Ideally we would like more arrangers and more distributors to ease the pressure on both groups of hard-pressed volunteers. Can you help?
Many thanks,
Sheila Stevens
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will run from 18th to 25th January 2026, with prayer meetings throughout the week and a united service at St Mary's at 6pm on Sunday 25th January.
BMS Birthday Scheme
Celebrating birthdays within the next few weeks are Joan Reed on Sunday 21st, Mary Reed and Muriel Kent on Monday 29th December, Maureen Norman on Friday 2nd and Brian Stevens on Monday 5th January, 2026.