Where is it and when?
It will be hosted here, at Sprowston Methodist Church on Wroxham Road, Saturday teatimes – 5.00pm to 6.45pm – on 11^th February, 31^st March, and 16^th June.

Who is it for?
It’s for all the family. Children MUST be accompanied by an adult.

What will we do?
We start at 5pm with a variety of games and crafts, coming together at 6pm for activities, songs, a short prayer and a Bible story. At 6.15pm there’s an evening meal, and ‘go home’ time is 6.45pm.

Will it cost me anything?
No. Messy Church is completely free, but you can contribute by leaving a donation if you wish.

What a great idea… time to learn and have fun and eat together. Remind me, when is it on? It’s here on Saturdays: 11^th February, 31^st March and 16^th June, from 5pm onwards.

We are pleased to announce that we now have a dedicated page to follow their work, you can view it by clicking here.

Please pray for the work they do and for their continued health.

Whether you reckon this is a year to reform public attitudes to the young (a “national habit of being suspicious…”) and tackle the unhappiness and anxiety it breeds, or that, despite economic gloominess, 2012 is a year of great opportunity with Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics (and that we should “go for it”)… it certainly is a year of even greater opportunity in Jesus.

We hope to make the most of 2012. We shall be stepping forward, together, as we take hold of the grace offered us in Jesus.
It is our custom to use the formal setting of the annual Covenant Service and the demanding words of utter self-abandonment, as expressed in the Covenant Prayer.

At both morning services on Sunday 8^th, we shall follow the (1975 version) of that prayer, as a means of corporate commitment, or recommitment, to God in Christ Jesus.

I am no longer my own but yours,
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
Put me to doing; put me to suffering;
Let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,
Exalted for you, or brought low for you;
Let me be full, let me be empty;
Let me have all things, let me have nothing;
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
You are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

[Not everyone will feel comfortable with these words, but in praying “put me to suffering”, we are NOT asking the Lord to make us suffer! Instead, should the troubles of this world bring us into suffering, then we ask that God’s good purposes might shine through us even in that]

All our members are urged to attend, but all may join in… and you are welcome to be with us. Perhaps you’ll want to make this new year of 2012 a special one, yourself.

A lovely children’s nativity tableau helped us all to recapture something of the wonder and delight of a real Christmas – centred on Christ.

Thanks to everyone who prepared and took part, and to all who helped with refreshments.

There will be one all-age Service on Christmas morning at 10.30am, when all are welcome… and youngsters may bring a special present.
The Chinese Congregation meets at the earlier time of 1.00pm.
There will be NO evening celebration on 25th.

We return to our usual worship times on Sunday 1st January 2012: 9.30 and 11.00am, 2.00pm (Chinese), and then 6.30pm Prayers before our 7.15pm Celebration.

May the joy of the angels
the eagerness of the shepherds
the obedience of Joseph and Mary
and the peace of the Christ-child…
be God’s gift to us all, this Christmas and always. Amen.

Images now posted to the Flickr account (Ed).

We’re now gearing up for the all-age ‘Carols-round-the-Crib‘ on Sat 24th at 3.30pm, which we know lots of folk enjoy as a brilliant way to pause and catch breath on Christmas Eve. The day is rounded off with a quiet service of Holy Communion at 11.30pm, which will be led for us this year by Rev Alec Callaby (while the minister is at Horsford. Thanks, Alec).

Then it’ll be wrapping paper everywhere… and a chance to sing the Lord’s praises again on Christmas Day at the special 10.30am All-age Service. Most youngsters will have unwrapped all their pressies long before then, and it’ll be great to see you at 10.30am – together with your favourite gift.

Yep, as disclosed at the Carol Service, the minister’s family Christmas was on Sat 10th, when it was full house at the manse… and, for any who may be wondering, it is a bird-feeder and nuts!

Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

We will be bringing nibbles but would really appreciate if you could bring a little something too.

Everyone can come either in regular clothes or in Christmas fancy dress!

The following Thursday (29/12/11) will be a one week stop and refresh for the new year, when we start back on the 6th of January 2012!

The Box Team.

Here in this church in 2012 it is hoped to hold five Messy Church sessions meeting from 4.30-6.00pm on Sundays in the Hall and Catton Room. If you are able to help in any way if only on an occasional basis or would like more information please speak to Chris Callaghan or Ann Morton. There is to be an introductory meeting on Saturday, January 7th. A snacky lunch will be provided to be followed by the meeting. After Christmas a list will go up on the notice-board. Please add your name if you would like lunch.

Taken from the Messy Church DVD. Copyright Bible Reading Fellowship © 2011

Find out more about Messy Church at http://www.messychurch.org.uk

The ladies did us proud with an excellent 3 course meal which followed a splendid service in the main church.

Are you looking forward to next year – I am. Book early!

Pictures now on Flickr.

With crafts and games to keep children well-occupied, and refreshments available through the morning, it seems that everyone had a wonderful time. There were smiles all round and a real buzz throughout the busy morning. Folk were well-entertained, too, with a professional family-entertainer – and all children received a gift as they passed through a Santa’s grotto.

We hear that people are already looking forward to the next year’s events – planned for 26th May and 1st December 2012 - but we’ll need a little rest, first.

We’re obviously very grateful to all who sponsored and helped at this memorable community event, but perhaps the best thing was running it without any entrance fee and without seeking donations. God’s love is given us for free in Jesus, so we aimed to embody that with a seasonal gift-event for the local community. It seemed to work well!

[Pictures now posted on our Flickr account - Ed]

A total of 217 boxes have been filled and sent on – and we know these will be a blessing to many children in real need.

Below is a short video showing the journey and giving of the shoe boxes.