CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORD (PART 1)
Hope Quito Ecuador Christmas
In Hope Quito, we decided to have a two-part Christmas Service. Part one was held on the night of December 21, when we brought our church to a poor community in Quito and blessed 100 children. This was our biggest project in Hope Quito’s history. We rented a mini-bus and went to San Juan de Calderon together as a church. We sang Christmas songs, played games and showed a movie about the birth of Jesus.
After that, we passed out the gospel, in the form of a short comic, to each child. At the end, one of our Sunday school teachers, Karina, shared the gospel to the children. We also served them food and hot chocolate to blessed on a very cold night. The children received their Christmas gifts with thankfulness too. It was a meaningful and satisfying time for all of us. We were glad to have the opportunity to bring the gospel to a poor community during the Christmas season.
Part two was held the night after, on December 22, when we held a thanksgiving dinner at church and celebrated the goodness of God in our lives and in our church for 2010. It was also an awards night where we gave out 10 prizes to church members who have grown tremendously in different areas in their life.
Hope London Central - Homecoming Christmas Celebration
On December 19, 2010, Hope London Central church held its Christmas Celebration at The Old Cinema in Central London. Festivities included an ice-breaking game, a 30-minute drama skit, and a message from our dear pastor and of course, sing Christmas carols.
The place was packed with people, and there was a tremendous atmosphere with people clearly feeling God’s presence and joy in the meeting. Despite the heavy snow on the day before and cancellations of some public transportation service, over 100 people attended the anniversary, comprising of our members, visitors, friends, colleagues and some of our brothers and sisters from Hope London West church.
We could see people were having a good time during the ice-breaking game and were really taking part in worshipping God. Peace and joy was felt amongst the people in the meeting. It was evident that people really enjoyed the “Homecoming” drama skit. It was fascinating, funny and included some high quality dancing and dramatic scenes.
The drama skit ended with a message on 'Homecoming' by Pastor Vincent Ong. We thank God for this Christmas celebration as it was another special and meaningful occasion for our members and visitors. Yes, Hope London Central - make it your home!
Hope Vancouver Christmas Celebration
This Christmas peom is written by Channan - a new believer in Hope Vancouver - Canada For two thousand and ten
And I hope you will enjoy it
With your families and friends
As we celebrate the birth
Of our Savior, Jesus Christ
Who gave himself freely
Just to save our life
He taught us how to live
For Kindness, Love and Joy
He taught how to forgive
For the peace, that it employs
And so the greatest gift on Earth
Cannot be found in a store
It has no limits either
So you can give out plenty more
And I'm talking about a smile
And a handshake, and a hug
That warms you from within
Like, hot chocolate in a mug
But then, a gift wrapped in a present
Can also symbolize a thought
That you care about another
With everything that you got
So then, to give Happiness to others
Is what I truly think of Christmas
In whatever form we find it in
It is always on our wish-list
Four hours every 365 days – it may not seem like much, but the folks of Inala will tell you that the annual Christmas for Kids (C4K) is something they look forward to. So much so that the Kelly family and their friends were at DJ Sherrington Park almost two hours before the 10am start. Miranda Kelly, 6, remembers having her face painted last year and that’s one of the first things she did again this year. Despite of the heavy rain, over 200 children and families participated in this special community event.
Put up by volunteers from Hope Brisbane Church’s community service arm, Hands of Hope, C4K showcases the Christmas spirit of unconditional giving. This year, that giving was tested by the rain, which started days before 4 December and kept coming down on Saturday itself. Yet the 300 volunteers selflessly arrived by 7.30am (some even spent the night at the park in their cars) to set up and generously gave of themselves throughout the day.
No wonder the VIPs, such as Brisbane’s Right Honourable Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and his Inala representative Rachel Bickle, said they were “in awe” of the volunteers. Indeed, the volunteers have lived out what Mother Theresa would say, “We can do no great things, only small things, with great love”.
