Once you choose Hope, anything is possible

During last year's Harvest Service, the Rev Neil Drayton gave £10 to each of the youth organisations, and challenged the members to use their gifts and talents to multiply this amount. The money they raised was for the Church Project 'Nijera Shikhi' - a learning project in Bangladesh.

The Scouts raised money by holding a talent show, while the Beavers and Cubs entertained us with their Sing-a-long-a-Santa evening. The Cubs baked cakes and biscuits for a Sunday morning cake stall, while the Shell Group held a well attended coffee morning. The Youth Club (supported by a valiant group of Beaver/Shell Group mums) organised last months Barn Dance. It's been a busy 6 months! This Sunday the different groups presented their cheques to Neil - the £50 had been grown into more than £2000!

Meanwhile we celebrated the achievement of a group Cubs - applying their talents and winning the Cheshire Art and Craft competition!

During the service Neil talked about hope - the hope that Nijera Shikhi has given to people in Bangladesh, the hope that Zacchaeus had for his meeting with Jesus, and the hope that we find in Christ's life, death and resurrection.

The quote for the day is from the actor Christopher Reeve 'Once you choose Hope, anything is possible', and the days prayers voiced the hope that Christ's coming into the world has given us.

In a pauper’s stable - hope was born
In the minds of the poor shepherds - hope burnt bright
In the eyes of an old woman - hope was seen
In the ears of the deaf - hope was heard
In the skin of the diseased - hope was felt
In the bodies of the lame - hope gave strength
In the hearts of his disciples - hope gave warmth
In the traitorous kiss - hope was not lost
In the tears by the cross - hope gave comfort
In the empty tomb - hope gave life
In the depths of our hearts - hope still gives us life
Amen.

Because it was Mothering Sunday the children gave out flowers to all the ladies who attended both the 9.30 and 10.30 services. The Shell Group children had also worked hard to make cards for all the ladies.