Springwell Village Methodist Church 

Wherever you are in the world -

We hope you have had
a wonderful peaceful Christmas
filled with God's grace 

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above" James 1:17 

Wishing you a very Happy New Year

As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold,
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to thee.

William Chatterton Dix (1837 - 98)

A Message from Matt

Dear Friends, We stand at the start of a new calendar year. I wonder how many of the dates held within the new calendar are already filled with things to do! Some of those things may be church-related, others family and friends, and you may well be counting down the days to warmer weather, new signs of spring, or the holiday which comes later in the year. 

Over the Christmas period, I led a funeral for a lady who went to bed one day and simply didn’t wake up the next. She did not suffer, she was not in any pain, and she had lived a good life. Whilst her family was sad at her passing, they were extremely grateful that her passing was peaceful. 

None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, as they say, and in some senses, tomorrow never comes! So, as the people of God, as we enter this new calendar year, what are we called to do? 

To love others as God first loved us 

To share the good news of Jesus 

To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Our faith is not a passive activity but one that calls us to play our part in living our lives in response to the love of God and the good news of Jesus. 

I pray that you will be blessed as you, in turn, bless others and show through your example what it means to know the good news of Jesus Christ in our lives and to experience the transformative love of God. 

Loving God, We pray that this year you would transform us through your love and inspire and empower us through your Holy Spirit. May we know your presence each day. May we look to you and your love as our joy and strength. May we see you take us to unexpected places. May we be challenged and disrupted by the gospel, being thankful for all the conversations and encounters that you will give us as your people. 

Thanks be to God. 

Amen

 As we go forward into 2025 and have our Covenant Service on 12 January, the following words are very appropriate:-

Another Year Is Dawning

Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.

Another year of service,
Of witness of Thy love,
Another year of training
For holier work above.

Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be
On earth, or else in heaven
Another year for Thee.

--Francis Ridley Havergal (1874)

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