Carew Wesley Chapel

There will be a service at the chapel on Christmas Eve at 9pm, which will be lead by Rev’d Lorette Hinson, to welcome the coming of our Saviour. Alternatively, there will be a Circuit service via zoom from Hall Street, Llanelli at 11.30pm lead by the Superintendent, Rev’d Geoff Hays. Further information may be obtained from: www.swwalesmethodists.org.uk .

There will be no service at the chapel on Christmas Day, but members and friends are invited to join the congregation at Pisgah Baptist Chapel at 9.30am. There will be a zoomed service from Albany Church, Haverfordwest at 10am. Please see website as above for further information.

The lectionary readings for Christmas Day are from the Book of Isaiah 52. 7-10; Psalm 98; the Letter to the Hebrews 1. 1-4, (5-12); the Gospel of John 1. 1-14.

The ‘Warm Hub’ will be open again on Monday, January 2, 2023. It will take place in the Youth Club Hall and will be open to all from 1pm to 4pm. If you feel the need for a warm place to go or would enjoy a time of fellowship with others, then come along and have a cup of tea. All are very welcome to enjoy this space.

The members of the chapel wish all who read this newspaper a Blessed Christmas. Rejoice! The Lord is here.

St. Mary’s church, begelly

Saturday, December 24, 3pm – Crib Service;

11.30pm – Midnight Christmas Eucharist

Mondays ‘A Warm Space’ 1pm to 3pm – Bring a craft, play a game or just come for tea and a chat.

Tuesdays ‘Pebbles’ playgroup 10am to 12noon – Pre-school for children and parents.

It was lovely to see the candlelit church so full for the Nine Lessons and Carols service. Thank you to everyone for all the preparations, to those from the community who agreed to read the lessons and to everyone who turned up on such a rainy evening.

All are welcome at St. Mary’s.

St Issells Church, Saundersfoot

Our sheep and angels have got out and we need your help to find them! If you find them in one of the shops in and around Saundersfoot please return them to us at the Crib Service on Christmas Eve at 3pm.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES:

Christmas Eve, 3pm - Family Crib Service

Christmas Eve, 9pm - First Communion of Christmas

Christmas Day - No service at St Issells

9am - Christmas Morning, St Elidyr’s Amroth

10.30am - Christmas Morning, St Elidyr’s, Ludchurch

Saundersfoot Methodist Church

Rev’d Hugh-John Wilson conducted the carol service at Saundersfoot Methodist church last Sunday, several members read passages of scripture and favourite carols were sung, with members enjoying coffee and mincepies before the service.

The next service will be at 2.30pm on Christmas eve, when there will be a Christingle service together with holy Communion led by Rev’d Lorette Hinson. A warm welcome is extended to everyone. There will be no service on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, the next service at Saundersfoot will be on January 8.

Hebron Baptist Church

King David’s greater son was expected to be a great leader who would rescue and rule over the oppressed nation.

God had given insights to his plan.

‘A child is born, to us a son is given…he will govern and be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom with justice and righteousness forever (Isaiah 9:6,7).

‘But Bethlehem, out of you will come one who will be ruler over Israel. He will shepherd his flock in the name of the Lord, his greatness will reach the ends of the earth’ (Micah 5:2,4,5).

Many people looked forward to the promised Messiah, but the Israelites never expected the promised One to be so humble and lowly.

Consider God’s plan of salvation for the world made thousands of years ago at Creation. The events surrounding the Lord’s birth are recorded in the opening chapters of Matthew’s and Luke’s gospels. They seem fraught with problems and near disaster, yet the Lord God knew what the situation, reaction, and response of those involved would be.

God will accept us as just as we are. If we wait until what we consider to be the right time or until we are perfect or faultless, we will never come. Come like the shepherds, just as you are now.

Unwrap Christmas and be blessed.

The members of Hebron wish you a joyous Christmas.

Visit www.hebronbaptistsaundersfoot.org or call 01834 811697 for enquiries.

Holyrood and St Teilo’s Catholic Church, Tenby

In Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew: 18-24) we hear about the angel’s message to Joseph about Jesus’ conception. He is told not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife because the child with whom she is pregnant is from the Spirit of God. Joseph is not the father.

Mary and Joseph were betrothed, not yet married, a legally binding relationship lasting for one year. During this period the couple lived apart and had no sexual relations.

We can imagine the feelings of Mary. How was she to explain that she was pregnant by the power of God? Who would believe such a story? But Joseph was not an ordinary person. He was a “righteous” man; he must have seen Mary as more than an ordinary person too and he determined to ‘put her away quietly’.

Then the angel appears to him, telling him to go through with the marriage. The child has been conceived by the power of God`s Spirit. No other man is involved. As a descendant of David, Joseph will become the legal father of Jesus the Messiah who will be called later in the Gospel, “Son of David”.

Jesus is ‘God with us’ especially in the Eucharist; the effectiveness of that presence depends on our conscious union with Jesus and his Gospel lived out in our daily lives. Let Jesus be really re-born in each one of us this Christmas.

Masses from St Teilo’s, including the Christmas Masses, and Parish events, can be viewed online from the parish website www.stteilostenby.co.uk. and in the Parish Newsletter. Tel. 01834 84269.

St Johns Church, Tenby

Minister in training Mrs Kate Wolsey arranged the Nativity play and service last Sunday at St Johns. Ann and Marilyn lit the fourth candle on the Advent ring with prayers. Mollie played for all the Carols. Peter narrated the well-known amazing story of the birth of God’s only Son, Jesus. with the young people Rhys, Jessica, Megan, Ffion, William, Ben, Maria, and Samantha, playing the main characters, with Stella, John, Ian, Rachel, Carol, and Sue taking the supporting roles.

Concentrating on the words of Gabriel who, when speaking to Mary, announced that she was to give birth to the Saviour of the world, said “Do not be afraid” and again when speaking to the humble and frightened shepherds, to go and see for themselves this little, innocent, vulnerable baby who would change the lives of all who will choose to get to know Him, said “Do not be afraid.”

And the message is to us today that we also need not to be “afraid” of the tragic news of wars and disaster, not to be “afraid” of the cost of our fuel and foods, not to be “afraid” of our future personal problems, not to be “afraid” of the climate changing. But to turn to Christ, realise the meaning of his life and death, pray to God, to “use” each one of us, to make the small differences that we can make, which will help to combat all these problems and disasters made by man.

The Festival of Christmas trees has been enjoyed by many people again this year and is open all day, today Friday, and again tomorrow Christmas Eve, when at 4pm the Christingle service will start, and everyone is always welcome to this really popular lovely annual event at St Johns. On Sunday, Christmas day, the morning worship including communion will begin at 10am. Next week, Wednesday’s coffee morning from 10am to 12 noon when there’s another opportunity to see the trees and chat about our Christmas celebrations together. All at St Johns send Christmas love to everyone.

Hello Sunday!

Grace Saundersfoot is taking a break over the holiday period but Hello Sunday will restart in the New Year on Sunday, January 8, at Regency Hall Saundersfoot. A fresh expression of church. Breakfast from 10am. Community, music, friendship and support. Bring your friends… and the kids…

Regency Rompers, our Baby and Toddler group, will meet again after the holidays at 9.30am on Monday, January 16. A chance for parents, grandparents and carers to bring their little ones to play in a safe, caring environment whilst chatting with others over a cup of coffee.

For more information email; [email protected]

Molleston Baptist Chapel

The service on Sunday last was conducted by Rev’d Jenny Gough of Bethlehem, Spittal. During the service a beautiful solo was given by six-year-old Rhiannon Holland with Mrs Sylvia Watkins as organist.

The service on Christmas Day will be at 9.30am and will be a joint service with members of Bethel Baptist Church, Loveston and will be conducted by Mrs Christine Phillips of Bethel, Loveston.

A warm welcome is extended to everyone wishing to join us on our Christmas Day service.

New Life Church

Message by Garry Emlyn: Sometimes the best thing on TV is the off button!

They tell us Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, more like most expensive! We tip the refuse collectors and post persons, buy gifts for family and friends, even the dog!

We warn children not to take from strangers, but then we say a stranger is coming in with gifts, it’s fear keeping the kids awake! Is he DBS checked, is Santa’s slay taxed; with all the brandy, is he drunk?!

Joking aside, the media tells us to spend, when the bills come in, it’s not funny.

If you strip this back, to the simple Christmas, we see its true meaning. We have been given a gift, for free, Jesus, God’s Son. Jesus is the absolute reason for the season!

Christ had 3 presents, gold for a King, frankincense representing His deity, and myrrh, an anointing/embalming oil.

Amidst the madness of Christmas take some time alone, switch off the TV and think of the gift God’s given. Reflect on God’s love and God’s greatest ever gift for you this Christmas, Jesus.

May you know the love of God and His Peace throughout the season starting today.

New Life Church meets at Amroth Parish Hall, Summer hill, no meetings December 25 or January 1, resuming January 8. Contact: 07765935475 Visit: newlifechurchpembs.com Find us on Facebook

Bethesda Chapel, Narberth What’s On

Saturday, December 24, 5.30pm to 6.30pm – Special Christmas Eve Carol Service in the Sanctuary.

Sunday, December 25, 10am to 11am – Christmas Morning in the Sanctuary with full organ and rose window, followed by refreshments in the Schoolroom.

Tuesday, 1.30pm to 4pm – Listening Post, share and listen, make new friends, all welcome in the Schoolroom.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” 2 Corinthians 8.15

Benefice with St Andrew’s Church, Narberth

SERVICES:

Monday, December 19 at 6pm – A Reflective Advent Service with Silence, Music and Evening Prayer followed by mulled wine and festive food will be held at Seamus’ House, 16 Redstone Court, Narberth.

Saturday December 24th, Christmas Eve,

2pm – Children’s Carol Service at St Womar’s Church, Minwear;

6pm – First Eucharist of Christmas at St John’s Church, Templeton;

9pm – First Eucharist of Christmas at St Andrew’s, Narberth.

‘Benefice of Narberth’ facebook page has been revitalised by Reverend Seamus and gives information on events and services in the Churches.

Contacts: Rev’d Martin Cox (Rector and Local ministry Area Dean), tel. 01834 861192, [email protected] ;

Rev’d Seamus Hargrave, 01834 860611, [email protected]