Carols at Christmas

Tonight saw a Christmas Carol Service (yes, actually in the Christmas season!) take place at St Teresa's Church. The service was beautiful and along with the carols that were sung by all attending we also prayed for people in many countries around the world by offering hearts in front of the crib, listened to a short scripted drama about the Nativity by some of our young people and even a poet of the parish reciting one of her own poems for us all to enjoy.

Once this was done there was of course plenty of fun (and food!) to be had in the St Teresa's parish centre and it was so nice to celebrate this beautiful season in such a wonderful way.

Christ is Born

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:1-14

The preparations are over...

The time to wait has ended...

Let us enjoy the birth of our Saviour

The Light of Christ

A light shall shine upon us this day: for the Lord is born to us:

and He shall be called Wonderful, God, the Prince of Peace, the

Father of the world to come: of whose reign there shall be no end.

St Cuthbert's Youth Group Advent Service

Last night the St. Cuthbert's Youth Group held their Advent Service, following weeks of dedicated rehearsal. They invited the congregation to come together and weave a crib for Jesus as a way of symbolically welcoming him into our lives at Christmas. Another highlight was the dramatisation of the Annunciation which will stay in the memory for quite a while. Afterwards everyone went for a sing song and Christmas quiz in the parish centre next door with, of course, mince pies and mulled wine. All in all a great way to prepare for Christmas.

Putting the Hart into Hartlepool for Christmas

No, it's not Rudolph but the latest addition to the St. Cuthbert's Living Water Garden!

Made by famous sculptor Steve Blaylock, the hart joins the pelican, dove and tree that are already in the garden to help people pray and reflect on God's creation.

Everyone who's seen him loves him, with or without a shiny red nose!

Decorating St Marys Church

Tonight a few of our young people decorated St Marys Church on the Headland in preparation for the Mass and Carol Service on Christmas eve. It's such an old and atmospheric church but we're happy to report that the great big Christmas tree and fairy lights at the back most definitely did NOT look out of place at all! Thanks to everyone who helped to organise the decorating!