It's another exciting time of the year. It's Christmas, and my kids are already asking what we are planning to do.

Christmas jumpers, gifts, outings, the list is endless as to what we can do, I replied.

But wait a minute, can you tell me why we celebrate Christmas? The conversation around the word Christmas goes on and on... I was keen to seize every moment to tell these kids what Christmas really means.

So why do you celebrate Christmas and what does it mean to you? Christmas season isn't just the time to exchange gifts, party and spend time together as a family. Although these things are good, it goes beyond all that.

It is the time Jesus, our Saviour, came in human form to reveal himself to us. It is the time the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John ch. 1, v 14). The birth of Jesus which took place thousands of years ago is commemorated worldwide during Christmas. In Matthew, chapter 1 verse 18, the Church's creed affirms that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. The immaculate conception of Jesus, though strange, was prophesied in Isaiah chapter 7 verse 14. This manner of birth, no doubt, points to the divinity of Jesus.

So why all this preaching about Christmas you may ask? Christmas will be totally unprofitable and useless until His purpose of coming into the world is accomplished in your own life. True wisdom begins when one pauses from all the merriment around Christmas to seek the real reason for celebration and what it means to every individual. What is your personal response to God's gift of Christmas? If God were to send his son to be born an infant, would He choose your womb, as a single lady, to incubate Him? Would He trust you, as a man, to foster His Son?

Answer these questions truly, taking a sincere look into your life and making amends where necessary. God knows us, how fit or unfit we are to fit into His plan. When Jesus saves us from our sins, He makes us fit for His use.

Merry Christmas,
Dozie


Mayor of St Helens Janet Johnson was among the congregation of St John's who gathered on October 20 to celebrate 150 years of the church.

She was joined by her husband, former councillor Anthony; along with Thatto Heath councillor Nova Charlton and and West Park councillor Marlene Quinn.

The Mayor was guest of honour at the service at which Bishop Geoff Pearson preached, joined by our own vicar Rev Dozie Moneme and former vicar, Rev Roy Doran.

During the service a tree was planted to mark the anniversary - December 27.

The tree is a Scarlet Oak and was planted beside a plaque inscribed with the passage: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

After the service members enjoyed a hotpot lunch in the church hall.


John Ingham has celebrated his own anniversary this year, after being a member of St John's for 30 years.

Father-of-two John says he is delighted to be involved with the church, especially in its anniversary year, and longs to see it 'grow in faith, worship and discipleship' as well as, of course, numbers!

John, who also has three grandchildren, admits: "I first came to church with my wife to support her - and earn Brownie points."

But he says: "Following a death in the family I realised that I needed the Lord's support in my life.

"I've always worshipped at St John's since becoming a Christian because it is my local church, and a friendly church.

"I am a PCC member and church warden, and I was a member of the former Jubilate worship group.

"I believe I have a strong faith and it is encouraged by involvement in Bible study and other activities in church."


For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God's truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold...

Until the age of two my kids ate any food I gave them. I was so delighted they weren't fussy eaters I went out of my way to make healthy meals, mixing vegetables, vitamins, carbohydrates and protein. But... when they reached three they became aware some foods were sweeter and you can guess what happened next; soon it was a battle to encourage them to do otherwise and they were more prone to infections than when healthy diets were the norm.

As I pondered on this sudden change the holy spirit reminded me that most Christians are similar in their attitude towards spiritual food. They cherry pick scriptures they like and discard whatever appears challenging. They prefer God's promises to his warnings, and pastors who encourage their sinful lifestyle to those who preach God's truth, as Paul warned in the scripture above.

Maybe when you first became a Christian you accepted any truth from the Bible without argument but, as the years rolled by, you began to question the word of God. Can a loving God send sinners to Hell? Is God unfaithful because life didn't turn out the way you expected. Today may be a good time to pause and reflect where you are or what you really believe. God's word may sometimes be hard to embrace because we don't understand everything now. God understands this struggle and is happy to walk with you through your doubts back to faith.

As Timothy was encouraged to embrace truth so he wouldn't fall prey to the deceit of the enemy, let us examine our spiritual diet. Are you cherry picking only what is palatable and leaving the challenging word? Only a healthy diet guarantees good health.


Gareth Davies-Jones is performing at St John's this month with his Christmas Acoustic Tour, The Darkest Night in December.

It's his annual tour with which he aims to bring 'a wee bit of space and time to reflect and connect with songs of Advent and Christmas'.

We decided to find out a little more about Gareth, who is married with three children, ahead of his arrival...

How long have you been performing professionally?

"I've played fiddle from the age of eight, and I lifted a guitar for the first time when I was 15. I was in and out of bands in my late teens and twenties; and have been a professional musician since 2004 - some 15 years. I thought I'd maybe get a year at it...but I'm still going!"

How would you describe you/your music?

"Singer-songwriter, story-filled acoustic troubadour style."

Describe your faith:

"Wavering from the mountain top to the valley low and everything in between. I struggle on and I'm grateful for those helping me along the way."

How does your faith influence your music?

"I don't think there's any area of life that my faith doesn't impact. In that way - whether I'm writing about landscape, history, art, people, Easter or Christmas - it's all riven with a worldview that leans on the eternal."

You have performed in larger venues, how does playing in a church differ?

"I haven't played that many really large venues - one or two in my time like the Brighton arena or The Sage in Gateshead perhaps - but churches are a joy to play in. The acoustic space lends itself perfectly for what I do as a solo singer-songwriter. Also I prefer venues where the intimacy of the performance is well conveyed."

What can we look forward to with your Christmas tour?

"The chance to step back from the rush and focus on what these great songs are actually telling us about the wonder and mystery of the Christmas story."

Finally - how will you be spending Christmas this year?

"At home in Northumberland with my family."

Gareth will be playing at St John's on Wednesday, December 11 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £3 from Paul Henry.

For a sneak preview of Gareth and his music, visit: www.garethdavies-jones.com


We have a passion to reach our community with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and so, for the last three years, we have gone out as a team into the community every Saturday morning to evangelise. We share gospel tracts, pray with people and engage in discussions about our Saviour.

Obviously, we meet challenges. Some people reject God's word, slamming the door in front of us and saying they have nothing to do with the things of God. Sometimes the outcome is discouraging, but we know we're not alone.

From these encounters, we can see the true spiritual state of our nation. Even though we claim to have freedom to share our faith, we are in the same bondage as other countries where there is restriction in sharing the gospel. Every week as I glance through the local newspaper my heart bleeds at all that happens in our community. There is more sadness than goodness.

When light goes off in the night, we search desperately for an alternative source and we don't rest until it is found. We need to seek the light of the world which is Jesus Christ.

Our nation is in real spiritual darkness and needs help. The alarming rate of evil, terrorism, sickness and disease calls for urgency in telling those groping around in darkness about the source of true light. If we all sought Christ with this urgency, salvation would be real in our world today.

We often don't appreciate the importance of light until it's not there. Wake up in prayer and join the team to bring light to our community. Ravenhead desperately needs it

Rev Dozie Moneme


It is 10 years since former St John's member Mary Ellison suffered life - threatening injuries when she -along with husband Denis -was knocked off her bicycle by a lorry.

Mary believes she's here today because of a one-in-a-million chance - and because of her Lord:

"When I came out of hospital five months later I had a decision to make: whether to sit in a wheelchair and watch the world go by, or get on with my life.

It was a miracle I had one. It was only due to the kindness and commitment of a surgeon who, in the hospital on his day off, persuaded the medical team to try 'one last thing' that I'm here now. And, of course, the Lord who, as a Christian, I believe brought me through for a reason. In hospital I had many bad dreams, but I had a really good one when I dreamt that some friends in my church were praying for someone.

I was upset when they got together and said 'we've got to pray for her', because they hadn't asked me to join in. But it's obvious now why they didn't, because they were praying for me! To be here, in whatever capacity, is better than not being here at all.

I am loved and I have love to give and still so much to be grateful for. People say I'm an inspiration. I say that with a positive outlook and with faith, you can overcome anything."