The countdown is on! With just over two weeks to go, excitement is building for our Christchurch Christmas Market, and we can’t wait to welcome you for a festive morning filled with unique gifts, handmade treasures and delicious food!

Join us on Saturday 28th November, from 10.30am until 1.30pm, at Christchurch for a wonderful opportunity to support local businesses and get ahead with your Christmas shopping.

We have an amazing selection of local businesses, talented crafters and organisations joining us, offering something for every taste and budget:

Here's who's joining us:

LouBel and Haleys House of Scent - Wax melts, candles and reed diffusers
Tula home & gifts - Homeware. Gifts. Jewellery. Art
Cut Glass Gallery - Fused glass gifts
Casnewydd Crafts - Slate gifts, painted gifts and felt handmade gifts
Chutney Corner - Jams and chutneys
Crochet Creations - Crochet items
Tallawang Honey - Honey bee products and produce
Carynda Cottages - Individual wooden cottages, seasonal themed and nautical
Fizzy Redds Handcrafted - Turned wood table lights, candle holders, bowls, plates, toadstools and resin goods.
Deb’s Doughs - Gingerbread houses and cookies
Forever Living Products - Aloe Vera and Bee based products. Health and Wellness/Skincare for all the family.
26th Newport Scouts - Scout made crafts and artwork.
Plushie Pals - Crochet plushies, handmade by Esther Brind
Helsquebags - Bags and baskets, book covers, stationery, homeware, Christmas decorations and more!
By Still Waters - Christian Sea Glass Art
Rachels Resinss - Handmade Resin items
CC Art club - Art
Alfie Nick Foundation - Hoodies/water bottles/promo items

There's more to enjoy than just shopping!

The 26th Newport Scouts will be running a Scalextric layout where visitors can get involved in a fun, pay-per-go, five-lap time trial. Fancy putting your racing skills to the test? Come along, have a go and see how fast you can complete your five laps!

We have some delicious food options lined up too including a crepe van, a soup and toast van, and of course Brickworks will be serving up scrumptious food as always.

Bring your friends and family, enjoy a browse, grab a bite to eat and join us for a lovely start to our Christmas events.

See you there!

It's a double whammy this month! Welsh Blood will take over the church hall again next Wednesday 18th to turn it into a donation centre.

A number of afternoon slots are still available, so if you have a spare hour and fancy some free juice, chocolate biscuits and a lie down in the middle of the day, why not sign up!

Book your donation slot here!

Last week we had the privilege of formally dedicating and welcoming the latest additions to our Christchurch family!

If you missed it, or if you'd like to watch the family introductions back, you can do so below!

Please continue to pray for these parents and families as they seek to serve the Lord as a household.

Please return your shoeboxes this Sunday 8th November! You can drop them off at the admin desk during our Sunday gathering.

Want to get involved? It's not too late to grab a shoebox from the back of your wardrobe, cover it in bright wrapping paper and fill it with toys, crafts, school supplies and toiletries for a child who won't receive a gift this Christmas. Alternatively, you can pack a shoebox online with no need to pop to the shops!

You can find more information on the Samaritan's Purse website here.

On Sunday, we began our new series "The Family Business". Aptly, as we dedicated the newest additions to our Christchurch family, the first message was on parenting!

Lewis encouraged us that the greatest thing we can give our children as parents is not a perfect childhood, every opportunity or an error-free example. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are called to take that gospel to heart, live it out before our children and speak of it in the ordinary moments of everyday life. (Listen to the message here!) As Lewis finished this talk, he prayed for all of the parents in our congregation:

Father, we thank you that we come to the Holy, Almighty creator knowing that we have been adopted into your family through the blood of your son Jesus Christ.  You delight to call us your children, you delight to be called our Father.  How amazing. How staggering. Thank you.
 
Father, we come to you this morning to pray first for each parent in this room.  We pray for each parent in this local church.
 
We thank you for the parents who have dedicated their children here this morning.  Thank you for each child.  We pray, give each parent wisdom as they seek to show their children by their lives and their words what it means to know you, Lord Jesus, as their Lord and Saviour.  Let each parent be living examples of grace received and grace applied as they parent their children.
 
We make the same request for every parent as they nurture their children.  Let each home be overshadowed by your grace.  Let each child be awed by your grace working in their parents’ lives.  And we pray, let each child come to acknowledge Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.
 
Father, we are mindful that there will be people here today when we're talking of children and parenting who are finding this morning really really hard.  We know some may not be here because being here would just be too much for them to bear.  You know the pain of each one.  You know the depths of anguish each person feels.
 
Lord, as they weep, help us to weep with them.  We pray, Lord Jesus by the power of your Holy Spirit, be a comfort to each one.  Let them know your presence and embrace.  Please hear our prayer.
 
And you know that many of us have seen our children turn their backs on the gospel.  And Father, it hurts.  Deep within our souls it hurts that our children are not yet yours.
 
We know Lord that salvation is only by your effectual calling of people to yourself.  So we pray, Lord, call our prodigal children back to you.  Let each one of them come to see Jesus as their Saviour.  Give us your peace to know that no prodigal is beyond the power of your saving grace.
 
Lord, we thank you for grace.  We thank you that your grace saved each of us.  We were all dead in our trespasses and sin yet you called us and we have been saved by grace alone.  Each one of us is a demonstration of the power of the gospel.
 
So we declare with confidence that there is no one beyond your grace in our families wherever they are in the world.  
 
Lord let your kingdom come.  
 
Amen
 

The next opportunity to give blood is next Wednesday 11th November and there are still a number of spaces available.

Giving blood is simple and rewarding, and a single blood donation can save or improve up to three lives. If this is something you'd like to take part in but would like to find out more about what to expect, you can learn more here. 

Book your donation slot here!

So many opportunities to celebrate and support our wonderful Christchurch family and community this month!

We look forward to welcoming new members, baptising new believers and supporting small businesses within our church and those in our local community at the Christmas Market!

3rd: Doctrine of God Course
4th: Board Games Evening
6th: EPIC & Teens
9th: Prayer Meeting
10th: Doctrine of God Course
13th: Senior Teens
15th: New Members Sunday
17th: Doctrine of God Course
19th: Legacy
20th: EPIC & Teens
22nd: Baptism Sunday Service
23rd: Prayer Meeting
24th: Doctrine of God Course
27th: Senior Teens
28th: Christchurch Christmas Market

Our Light Party this year will take place on Friday 30th October, the day before Halloween.

Expect an evening of crafts, dancing, games and lots of fun, encouraging the children to celebrate light, hope and Jesus together!

If you would like to be part of our team of helpers for the Light Party, contact Lindsey at  lindsey@christchurchnewport.co.uk 

The reason for the earlier date is so that families have the opportunity to take part it Light the Night on Halloween. For many of us, our response to Halloween is to turn all the lights off and pretend we're not in. Perhaps this year we could see it as an opportunity to share hope with those who come and knock on our door!

Rather than sending our children out trick-or-treating, we’re encouraging them to give to others. (Don’t worry, they’ll still get plenty of sweets!) For example, we might:

- put lights around the drive
- have a sign in the window saying ‘Jesus is the Light’
- give out sweets, glow sticks and little gospel story bags
- make hot chocolate for tired parents!
- chatting to neighbours and simply being present!

Perhaps you could join other church families that live near you and decorate a driveway together!? Also, just a reminder that there’s no expectation to be involved. Every community and family is different and you know what would work best for your family.

Halloween is an opportunity to show our children and other families, whatever way we engage this year, that there is a better story. We have Jesus – the Light of the World. His death and resurrection are greater, stronger and brighter than anything that might make us scared.

The Christchurch Christmas Market is back, in a slightly different format! On November 28th from 10:30-1:30pm, we will be holding a festive market at the back of the church hall in collaboration with Brickworks Coffee. Come for a coffee, cake and plenty of time to browse!

There will be a variety of stalls to shop from with plenty of gifts that are perfect for Christmas! It's a few days after pay day for many of us, so make sure you set aside some of those precious pennies to support small businesses in Newport!

Have a neighbour or a friend at work that's really into board games? We have the perfect event for you to invite them along to!

On Wednesday 4th November from 7pm, Dave Seadon is hosting the next board games evening at Brickworks.

Expect a wide selection of strategy board games (as well as some more fast-paced options!), great coffee and the opportunity to get to know people in Newport who share you love for a board game.

We are so excited for our baby dedications and baptisms coming up in November!

To make these days special, we will be serving some food after the services and we need your help! If you would have some time before and after church on the 1st and/or the 22nd November to help us prepare and serve food, you would be such a blessing to the catering team and to our wider church family!

If you are able to help out on the 1st or 22nd, you can sign up here so we can connect you with the team! Thank you!

On Sunday, we were reminded of the God we pray to - that we have a big God, a powerful God, a significant God.

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬-‭4‬

Join us for prayer meeting on Monday 26th as we bring our prayers and petitions before an awesome God.

The Welsh Blood Service plays a vital role in giving thousands of people across Wales and the world a lifeline in their time of greatest need.

Welsh Blood are holding donation sessions at Christchurch on the 28th and 29th October with a number of slots still available.

Book your donation here! If you're feeling unsure about it but would like to find out more information, you can visit the Welsh Blood Service website.

Have you ever wondered about the Trinity? Does 3=1 and 1=3?

The Trinity is perhaps the most confounding doctrine of the Christian faith. As when stood at the foot of Mount Everest, we either tend to be so intimidated by it that we don’t even begin to climb up, or we’re so over confident that we misjudge the difficulty of the climb and misconstrue the Trinity in dangerous ways. But there’s a better way!

Over five consecutive Tuesday evenings starting on the 3rd November, we will begin ascending the mountain of the doctrine of the Trinity! We will start our journey in the biblical texts to see how the Triunity of God is revealed in Scripture and learn about the early development of this doctrine. This will be part one of a two or three-part undertaking in studying the doctrine of the Trinity.

We’d love to have you join us, no matter how much you know or don’t know. Our goal will be together to take in the view and delight in the glory of the triune God.

Sign up here!

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate Jesus' love in a tangible way to children across the globe, by filling shoeboxes with toys, personal care items, school supplies, and fun gifts. Through this ministry, Samaritan’s Purse partners with local churches to share these shoeboxes, and even more importantly, share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of all nations!

From this Sunday onwards, you can collect boxes at the admin desk to fill with gifts for a child that won't be expecting to receive any presents this year. You can also decorate your own medium to large sized shoeboxes with wrapping paper instead!

More information about what to pack in the shoebox and how to label it correctly can be found here!  

You can also pack a shoebox online or pay for a pre-packed shoebox instead, if you'd really like to be involved but are unable to get to the shops yourself.

The final date to drop off your boxes at church is Sunday 8th November. We will then take them to a place where they are dispatched all over the world to bring joy and light to children in need this year.

"It is more blessed to give than to receive" - Acts 20:35

Several members of our Christchurch family are involved with the wonderful work of Eden Gate.

Recently, Operasonic have been partnering with Eden Gate to deliver workshops for guests to learn the art of songwriting. Through the workshops run by professional musicians Eoghan Walsh and David McSparron, a very talented group of budding musicians have composed some excellent music which was professionally recorded earlier this year.

Eden Gate are thrilled to present the debut performance of these songs at the Corn Exchange in Newport City Centre on the 2nd November from 6-7pm.

God has given us all such unique giftings and skills which we get to use as an act of worship to the Creator. We hope some of our Christchurch family will be able to join us, to celebrate the talents God has given this group of songwriters, on what is set to be a great evening with lots of new music to enjoy.

As we listen to their new music, we are reminded of the new song in our mouth as believers, the old has gone and the new has come – Alleluia! Your love has lifted me!

There are just a few tickets left! Reserve your spot here!

Every month, members of our church and the wider community who are 65+ come together for a meal, a presentation and great conversation with friends.

We are so blessed by the wisdom of the older adults in our church so would you pray for them as they meet together this Thursday? That they would be built up together, that their conversation would be seasoned with salt, and they would be the pleasing aroma of Christ to unbelievers that attend Legacy every month.

Do you love to sing?

For centuries, choirs have been a wonderful means of praising God and finding community. Alongside special occasions like Christmas and Easter, two or three times a year our choir will help lead our Sunday worship.

If you’re interested in coming along to the next practice or would like more information about our choir, you can get in touch here and we'd love to connect you with fellow singers!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1


Join us for our semi-monthly prayer meeting as we give praise to our God who is always good even when life feels difficult.

Whether this is your 50th prayer meeting or your first, we'd love you to be with us as we gather as a family to thank the Lord for all he has done, and bring our requests before him with boldness, knowing he is good.

OCTOBER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

It may not feel like autumn but it really is October already!!

This month is full of Bible studies and courses exploring Christianity, our regular prayer meetings and another great money coaching course run by Linda and Tiff!

6th: New Life in Christ
7th: Board Games Evening
12th: CAP Money Coaching
12th: Prayer Meeting
13th: Joshua Bible Study
13th: New Life in Christ  
15th: Legacy
19th: CAP Money Coaching
20th: Joshua Bible Study
20th: New Life in Christ
26th: Prayer Meeting

Need some extra help managing your money? Come and join us for CAP Money Coaching!

Running across two weeks on Monday 12th and 19th October from 7pm-9pm at Christchurch.

We'll cover:
- How to build and balance a household budget
- Learn how to structure your finances using a system proven to work
- Find ways to save more and get the most out of your spare cash
- Learn how to use credit wisely and navigate unmanageable debt
- Explore the difference between essential and optional expenses and find ways to realistically cut costs
- Unlimited access to a mobile-friendly budget worksheet

Sign up to join here- we'd love to see you there!

A reminder that applications for the Christchurch & Union Training Programme close on Friday 30th October!

This programme aims to help prospective future church leaders be equipped to love, serve and lead within the local church.

If you would be interested in a Christchurch-based residency combining hands-on ministry experience with in-depth theological training through Union School of Theology you can apply here!

In November, we are so excited to hold our next baptism service!

It is always such a joyful time for us to witness new believers publicly declare their love and devotion to Jesus.

Maybe you’ve heard of baptism before but don’t really understand what it is, Lewis unpacks this topic on the We Are Christchurch podcast. Listen here!

If you would like to be baptised, you can get in touch via the link here!

As the days get shorter and gloomier, what sounds more appealing than an evening board games night?

We host the games at our Brickworks Coffee shop with great coffee and bakes available. Whatever your age, gender or knowledge of board games, we would love you to join us!

Our next event is Wednesday 7th October from 7pm.

If you’re game for a good time, we’ll see you there!

Callout for any old Christchurch kids t-shirts!

Whether you have a grey young volunteers shirt or a regular red shirt hanging in the back of wardrobe, if you’re not using them anymore, would you please return them on a Sunday to the admin desk?

Thank you!