Warm Christmas Greetings , as you sing the Carols & enjoy the decorations , may you know the blessings of the Lord at this special time of year!!

""Christmas comes but once a year," and we all respond differently to its arrival. Our experiences range from excitement and joy to anxiety and pressure! ( p.s. Have you done all your Christmas cards yet!)

Those involved in the events of the first Christmas also reacted in different ways to what was occurring.
MARY - Was visited by an angel and " ...was greatly troubled at his words." JOSEPH - Found his wife to be was pregnant and the child was not his!! He didn't know what to do!
THE SHEPHERDS - Where going about their business when suddenly they had - A CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE ANGELIC KIND!!
TODAY - Many wonder what will happen next - MORE FLOODS, STORMS , TRANSPORT DISASTERS , ECONOMIC WORRIES , FAMILY CONCERNS?
Our local paper carried a public survey recently on personal beliefs. On five questions we would ask God, our local response in Epping and Coopersale was 58% wanted to know why there was so much suffering in the world and 12% asked why doesn't God show himself so everyone believed.

To those unsure of what the events in Bethlehem meant came the words - DO NOT BE AFRAID! I bring you tidings of great Joy to you and all peoples. TO A TROUBLED WORLD GOD'S ANSWER TO SUFFERING WAS TO SHOW HIMSELF - BY SENDING JESUS!

Members of EFC aim to know Gods love and share Gods Love , by Word , Carol & Action .
May your experience this Christmas be one of joy and peace 
Warm Christmas Greetings from myself and the family.

MIRACLES - 
Miracles are all around us if we look. My wife Jane , and the three other local midwives in the Church here , weekly are involved in one of the greatest miracles , as new life comes into the world. At Christmas ,as one of the longest serving ministers in town , I am still thrilled to be able to share with young and old the greatest miracle which began that first Christmas in Bethlehem.