Esther continues our new series "Lessons From Luke" by looking at the Angel Gabriel visiting Mary in Luke 1:26-45 to see what we can learn from Mary's response to the news that she is given.

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Esther starts a new series called "Lessons From Luke" and looks at what we can learn from chapter 1, where we find the introduction to the book plus the story of the Angel Gabriel appearing to Zechariah to foretell the birth of John to his wife Elizabeth.

See additional notes at https://kerithcommunitychurch-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/encounter_kerith_church/ET9Uz4rCr0RKlYeedVJreKgB-bYYR6yiFJ03XL3hDCcj0Q?e=hXdkyc

At the first Encounter meeting of 2024 Esther talks about the need to slow down and intentionally make space for God in the midst of all that's going on around us. She expands upon the following acronym:
S - Stop
P - Pray
A - Align and Act
C - Connect and Cultivate
E - Expect

See additional notes at https://kerithcommunitychurch-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/encounter_kerith_church/EXY4JpoGIThBrowxDxf1GXIB-8WkDQ9DH518THtt8lKRZQ?e=2jtThn

Our last meeting of the term and of 2023 is our Christmas Celebration. We have a video, a poem, 2 couple of readings and several carols including a BSL signed version of Silent Night, plus Esther speaks on the subject "The Greatest Gift Of All".

Here is the outline of the meeting:

• Welcome - Glynis
• Carol - 0 Come All Ye Faithful
• Carol - Joy To The World
• Formal Prayer & Welcome - Esther
• Reading - Matthew 1:18-25 - Tony
• Reading - Medley of Verses - Liz
• Carol - 0 Holy Night
• Poem - The Greatest Gift Of All - Iris
• Carol - O Little Town Of Bethlehem
• Video - "Christmas Presents"
• Talk - "The Greatest Gift Of All" - Esther
• Prayer - Esther
• Video - BSL version of Silent Night
• Carol - Hark The Herald Angels Sing
• Closing Prayer - Esther

See additional notes at https://kerithcommunitychurch-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/encounter_kerith_church/Ed7KQ2mLtttHscdRQcsNP4kBSxhuIxUKHCLXBUBlcop9NA?e=Zmbh0k

This week at Encounter we look at the work of FoodBank, and in particular the Bracknell FoodBank. For privacy reasons we have decided to remove the testimonies from various people regarding their work there and how clients have been helped. However the podcast still contains a lot of information about the work that is being done and the various ways that we can get involved to help.

See additional notes at https://kerithcommunitychurch-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/encounter_kerith_church/EcKHACbxR2ROhxdl3xHupBUBYkXlqzqw2zKtTqWL2edO6g?e=Chnuax

Having watched the 1st half of Louie Giglio's video "Winning the Battle of the Mind" last week in Esther's absence, this week we watch the 2nd half from time 23:19. It can be found on YouTube at https://youtu.be/p_hJw7w2Yso.
Louie gives 3 ways that we can take our thoughts captive and expands on each of them in turn in order to encourage people to live in the victory that Jesus has won for us.

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Since Esther was in San Francisco, we listened to the first part (from time 3.04 to 23.19) of a video by Louie Giglio called "Winning the Battle of the Mind", which can be found at https://youtu.be/p_hJw7w2Yso.
Starting with the devil's temptation of Eve in Genesis 3, he asks what thoughts have you allowed to raise doubt in your mind. Then he reminds us that Jesus has already won the battle and has established a beachhead called Victory to enable us to tear down the strongholds that the devil has tried to establish in our minds.

See additional notes at https://kerithcommunitychurch-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/encounter_kerith_church/EVsO-IsWoxdLkkbq_HcOHqoBctig1tYWBj2zXsO0dwt0UQ?e=a02Imp

Our guest speaker at our special remembrance meeting is Michael Bentley. He speaks from Deuteronomy 8:1-9 on the subject "Do Not Forget". He recalls many memories from his past and encourages a few others to share memories as well. Then he reminds us of God's goodness to us and that He will never leave us or forsake us.

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Our guest speakers today are Barbara and Peter Knight, who have been members of Kerith Community Church for many years and attend Encounter regularly. Barbara shares the story of how God has been with them through the trying times that they have experienced in the last couple of years due to Peter's ill health.

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Our guest speaker is Tess Osunkoya, who has been a member of Kerith for many years. She speaks from Ruth 1:1-22 on the subject "Giving God Our Mess".
Although Naomi returned to Bethlehem with Ruth feeling that God had dealt bitterly with her, the rest of the book sees God redeeming the situation. Tess looks at 5 ways that Naomi & Ruth gave their mess to God and encourages us to do the same.
See additional notes at https://kerithcommunitychurch-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/encounter_kerith_church/ESFnGFf3hVRGgP1JBUZN71gBT0sASYG8GJrpWQYLdrHVTg?e=xRpJMJ