This past weekend was a big one for the Redeemer community: We hosted our Carol Service and were so encouraged to have 104 people join for the afternoon. Here's a simply summary and a catchup on the last few weeks.
CAROLS AT REDEEMER
For our American readership: the Carol Service is the big Christmas event for church communities. We sang carols, the kids sang 'Away in a Manger', Thomas gave a Bible Talk, and we had a reception with mulled wine and mince pies. It was a really great time connecting with Jesus the Queen's Park this Christmas season. Thank you for your prayers and continued support!
THE PAST FEW WEEKS
We had a really enjoyable visit with Thomas' parents for two weeks in November. We were able to make some sweet memories like going to see Mary Poppins in the West End and went out to the Cotswolds for a few days around Thanksgiving. We love the support of our families and especially their visits to us to take care of us.
Thomas posted this tribute to his parents on Instagram and we wanted to repost it here as well...
6.5 years ago my dad joined me on a research trip into the archives of Lesslie Newbigin in Birmingham. After the research, Elizabeth and my mom met us in London for a few days of vacation. Sunday night we went to Hillsong and afterwards Elizabeth and I were talking about how much we liked being in London. My dad looked at us and said maybe we should move here for ministry one day.
Six weeks later my dad called to tell me we should consider moving to a place like London to start a new church and that they’d support us if we did.
It’s impossible to estimate the reach of the words we say to one another. Even writing this makes me shudder at how reckless and unintentional I can be in the things I say. More than words, it’s the obedience to speak where the Spirit leads. For us, it’s growing in ability to hear, trust, and obey the voice of Jesus as spoken through His Spirit.
Fast forward a few years and here we are. Living in the reality of those encouragements from my parents. I am so thankful for my loving and supportive parents. Both mom and dad willing to call out and encourage - even though it means living further apart and not closer together. Elizabeth’s too, we are blessed by parents who love and support us.
It was a huge blessing to have my parents in town for the last two weeks. To go around and make some sweet memories of course but to walk in the fulfilment of prayers and hopes is sacred.
My mom and dad are loving and generous and I want to be more like them.
WHAT ELSE?
Perry and Shepherd finish up the term on Friday and we're looking forward to some slow-down-time together. We hoped to get out of London for some sort of Christmas trip but Omicron is getting around in a big way and the government continues to step up the concern and corresponding restrictions. So, we might be limited to the UK or even to London - looks like an update is breaking on Friday or Saturday of this week. Would you say a prayer for us and the Redeemer community? While you're at it, a prayer for the people of London as well?
