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On Sunday we celebrated the coming of Christ with Christmas carols, poetry, story telling and thoughts on HOPE.  It was lovely to see so many visitors and family members!  Thank you all for coming and joining us this year, and for generously giving to the work of Tearfund.

City Gate Church would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Last Saturday we had a fabulous evening of worship at …Stepping Beyond! with friends Tim & Ann O’Hare, City Gaters, visitors and Movement in Worship Collective! Here are some photos from the evening…

Our next …Stepping Beyond Worship night is on November 18th, 7.00-9.30pm at Brighthelm Community Centre, North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD

Come and join us, ready to worship – everyone is welcome!

This Sunday 17th September, we celebrated Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) also known as Yom Terua (Feast of Blowing Trumpets).

We learnt about the history, traditions and prophetic significance of the Feast of Trumpets, around a feast table (of course). From the story of Abraham and Isaac, to Jesus as the sacrificail lamb we remembered, enacted, gave thanks, blew trumpets and feasted on apples and sweet honey!

Thank you Katrina Quinn for capturing ‘The Feast of Trumpets, Brighton Style!”.

It seems trumpets are only the icing on top
Of a day that runs deep and rich and sweet
Meanings layered like the apple slices on the table in the centre
Shana Tov! Happy (Jewish) New Year!
God said “set aside a day to remember that time I told you you were my own special treasure”
Five boys run to the front, volunteering to light four candles
The fourth is blown out to allow the smallest one a turn
This is a day to rest, reflect
Sing of the beauty of creation, the Creator
Becky tells a story with firewood and knife
of a sacrifice, atonement
A story – foreshadowing a world-changing tale
Look back, look forward
We remove shoes and walk silent through the waters, conscience cleansing
Ruben makes a dive for the gap in the blue sheets draped over tables
We don white paper robes in varying sizes, cut out by Jean
This is not a people who do things by halves
Love is our judge, we are covered
Hannah mutters that she’s way out of her comfort zone
Cackle and crackle as we take our seats again
Then, at last, a call to gather around the table
From which homemade treats have filled our nostrils and tempted our tongues all morning
Honey drizzled over warm cinnamon roll
Pomegranate sprinkled over golden cakes
Trumpet shaped biscuits – a “labour of love by Leanne and Carmella last night”
Taste and see that HE is good
The paper robes catch our crumbs
The kids’ handmade “trumpets” screech wild
Finn parades his trombone
Robbie pounds his familiar rhythm on the djembe next to me
Wake up and remember
Look back and look forward
We shout-sing hymns out of tune
Tears of laughter rolling down cheeks
At the madness and mayhem of our family
I’m aware of the people visiting for the first time
It’s not always like this…
We murmur prayers for the dear-ones we carry in aching chests
Tears of longing rolling down cheeks
Look back and look forward
The Feast of Trumpets
Waiting for final reconciliation call
Waiting for that day
When the waiting will end

NEWS UPDATE!

The last 3 weekends at Barcombe Nurseries have been a great success! £832.33 was raised for Fareshare and nearly all the cakes were sold, with a good run of visitors at Barcombe Nurseries.  Thank you to everyone who made cakes and gave generously – they were delicious and creative!