We’ve just come back from a fantastic Church weekend away at Dalesdown in the Sussex Downs. We were blessed with great weather and it was a wonderful time together with lots of fun, food, rest and play!
Whilst we missed those who couldn’t be there from City Gate this year, it was lovely to see many new faces.
Thank you everyone for making this weekend a special one.
Looking forward to 2018 already!
Throughout the week of 9th-16th April City Gate Church re-enacted the events of Easter.
On Palm Sunday people cycled in convoy from the Rose Garden at Preston Park to Brighthelm, where they were recieved by the waving of branches!
On Maundy Thursday family groups were invited to hold a passover / last supper in their homes… washing each other’s feet, discussing ‘who is the greatest?’ eating great food and having a time of fellowship. Everyone then gathered at Hollingbury F…ort in the evening (AKA garden of Gethsemane) for contemplative prayer, followed by… the striking off of the high priest’s servants ear, and a live arrest of Jesus!
On Good Friday, we gathered at the secret walled garden next to Preston Manor… where Peter denied Jesus on trial, before the crucifixion. Taize worship and prayer followed at The Dip with the eating of ‘Ravens’ hot cross buns!
The week’s events finished with Easter Sunday, a celebration of JOY and thanksgiving – with singing, drumming, dancing and an Easter egg hunt… Jesus is alive!!
This Sunday we got together to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Purim, with visiting speaker Richard Harvey from ‘Jews for Jesus’. We enjoyed dressing up as FUN, joyful characters with a great turn out of weird and wacky costumes – with PRIZES going to Jean and Rueben!
Johnie and Becky led us in an impromptu performance of the play of Esther with great comedic effect from City Gate volunteers. There was much ‘booing’ of Haman and ‘cheering’ of Mordechai and Esther!
We celebrated with Purim songs and special foods, enjoying the taste of Hamentaschen – otherwise known as ‘Haman’s ears’ and feasting together!
At City Gate we would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and pray that 2017 will be a year of love, hope and blessing.
We started the New Year with our first service, 1st January at Hove Bandstand by the seafront. It was a time to reflect… to see out the old year and bring in the new!
We cast stones into the ocean, representing things that we no longer wanted to hold onto from 2016, followed by a time of communion together.
Last Sunday we wrote things that we wanted to remember from 2016 and take into 2017, with hope in our hearts and thankfulness for what is to come… finding rest as we move into a new season!
All age service with carols, readings, children’s activities and Christmas reflections.
Sunday 18th December
3.30-4.30pm
followed by refreshments
City Gate Church Brighthelm Community Centre, North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD
Wow what a day we had at our Christmas Oasis community event on Saturday 10th in the Brighthelm Gardens … gathering around the fire with hot chocolates in hand with a flash mob choice to sing Silent Night … Thank you to everyone who came and joined in with the drumming, singing of carols, dancing, wrapping of presents & hot chocolate drinking around the fire and blessing our city! Many people were touched by the love of God in our Spirit Dream tent and it was great to see the gardens buzzing with activity! Hope to see you again in 2017!
This week we mourn the loss of our dear friend Libby Van Rooyen, who died suddenly and unexpectedly last week. We’ve been privileged to know and love Libby. She enriched our community through her quiet thoughtfulness. Over the years we have journeyed together it has been a joy to see her blossom in care, confidence and creativity. Libby had a faith in Jesus and we are comforted in knowing that she is at total peace with Him now.
We will miss her greatly.
What a great day we had at OASIS on Saturday! Many people came to enjoy the sounds, colours and rhythms released in the Brighthelm Gardens. There was a hive of activity in the Spirit Dream tent and the face painting and drum circle were a hit. Thanks to everyone who came and joined in.
We look forward to our next OASIS event on Saturday 9th July, 11am – 3pm.
See you there!
Our friend Godfrey Birtill joined us to lead the musical worship on Saturday. There was a gathering of worshipers coming before God with a whole mix of creative expressions – from percussion, art, movement, spoken word and play!
It was great to see some new faces and meet people from near and far. Thanks for coming…
Our next …Stepping Beyond is on Saturday 9th July, 7-9.30pm.
See you there!
On Easter Sunday we came together to celebrate new life with a God who truly loves us! The resurrection and life of Jesus Christ!
We also learnt about the traditional Passover meal that Jesus and His disciples partook in at The Last Supper. As a Jew, Jesus was required, under the Law of Moses, to celebrate the Passover every year, to remember the Exodus from Egypt.
It was great to understand all the different elements, from toasting the four cups of wine that represented four promises made to Israel, to the meaning of the unleavened bread, bitter herbs in salt water, hard boiled egg, horseradish and fruits!
Jesus said: “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the Kingdom of God.” ~Luke 22:15-16
We then celebrated with our very own spit roast lamb, cooked especially in the Brighthelm Gardens and feasting in the Café!
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Despite a soggy start we had great fun at Life.Rhythm.Spirit yesterday in Brighton ...
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Kirsty HallettI think this needs to be shared directly from Andy, as you can't see the photos
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