good news ...a child was born... - Mottram Evangelical Church

good
THE
news THIS
CHRISTMAS
IS...
...a
child
was
born...
MOTTRAM EVANGELICAL CHURCH & HATTERSLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH
CHRISTMAS 2010

2
Hattersley
COMMUNITY CHURCH
Mottram Evangelical Church and
Hattersley Community Church
work together in order to
glorify God, serve His church
and reach His world
As individual churches we meet every
Sunday morning at 10.30 for Morning
Worship: MEC at the church just by the
main traffic lights on Stalybridge Road,
Mottram and HCC at Pinfold Primary
School on Hattersley Road East in
Hattersley.
Throughout the rest of the week we
present a number of community based
activities for all ages, including
Tuesday Cafe (see page 15), football,
children and young people group ‘get
togethers’ (page 14) and much more.
We trust, as you read through our
Christmas magazine, you will want to
hear more. If you do, why not sign up
for our next Alpha course (page 6) or
simply call in any Sunday morning ...
you can be sure of a warm welcome.
Ask 101 people what they most like about Christmas
and you’ll end up with 101 different answers.
Some reminisce about family time, others look forward to the break
and still others, the comedy classics repeated on the telly.
However for many, one of the things they treasure most
is the recital of the Christmas story. Every year many of us
will hear the story told by star-struck children at the school nativity
or will stop to hear a brass band playing carols on the corner,
or will receive a card in which the new born babe appears
to smile especially for the artist!
However, I would dare to suggest that many of us
have become so familiar with these presentations
that we struggle to recognise the fact
from the fiction, the truth from the tradition!
So why does it matter if the Christmas story is simply
rehashed in such a way that it becomes just another voice
that struggles to be heard amidst the hullaballoo?
Well, it’s simple ...the angel told Joseph that
Mary would bear a son... not simply to brighten up
the dark winter nights, but to ‘save his people from their sins’.
Presents are welcome and parties are essential, but nothing
excites me more than this amazing truth:
the Bible tells us that, inspired by love ...God himself
was born as a baby in our corner
of the cosmos... However, Jesus came not only
to live among us, but ultimately to die for us. He came in order
that we could have more than a mid-winter celebration,
he came that we could know his love, his joy and his forgiveness.
We would love you to join with us
this Christmas time as we celebrate
God’s amazing story of salvation.
Have a very happy Christmas, Gareth
(Pastor: Mottram Evangelical Church)
3
Luke 1 : 30/31
30 But the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have
found favour with God. 31 You will
conceive and give birth to a son,
and you are to call him Jesus.

4
The real story of Christmas
It’s a birthday celebration
These are the facts matched with the Biblical accounts found in
the New Testament section of the Bible* (in the gospels of
Matthew and Luke). This is how the birth of Jesus came about…
FACT: ABOUT TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO GOD SENT THE ANGEL GABRIEL
TO NAZARETH, A TOWN IN GALILEE (THE MOST NORTHERLY PART OF
. PALESTINE) TO A VIRGIN NAMED MARY WITH A HEART STOPPING MESSAGE:
“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour
with God. You will be with child and give birth to a
son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.”
“How will this be since I am a virgin?”
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you—so the holy
one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
FACT: ACT: MARY WAS ENGAGED TO JOSEPH (A DESCENDANT OF KING DAVID)
WHO, BECAUSE OF THIS PREGNANCY WAS THINKING OF BREAKING OFF THE
ENGAGEMENT. BUT GOD’S ANGEL SPOKE TO HIM ALSO (IN A DREAM) AND
TOLD HIM TO GO AHEAD AND TO MARRY MARY.
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary
as your wife, because what is conceived in her is
from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son,
and you are to give him the name Jesus, because
he will save his people from their sins.”
FACT: THE ROMAN EMPEROR, CAESAR AUGUSTUS, ORDERED A CENSUS OF
THE WHOLE ROMAN EMPIRE, SO JOSEPH (WITH THE PREGNANT MARY)
FACT:
MADE THE 90 MILE JOURNEY FROM NAZARETH TO BETHLEHEM...HIS
‘HOME’ TOWN. WHILE THEY WERE THERE MARY GAVE BIRTH TO A SON. SHE
WRAPPED HIM UP WARMLY AND PLACED HIM IN A MANGER IN A STABLE...
BECAUSE THERE WAS NOWHERE ELSE FOR THEM TO STAY.
“No room at the inn.”
*New International Version (NIV)
FACT: THAT SAME NIGHT AN ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED TO SHEPHERDS
WHO WERE LIVING OUT IN THE FIELDS CLOSE TO BETHLEHEM, GUARDING
THEIR FLOCKS. IT WAS FRIGHTENING! THEY WERE TERRIFIED! BECAUSE THE
GLORY OF THE LORD SHONE BREATHTAKINGLY BRIGHT ALL AROUND THEM.
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of
great joy that will be for all people. Today in
the town of David a Saviour has been born to
you; he is Christ the Lord.”
“You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and
lying in a manger.”
FACT: IF THAT WASN’T FRIGHTENING ENOUGH, MORE ANGELS...A GREAT HOST
OF THEM...APPEARED, SHOUTING PRAISES TO GOD!
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace to men on whom his favour rests.”
FACT: THE ANGELS LEFT AND THE SHEPHERDS HURRIED OFF AND FOUND MARY,
JOSEPH AND THE BABY, WHO WAS LYING IN THE MANGER.
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has
happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
FACT: THE SHEPHERDS RETURNED, GLORIFYING AND PRAISING GOD FOR ALL THE
THINGS THEY HAD HEARD AND SEEN, WHICH WERE JUST AS THEY HAD BEEN TOLD.
LATER IMPORTANT MEN FROM A NEIGHBOURING EASTERN COUNTRY, LED BY A
STAR, CAME AND ASKED KING HEROD IF THEY COULD SEE THE CHILD.
“Where is the one who has been born king of
the Jews? We have seen his star in the east
and have come to worship him.”
FACT: BUT THE STAR WENT FURTHER! FINALLY IT STOPPED OVER THE PLACE WHERE
MARY, JOSEPH AND THE CHILD WERE. THEY BOWED DOWN, WORSHIPPED HIM
AND GAVE HIM PRESENTS OF GOLD, FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH.
5

THE
MEANING OF
LIFE IS .
Fill in the blank and bring this slip along on Monday10 January
The Alpha Course is your opportunity
to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed manner over ten,
thought-provoking Monday night sessions (that start with
a warm meal and normally last a couple of hours)
OUR NEXT ALPHA COURSE STARTS
ON MONDAY 17 JANUARY (7.30pm)
AT MOTTRAM EVANGELICAL CHURCH
6 7
COME TO THE INTRODUCTORY SESSION FIRST
AT MOTTRAM EVANGELICAL CHURCH ON
MONDAY 10 JANUARY (7.30pm)
Interested? Then register by Monday 3 January by completing the form below
Then either: post it to: Administrator, Mottram Evangelical Church,
Stalybridge Road, Mottram SK14 6NF or push it through the church letterbox
or call 01457 764113 (leave a message if out-of-church hours)
This is a joint event hosted by Mottram Evangelical Church (Stalybridge Road, Mottram)
and St Michael & All Angels (War Hill, Mottram)
I would like to take part in your Alpha Course starting Monday 17 January
First name Surname
Address
Postcode Daytime phone
Mobile Email
Dietary requirements Age (indication)
What’s in a shoebox?
Once again Tameside Council generously
donated a warehouse in Ashton-under-Lyne
this year for Operation Christmas
Child to check, store and distribute
your shoeboxes.
Last year 44,500 shoeboxes were
sent out from Greater Manchester,
part of 1.2 million sent from the UK.
This year our shoeboxes will go to
Belarus, Serbia, Kosova, Ukraine and
Liberia. Each box is an individual gift
that’s packed with love and given with love to a
needy child irrespective of race or creed.
One of our volunteers, Carol Hartley runs
Operation Christmas Child in the Rochdale
area. She frequently holidays in Gozo, Malta.
This year Carol became friendly with an
eighteen-year old waitress in the local
café. One day she mentioned the Shoebox
Appeal to this girl. Nothing more was said
but the following day, when she met her again,
the girl said that she wanted to tell her
something but she had wanted to tell her
mother first before sharing it.
She told Carol that she was adopted and
that she had been born in Romania and at
the age of eight had been given a shoebox.
When she left Romania to come to Malta she
could only take one thing (not that she had a
lot). Then she produced a Barbie doll. This
had been in the shoebox and she had brought
it with her.
WOW! There are times when we have no idea
of the impact that our shoeboxes can have on
the lives of the children who receive them, but be assured they will!
For many it will be the first and only gift they ever receive but this simple act of
kindness reminds a needy child that God loves them and that they have not
been forgotten.
Martyn Catterall
Operation Christmas Child
Area Co-ordinator for Greater Manchester and a
member of Mottram Evangelical Church
Matthew 2 : 11
Later Wise Men came from the
East, led by a star. When they found
the child, they bowed down and
worshipped him and presented to him
gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

8
Fewsters’ Story
Jonathon and Alison have lived in Broadbottom for nine years.
Originally they came looking for a plot of land on which to build a house.
Immediately they fell in love with Broadbottom and the spectacular
countryside around. They feel very blessed to live now in a beautiful
spacious house which from the outset they have been committed to
sharing with others. Over the last five years they have shown hospitality
to many people including visitors from overseas.
Their home is also used as a weekly venue for a home group from
Mottram Evangelical Church which meets to pray and study God’s Word.
In addition each Thursday morning, a group of ladies have a devotional
meeting. At Christmas time they host Carols by Firelight with a roast
pork supper for friends and neighbours.
They came to faith at different times in their lives: Alison was fifty years
old and Jonathon was twelve.
Alison’s favourite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5:“Trust in the Lord with all
your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
She says, “I spent fifty years trying to understand life by logic but at
fifty I submitted to the will of God and felt peace.”
Jonathon also has a favourite Bible verse, Romans 5:11:
“More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
In his own words: “We rejoice, not because of possessions,
circumstances or feelings, but because we are reconciled to God
through His Son.”
Although retired, they continue to lead very busy lives including
spending time with family and exploring the outdoors in walking
weekends. They are members of the Tameside and Glossop branch of
Gideons International helping to present Bibles to Year 7 in local
schools, placing Bibles in hospitals and talking about the work to local
churches.
They play a very active role in village life and both are committee
members of the Friends of Broadbottom Station. The Friends arrange a
number of community events during the year. These events include a
Christmas Celebration when a special Christmas train stops at the
station. Carols are sung led by Mottram Evangelical Church and Father
Christmas hands out presents to the children.
Alison and Jonathon are active members of the church but they want to
stress that attending church and being involved does not make them
better than other people.
They believe that the only way to be
right with God is to acknowledge our
failures and rely upon the sacrifice that
the Lord Jesus Christ made on the cross
at Calvary to reconcile us to Himself.
9
Luke 2 : 8/10
Nearby were shepherds
keeping watch over their flocks. An
angel appeared to them and the glory of
the Lord shone around them. The angel
brought good news…that a Saviour
had been born - Christ the Lord.

10
At Hattersley Community Church we believe that Jesus is alive and
that he makes a real difference in people’s lives. Jez is a member of
our church who has certainly found this to be true for him.
Read his story, in his own words on
the page opposite....
Hattersley
COMMUNITY CHURCH
At Christmas time we celebrate the fact that
Jesus came to earth to bridge the gap between God and people.
Our church is made up of normal people like Jez from many different
walks of life and age groups who all have one thing in common: they
have come into a living relationship with God through Jesus.
As a result, although they face the same difficulties in life as everyone
else, they have a new perspective on life and death that gives them
hope, joy and peace. These things are only truly found in Jesus.
This Christmas don’t miss the real reason for celebrating!
Why don’t you join us for our Christmas Family Celebration at
10:30 am on Christmas Day at Pinfold Primary School?
You too can come into a living relationship with God.
If you want to find out what else we do as a church, or you have any
questions, please contact me on 07985 029115 or check out our
website ( www.hattersleycc.co.uk)
Luke 2 : 20
The shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all the things they had heard
and seen, which were just
as they had been told.
“May you come to know the hope, joy
and peace of God this Christmas!”
Jim Solomon, Pastor
But those that hope in the Lord will renew
their strength ISAIAH CHAPTER 40 VERSE 31
Back in early October 2008, I was fully fit and
healthy. On the last weekend of the month
before I was with members of HCC in a local
park. I’d joined the men from the church in
sports and had run around all afternoon.
A week into October I was feeling under the
weather and within less than two weeks
I was paralysed from the neck down, all
I could do was move my head and talk.
I was moved to a hospital that could
treat my suspected condition and on
arrival I had various tests. That night
the doctor told me I was suffering
from guillan-barre syndrome: a very
rare condition that attacks the nerves
that control motor function and only
affects around 1 in a 100,000 people
in the UK a year. I was moved into
intensive care and given oxygen as my lungs were shutting down.
At the same time my sister-in-law had been praying for me at home. She opened
her Bible hoping to find peace. She read: “The end of my life is near, I can barely
breathe, there is nothing left for me but the grave.” (Job 17:1) This verse brought
her to tears and she prayed again hoping God would show her something else.
She opened her Bible again and needed to look no further than the heading –
Jesus heals a paralysed man (Matthew 9). In the passage from Job God was
showing her the problem, but in Matthew the solution ... JESUS!
I was soon on the long road to recovery. I still have severe weakness in my legs,
however, I just trust God and know that God has answered prayer continually
over my illness. Although I have had a real Job-like experience, God has seen me
through at every stage. God Bless, Jez Smith
If you have primary school children
bring them along to Kidz Klub!
Each week we have lots of fun learning about Jesus through games, songs,
stories, dramas, and more. At the end of each term we have a party! Our
Christmas party will be on 16th December. So come along and join us.
Kidz Klub is at Meeting Point (next to St Barnabas Church)
every Thursdays in term-time from 5 : 15 to 6 : 30pm
For more information contact Michelle on 368 4565
11

Christmas in Dodoma
‘‘
Dodoma is the capital city of Tanzania. Most of the population live
in the surrounding rural area, so the city is not densely populated.
Generally, Christmas is celebrated in a very simple way.
December 24 Christmas preparations start today as people go to the market to buy
food and spices. Houses are cleaned and then decorated with flowers. Some may
even be able to find a branch of a tree and decorate it as a Christmas tree. This day
is always very busy. Women are responsible for all
these things. The most popular food is pilau rice,
which is made up of rice with meat and different
kinds of spices. Beef,
duck, chicken and often
fish is used. All these are
prepared on this day.
Christmas Eve A church
service is held. The youth
and the children will have
been busy in the last week
rehearsing drama, learning Christmas Bible verses and songs
and decorating the church. This is their responsibility. During
the service cards and gifts are given to friends and relatives.
One year we had a candlelight service.
At midnight we sing merry Christmas to each other.
Christmas Day We have another service. Everyone is shining
on this day. The children
wear new clothes. If any
child does not wear new clothes, he feels shame
and is unhappy. Sometimes they don’t want
to come to church. Parents have to buy clothes
for their children on this day so that they will
feel happy and loved.
The children like this day very much.
After church Families welcome each other into
their homes to celebrate this day. Some families
may go to recreation centres or the town and
visit friends.
Christmas Day is celebrated in many different ways because of peoples’ cultural and
historical backgrounds. I can’t comment on who is right and who is wrong. The best
thing is all of us believe that Jesus came to the earth as a human through Mary and He
is the Christ and that is why we are called Christians.
12 13
‘‘
Silas Mkuyu (Dodoma 2010) Silas has a BSc in Geology.
His long-term aim is to lecture at Dodoma University but currently he is unemployed and works
as a volunteer on Christian Radio and leads a youth group in his church.
“Oh come, all ye faithful.
Joyful and triumphant.
Oh come ye, oh come ye to...“
...Mottram Evangelical Church
on Sunday 19 December at 6.30pm
for our Candlelight Carol Service
with mince pies and coffee
...and join us for
Carol Singing round Mottram Village*
on Tuesday 21 December at 7.30pm
* you are all are invited
dress warmly and bring a lamp
song sheets provided
meet at william ford house
Luke 2 : 6/7
...the time came for the baby to
be born. She gave birth to a son.
She wrapped him on cloths and
placed him in a manger, because
there was no room in the inn.

14
youth@church
Hi! I’m Debs
I’m Simon
I’m Louise
I’m Dave
We co-ordinate a wide
and varied range of
activities centred on
our two churches. They
are for anyone to take
part in - you don’t have to belong
to a church! Throughout every week we bring the
message of the Bible to all ages (from the very
young to teenagers) through a mix of recreational,
character-building, learning and fun things.
For further details of any of these get hold of us by
calling 01457 764113 or try the www’s at:
mottramec.co.uk or lifecentre-hattersley.org.uk
Matthew 2 : 9/10
The star which they had seen
in the East went ahead of them until
it stopped over the place where the
child was. When they saw the star,
they were overjoyed.
weeklyactivities
SUNDAYS
Programme for all ages, including creche facilities
at MEC and HCC during the morning services
MONDAYS
GIRLEE CREW: all girl group - singing, dancing
and performing contemporary church music at
MEC (5.15 - 6.30pm*) with Louise Lee & Vicky Lee
UNDER-16S FOOTBALL: at the Ken Ward Centre,
Hattersley (5 - 6pm) with Simon Davidson &
Dave Kendrick
TUESDAYS
GIRLS CELL: (13 - 17s) at MEC (6.30 - 8pm) with
Rachel Bowden & Rachel West
OVER-16S FOOTBALL: at The Ken Ward Centre,
Hattersley (9 - 10pm) with Dave Kendrick
WEDNESDAYS
LADS CELL: (13 - 17s) at MEC (6 - 7.30pm) with
Simon Davidson
THURSDAYS
KIDZCLUB: (primary school age) at the
Meeting Point, Hattersley (5.15 - 6.30pm*)
with Michelle Depass
K4C - KIDS 4 CHRIST: (ages 8-11) games,
activities and trips at MEC (6-30 -8pm*) with
Stephen Winfield, Naomi Towell, Christine
Pearson and Jim Towell
FRIDAYS
YOUTH ADVENTURE CLUB: meet by the Cyber
Café, Hattersley (4pm) with Simon Davidson,
and Paul Hobbs
YPG - YOUNG PEOPLES’ GROUP: (secondary
school age) at MEC (7.30 - 9.30pm*) with
Simon Davidson, Debs Fidler, Dave Kendrick
and Mark Lee
* During school term time
MEC: Mottram Evangelical Church
HCC: Hattersley Community Church
Note: All our youth workers are CRB checked
WORKING IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH
TAMESIDECHILDREN’S
CENTRES
Mottram Evangelical Church is delighted to be working
in partnership with Tameside MBC as a recognised
Children’s Centre and trusts that the ongoing partnership
with the Council enables us to better serve the community.
Got time to while away a
couple of hours (or just take a
break for lunch) of a Tuesday?
Well why not try...
THE TUESDAY CAFE
It’s THE place to meet for villagers
and friends of all ages.
The menu is varied and features
lovely home-baked favourites (using
Fair Trade produce) with the profits
going to support children in in
developing world
Mottram Evangelical Church
Stalybridge Road, Mottram
Tuesdays in school term time
10.30am to 12.30pm
Committed to treating all clients with full
respect (regardless of religion, race,
background, belief, age or sex)
MOTTRAM
PREGNANCY
CENTRE
For free confidential counselling,
tests, help after abortion,
acceptance and support
call the image Pregnancy Helpline
on 0845 330 8466 (text 07797 803693)
or email kate@pregnancyhelpline.co.uk
today to make an appointment
Opening every school day morning little gems seeks to
provide a safe and caring environment where children
between the ages of two and five are encouraged to
extend their learning through play
Places availableright now!
For further information please speak to a member of staff or
view the ‘policy file’ on display in the foyer of the church.
Little Gems Preschool
Mottram Evangelical Church, Stalybridge Rd, Mottram, Cheshire SK14 6NF •Telephone: 01457 764113
Tracey Lloyd-Jones (Preschool Supervisor) Telephone: 01457 764618
15

OUR CHRISTMAS CALENDAR
Mottram Evangelical Church
STALYBRIDGE ROAD, MOTTRAM
Sunday 19 December
10.30am: Family Christmas Service
6.30pm: Candlelight Carol Service
with mince pies and coffee
Tuesday 21 December
7.30pm: Carol Singing round Mottram Village
Dress warmly and bring a lamp. Song sheets provided.
All are welcome so please come and join us
Meet at William Ford House
Saturday 25 December (Christmas Day)
10.30 to 11.30am: Family Celebration
Sunday 26 December (Boxing Day)
10.30: Morning Worship plus a bacon roll
Hattersley Community Church
PINFOLD SCHOOL, HATTERSLEY
Saturday 25 December (Christmas Day)
10.30 to 11.30am: Christmas Service
Sunday 26 December (Boxing Day)
No service
St Michael and All Angels
WAR HILL, MOTTRAM
Sunday 19 December
6.30pm: Traditional Service of Nine Lessons
and Carols
Friday 24 December (Christmas Eve)
4pm: Christingle Service - a special candle-lit
service for young children
11.15pm: Midnight Holy Communion
Saturday 25 December (Christmas Day)
10.30am: Short Family Communion for
Christmas morning
Sunday 26 December (Boxing Day)
8.30 service only
Night of Nights
It was the night of
nights, and yet it had
begun as every other
night had before it.
But it was to become
the greatest, most
significant night of
history.
This was the night that
would conquer darkness
and bring in the day
when there would be no
more night.
This was the night when
those who sat in darkness
would see a great light.
This was the night God
brought into the world
the One who is “the
light of the world.”
May His light shine in
your life this Christmas
season
‘Hope for Each Day’
by Billy Graham © 2002 Billy
Graham, used by permission, all
rights reserved
Good News is published by Mottram Evangelical Church
Stalybridge Road, Mottram, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 6NF | Telephone: 01457 764113