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Bible Society and Open the Book

Thank you to everyone who gave to the retirement

collection on Bible Sunday. It raised 170.25 for the work
of the Bible Society.

Please continue to pray for the Bible Society workers in
the Holy Land as described in their latest update below.

On a happier note, we have a Christmas tree in the Christmas tree
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Festival at Emmanuel, Thursday 7 and Saturday 9 December. As the
theme is Christmas traditions, we have decided to portray the nativity as
shown through Christmas carols. If anyone has a Christmas tree
ornament depicting either the nativity or a carol which you are willing for
us to borrow, please can you give it to me (with your name on) before
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Wednesday 6 December. I will return it to you soon after 9 December.

Open the Book will complete telling the story of Jairus and the healing of
the woman who touched Jesus’ cloak in four local schools by early
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December. On Tuesday 16 January Rachel Cully will be coming to
train our team and anyone who might be interested in finding out more
about Open the Book. The training is free of charge. Please talk to Anne
if you are interested in finding out more.

Wishing you all a Happy and Blessed Christmas

Anne Squires

Update from the Bible Society

In devastating circumstances, mission teams in the Bible Lands are
committed to their mission of providing aid, comfort and spiritual
guidance to the people in the region.

Teams serving in Gaza and the West Bank, in Arab-majority Galilee and
among Jews and others throughout Israel continue to work steadfastly
to make a positive difference by sharing the Bible and meeting
humanitarian needs.

Both Bible Society offices in Gaza have been caught in air-
strikes. Just this week, the building that housed the surviving office
was completely demolished in another attack. Two staff members have
been wounded and another two have lost their homes to bombardment.

Nashat Filmon’s dedicated Bible team has been actively involved in
relief efforts, continuing their support for Christians in the area, even as
they suffer tragedies themselves. ‘We formed a crisis team,’ Nashat
says. ‘We’re monitoring the situation and trying to provide as much help

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