Deer Park Baptist Church was filled with the joy of Christmas as the Quaynotes Choir led in song for the annual Candlelight Service.

Rev’d Rob James reminded those gathered on Sunday, December 4 that the Love of God came down at Christmas in the form of a tiny baby. The message that Jesus brought, ‘to love one another,’ has never been more important than in today’s troubled world.

This was a happy occasion for Rev’d James to introduce the newly appointed pastors to Deer Park Church. They are Rev’d Jonathan Marsden and his wife Rev’d Manuela Marsden, and they played a part in the service by leading in prayers.

After Nela had lit the first two advent candles, 64 candles were lit along the aisles of the church. This serves as a reminder that Jesus said that Christians, like Him, should be a light in the darkness of this world.

The Choir, led by choirmaster Mark Thompson and accompanied on piano by Mrs Eileen Thomas, opened with the lovely carol ‘Bethlehem.’ The choir interspersed the following nine lessons and carols with newer renditions of old favourites; ‘Away in a Manger’ and ’Angels from the realms of Glory,’ then sang the more traditional ‘In the Bleak Midwinter,’ closing with that Christmas favourite, ’Mary’s Boy Child,’

The choir also led the large congregation in singing other traditional carols and a wonderful sound filled the beautiful candlelit church.

To close, five ladies from Ukraine recited a haunting poem ‘Love Ukraine’ and all were upstanding as they sang their National Anthem.

It was a poignant reminder of how hard it must be to have loved ones caught up in this war and to be apart from them at this time.

After the closing prayer led by Rev’d Jonathan Marsden, all turned and blessed each other with ‘The Grace.’

Deer Park Baptist Church thanks all who took part in the service and those who came and gave so generously to raise funds for the Baptist Mission working in the refugee centres in Ukraine. Over £600 was raised.

After the service, all were invited to a Christmas tea in the Hall and had a great time meeting and chatting together.

Love Ukraine

Below is a translation of the poem read at the service:

Love Ukraine as the sun loves,

As the wind and grass and water…

In happy hours and moments of joy,

We love her

Even in times of bad weather.

Love Ukraine in your dreams and in reality.

My Ukraine is like the Cherry Tree.

her beauty renewed in each season;

Eternally alive.

Her language the song of a nightingale.

Without her we are nothing.

Like dust or smoke ,

Blown across the fields by the winds,

To vanish.

Love Ukraine with all your heart.

Love her in trouble, joy, and even in war

As the guns are opening.

Love your Ukraine

And your spirit will soar

And stay with her, always inspired.

Love Ukraine, in work and play,

And at this time,

Filled with the noises of battle.

We love our Ukraine with all of our hearts

And she will be with us forever.