Happy Christmas from everyone at Churches Together.
At a time when ‘wars and rumours of wars’ are rife and the land where Jesus was born is torn apart, it may be hard to feel celebratory. However Christmas time points us to Jesus the Prince of Peace who will one day make all wars cease, and in the here and now brings us peace with God and between individuals At this time we celebrate the amazing good news that God loved us so much that he sent his son into the world to bring light, live among us, demonstrate his revolutionary love, and save us from our sins.
The churches of our town are organising a wide variety of different ways that YOU can join in celebrating the enduring good news of God’s precious gift to us. Be assured that you will receive a warm welcome (in both senses of the word!) as we celebrate together.
Please see below for details of the services in the churches of our town.
To get you ‘in the Christmas mood’ here is Joy to the World from our virtual choir (recorded several years ago – but still as relevant as ever)
Church information so far (updated 18Nov2023)
All Saints, Hockerill (website)
3rd December: 6:00pm – Advent carol service by candlelight
17th December: 3:30 – 5pm CHRISTINGLE SERVICE – make your own Christingles, followed by a candlelit service for all the family
Christmas Eve: 4pm WELCOME TO CHRISTMAS ~ a Crib service for all the family ; 8pm THE FIRST MASS OF CHRISTMAS~ by candlelight.
Baptist Church (website)
Tuesday 19th December: 8pm – Beer & Carols at The Coach and Horses pub, Thorley.
All the services below are at the Baptist Church Centre
17th December: 10:30am -Christmas family service; 6:30pm – Carol Service
24th December: 10:30am- Christmas Eve Service
Christmas Day: 10:30 am – Christmas day family service
New Years day : 10:30 – Family service
Community Church (website)
Saturday 2nd December – 2:00 pm Crafty Christmas (for pre school and primary school children and parents)
10th December: 4:00pm and 6:00pm – Christmas carol experience (with gospel choir)
17th December: 9.15am Messy Nativity (come dressed as your favourite nativity character)
24th December: 915 and 11:30am – Christmas Eve services
Christmas Day: 10:30 – 11:15 am: The gift of Jesus Christmas day service
Havers Community Church (website)
Holy Trinity (website)
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th (10:00am – 4:00pm): Christmas Tree Festival
Christmas Eve: 10:00am – Eucharist for the Fourth Sunday of Advent; 4:00pm – Nativity service (for all ages)
Christmas Day: 10:00am – Christmas Day Eucharist
Hub Church (website)
17th December 10:30am : Candlelit Christmas service followed by mince pies and mulled wine
Methodist Church (website)
10th December 10:00am : Gift service (gifts from this service will be taken to Whitechapel Mission) and Blessing of the Cribs (from previous day’s Crib Festival)
17th December: 10:00am – Blue Christmas service, for those who find the jollity of Christmas difficult; 6pm Carol service and Songs of Praise with tea/coffee and mince pies afterwards
Christmas Eve: 4:00pm– Children’s Christmas Service – come in your own Nativity costume or borrow one of ours (Note: no morning service)
Christmas Day 10:30am: Family Service to celebrate our Lord’s birth. Bring one of your presents to show everyone!
No service on 1st Jan
Salvation Army (Facebook)
Saturday 9th December :3:00pm – Café carols at Unit 3, Ducketts Wharf.
St James (website)
3rd December: 10:30am The Barnabas Centre: Toy Service
10th December: 7:00pm – St James’s Church: Silent Night service
17th December: 3:00pm St James’s Church : Carols by Candlelight
Christmas Eve: 4:00pm – Crib services in the Barnabas centre : 11:30pm – Midnight Mass in the church
Christmas Day: 10:00am – Christmas for the whole family in the Barnabas Centre
St Joseph’s (website)
St Michael’s (website)
Saturday 2nd December: 10:00am- 1:00pm – Christmas Holly Fair. Food, stalls, refreshments and handmade holly wreaths. ALL proceeds to charity.
3rd December:10:00m- Advent Choral service. A beautiful meditative service of songs, music and readings
10th December: 3:30pm – Carols & Candlelight with Daniel Robinson & Sons; A service to remember our loved ones
17th December: 6:00pm: Service of 9 lessons and carols
Christmas Eve: 8:00am -Holy Communion; 10:00am to 3:00pm: church open for prayer – come and see the Christmas crib; write a prayer and hang it on the Christmas tree; enjoy the floral displays; children’s activities 3:30pm: Crib service for all (children are invited to come dressed as a nativity character) 11:00pm: Midnight Mass with carols
Christmas Day: 10:00am: Christmas service
Water Lane URC (website)
17th December: 10:30am – Service of lessons and Carols followed by coffee and mince pies
Christmas Eve: 10:30am – Christmas Service
New Life Church (website)
18th December: 11:00am: Christmas celebration at the Boy’s High School