he link The Community Newsletter of Ashbourne Methodist Church Christmas 2013
While Shepherds Watched Ashbourne Methodist Church has been hosting a series of displays telling the story of Christmas. “While Shepherds Watched” focused on the story of the shepherds, with the displays combining to give a fresh perspective on Christmas. Almost 200 children from local schools, preschools and nurseries visited “While Shepherds Watched” for an interactive tour, including a puppet show and craft activities. Children and their parents have also been enjoying the Christmas Sheep Trail around town, seeking out hand-knitted sheep which have been hidden in shop windows. Winners will receive one of the woolly friends to keep – baa-rilliant!
Inside… ‘Seeing Stars’ Messy Church page 2 Twixmas Trundle
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What does it mean to you?
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9:15 Worship for Everyone
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It’s Christmas!
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Displays will remain in church until Christmas.
A Facebook Nativity Ashbourne Methodist Church is holding a very special and quite unique nativity this year – on Facebook. The aim is to share the traditional message and meaning of Christmas using this modern technology. During December, characters have been posting updates of what is happening to them. The story has been read by people from around the world, including people from Zimbabwe, India, Canada and Romania. You can follow the story as it unfolds at www.facebook.com/ashbournemethodist
For more details see www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk
“Seeing Stars” Messy Church is great fun. It's for children and adults to enjoy together - and a time for them to enjoy being together. The theme for our next Messy Church is ‘Seeing Stars – the journey of the wise men’ and will feature activities such as camel racing and making glitter stars. Lunch is included in this free event which will be held from 10am – 1pm on Monday 23rd December in the Century Hall, Station Road, Ashbourne. For more info see www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk/messychurch
The Cornerstone Coffee Shop Our church coffee shop is open from 10am every Thursday, Friday and Saturday (not open Christmas & New Year) for homemade sandwiches and cakes. Pop in for a friendly cuppa!
In need of prayer? You can find tips on how to pray and also request prayer at our website… www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk/prayer
Twixmas Trundle People of all ages are invited to blow away the Christmas cobwebs and walk-off their turkey dinner with a walk up the Tissington Trail on Monday 30th December. It will be a gentle walk as far as you’d like, before returning to the Century Hall for soup and cakes. Ashbourne Methodist has two regular walking groups. Walk and Talk take a morning walk each week finishing with an indoor lunch. Each fortnight, Amble and Ramble meets for a more gentle walk. As the names suggest there is plenty of time for conversation on the walks! For more details, contact Chris on 345280 or see www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk/walking
Regular Sunday Services at 10.30am and 6.30pm
What does Christmas mean to you? We asked a few people from our church which part of the Christmas story they liked best and why – here are their answers…
I’m always astounded that Mary just accepted that that’s what God wanted her to do.”
“I like the way that all of the wise men’s studying and calculations came together.” “I really love the story of how the wise men followed a star as they knew that they would find someone special at the end of their journey. It reminds me that we are all on a journey in life, and we can be reassured that we don’t do it on our own.”
“God who is everywhere and made everything, sent his son to live on earth with us, to show us how to live in a humble way - always loving and helping others. I find that amazing!”
Worship for Everyone 9:15 is worship for everyone, including people of all ages and interests. In an informal style, 9:15 features live music, discussion and prayers, followed by breakfast pastries at 10am. The next 9:15 is on Sunday 5th January.
“I like the shepherds and the fact that it was ordinary folk who were some of the first to see Jesus.”
So what about you? Do you find anything inspiring, unsettling, challenging, or disturbing about Christmas? I don’t mean trees, tinsel and turkey; what to buy someone for a present, or how long the sprouts need cooking! What about the events in the real Christmas story? This Christmas, why not discover again what it is really all about and hear again the Good News that God loved the world so much he gave his only son, so that we can all know his love in our lives, not just at Christmas, but every day of the year. You are invited to all of the events and services at Church this Christmas. I hope you will come and join in the celebration. You will find a warm and friendly welcome. Rev Tim Morris Minister at Ashbourne Methodist Church
For more details see www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk
It’s Christmas!
Christmas Services
Ashbourne Methodist Church will be hosting Christmas celebrations for all ages this December.
Sun 22nd Dec All Age Worship
The morning worship on Sunday 22nd December will include songs and activities to help people of all ages think about the real meaning of Christmas. In the evening of Sunday December, Carols by Candlelight offers a different style of worship with traditional carols and readings combined with modern interpretation.
10.30am
Sun 22nd Dec Carols by Candlelight
6.30pm
Mon 23rd Dec Messy Church Tues 24th Dec Communion Service
10am 11.30pm
Wed 25th Dec Christmas Celebration Sun 29th Dec Worship
10am 10.30am
22nd
On Christmas Day, we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus with a Christmas Celebration at 10am. Children (and adults!) are invited to bring a new toy or game to show the congregation. The church will also continue to think of those who are less fortunate. Following a blessing at a service on 24th November, 300 shoeboxes were sent to Zambia as part of Operation Christmas Child. We pray that the children who receive those shoeboxes may know that we care.
Christmas isn’t always easy Sometimes we can be taken in by the tinsel and decorations, but Christmas isn’t always an easy time of year For those who mourn loved ones, Christmas can feel lonely. Churches in Ashbourne have joined together to offer year-round support to those who are bereaved. Café Connect is a friendly place where you can drop in, have a drink and chat, if you wish, with trained volunteers – many of whom have experienced bereavement themselves. Café Connect is open on Tuesday afternoons from 2-4pm in The Cornerstone at Ashbourne Methodist Church (not Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve). For more details, contact Pip Short on 01283 813640.
Ashbourne Methodist Church is a family church… …with a welcome and range of activities for all ages. At the centre of all we do is our worship of God and we attempt to do this with both contemporary and traditional styles. You can find us at the corner of Church Street & Station Road, Ashbourne DE6 1AE Email info@ashbournemethodist.org.uk Web www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk