The Community Newsletter of Ashbourne Methodist Church Christmas 2018
A Gift to Our Town One day during Advent, hundreds of angels will descend upon Ashbourne. The angels have been hand-made as a special gift to the community, as we prepare for Christmas. It’s expected that over 1000 colourful creations will be left as gifts for people to find and keep. Each angel has a festive message attached which is a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas and the messages brought by angels on the first Christmas. Clare Sales, one of the organisers said, “Last year, we gave away over 800 angels and it was a real joy to share God’s love at Christmas in this special way. We’re thrilled that this year we’ll be able to share angels with even more people.” The Christmas Angels have been coordinated by Ashbourne Methodist Church, and particularly its Craft & Chat group. Many other members of the town’s churches, and the wider community have also been involved in knitting angels. People who find an angel are encouraged to enjoy it, show it to their friends and, if they are able, to share a photo and message online too, using the hashtags #xmasangels #ashbourne Craft & Chat sessions are held at The Cornerstone every Monday afternoon from 2pm – 4pm and people are welcome to drop in any time with their craft, or just for a chat. For more details please contact Clare Sales on 01335 342321 or visit www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk/craftchat
Inside… Messy Christmas
page 2
Opening the Doors
page 2
Drop-In Nativity
page 3
Countdown to Christmas
page 3
Christmas Services
page 4
For more details see www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk
Start the new year with a bang at Messy Church! Messy Church includes take-home crafts, fun activities, celebration time & lunch, and is great for the whole
family to enjoy. We have Messy Church during every school holiday and our next one will be held on Thursday 3rd January 2019, starting at 10am and finishing at around 12.30pm after lunch.
It’s great fun – why not come with your children or grandchildren, or invite friends or neighbours! See www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk/messychurch
Opening the Doors for Christmas Our doors at Ashbourne Methodist Church are open everyday for people to come and spend time in the church, but “Opening the Doors for Christmas” is the theme of some special displays which help us think back to the first Christmas. The displays are open throughout December and are open to everyone to come and enjoy. They will hopefully provoke thought on the way people reacted that first Christmas. Each of the displays is mounted inside some small wooden doors, which open to reveal part of the Christmas story. As well as being open for the public to visit, many local school children will be visiting the displays to hear about the first Christmas. We’re looking forward to welcoming all of the children, their teachers and many parents as we approach Christmas.
In need of prayer this Christmas? Christmas isn’t always the easiest of times, but we believe that prayer can really help. You can find tips on how to pray and also request prayer at our website… www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk/ prayer
Regular Sunday Services at 10.30am and 6.30pm
Worship for
The Cornerstone Coffee Shop
Everyone
Our church coffee shop is open from 10am every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for homemade sandwiches and cakes with a friendly welcome from our volunteers.
9:15 is worship for everyone, including people of all ages and interests. It is held on the second Sunday of every month. In an informal style, 9:15 features live music, discussion and prayers, followed by breakfast pastries at 10am. Our usual 10.30am worship follows breakfast, with young people having film & fun in the Century Hall. The next 9:15 services are on Sunday 9th December and Sunday 13th January.
Drop-in Nativity Everyone is welcome to come and join in a special nativity service at 10.30am on Sunday 23rd December. The service will be led by our Powersource young people’s group. Anyone can take part in the nativity, using costumes provided on the day, or come in your own outfit of your favourite character from that first Christmas. Of course, that might mean we end up with three Josephs and only two Angels, but we’ll still hear from the Bible about what really happened.
Tim’s Message Countdown to Christmas
December marks the season of Advent, a time of remembering the journey of a refugee couple, one of whom was heavily pregnant, as they travel to Bethlehem. Sharing in their journey, we think of our own journey too, marked and shaped as it is by circumstance, opportunity and choices. Each week in Advent we shall light a candle, counting down to the big day, when we remember the coming of God in human form, in a tiny, frail, vulnerable, needy child. I hope that this Advent will give you time, during all the rush and busyness of preparing for Christmas, to remember the joys and sorrows of the passing year and find faith, hope and love for the one that is to come. I warmly welcome you to any of the special services and activities we have to celebrate this Christmas, Rev Tim Morris, Minister at Ashbourne Methodist Church
For more details see www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk
Come and Worship!
Christmas Services
Ashbourne Methodist Church will be hosting Christmas celebrations for all ages.
Sun 16th Dec Morning Service Sun 16th Dec Praise! Service
6.30pm
Throughout Advent, the church is preparing for Christmas through its services.
Sun 23rd Dec Nativity Service
10.30am
Our morning service at 10.30am on Sunday 23rd December is a Nativity Service to which everyone is invited. Anyone can take part in the nativity, using costumes provided on the day, or come in your own outfit of your favourite character from that first Christmas.
Sun 23rd Dec Carols by Candlelight Mon 24th Dec Communion Service
Tues 25th Dec Christmas Celebration
10.30am
6.30pm 11.30pm
10am
On the evening of Sunday 23rd December, Carols by Candlelight (pictured below) offers a different style of worship with traditional carols and readings combined with a modern interpretation. On Christmas Eve, our 11.30pm Communion Service allows us to join together as Christmas day begins and to remember the reason Jesus came to earth. 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 everyone. We hope you can join us!
You might have seen our special illuminated Christmas display from Station Road The display was the result of many church members using the gifts and talents that God has given them. From the person who had the idea, to those who designed the display, the people who made it weather-proof, and those who helped lift it into position, all gave their time with the hope that the display will bless those who see it this Christmas time.
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 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 Followus on Twitter @AshbourneMC