The Community Newsletter of Ashbourne Methodist Church Christmas 2019
Ashbourne’s Christmas Angels 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. This will be the third year that the Christmas Angels have come to Ashbourne, with the angels being handmade by many people from local churches and organisations. Each angel has a festive message as a reminder of the messages brought by angels on the first Christmas.
Clare Sales, one of the organisers said, “Last year, we sent out 1444 Christmas Angels and we received lovely messages from people who found them We know that some people missed out, so we hope to have even more angels this year.” 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
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“We’re going on a journey”
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Fish & Chips Church
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What’s your favourite Carol?
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Christmas Services
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For more details see www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk
Messy Christmas! Messy Church is great fun. It's for children and adults to enjoy together - and a time for them to enjoy being together. Our next Messy Church will be a Messy Christmas and there’ll be a chance to make different parts of the story, including angels, sheep, stars and (of course) the baby Jesus. Lunch is included in this free event which will be held from 10am – 12.30pm on Saturday 21st December in the Century Hall, Station Road, Ashbourne. For more info see www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk/messychurch
“We’re going on a journey” “We’re going on a journey” is the theme of some special displays which help us think back to the first Christmas. The displays have been created by members of our church, and each tells part of the Christmas story The displays are open throughout December and are open to everyone to come and enjoy. Feel free to pop in and have a look around. 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.
Fish & Chips Church Join us for a sociable Fish & Chips lunch straight from the shop! Enjoy a chat, singing carols and a quiz in the ‘between time’ of Christmas and New Year, from 11.30am – 1.30pm on Monday 30th December. The cost is £5. If you’d like to come, please let us know by calling Helen on 01335 300728. Everyone is welcome!
Regular Sunday Services at 10.30am and 6.30pm
What’s your favourite Christmas Carol?
“I like Once in Royal David’s City. For me, this talks about the true meaning of Christmas”
We asked a few people from our church about their favourite Christmas Carol – here are their answers… “My favourite carol is O Come all ye Faithful, because it tells everyone to get together for this special time of year.”
“My favourite Christmas Carol is Star Carol by John Rutter as both the music and lyrics convey the message of warmth, joy and happiness at Christmas Time.”
“ My favourite carol is Away in a Manger, I have fond memories when I was a child in school at Christmas time singing this carol and hearing about baby Jesus for the first time and what a big occasion it was in school doing the nativity along with this carol”
What’s your favourite carol? Join the conversation on Facebook www.facebook.com/ashbournemethodist
Tim’s Message Tinsel, turkey and all the trimmings; peace on earth; a traditional Carol Service; snow.
What do you want for Christmas? A new iPhone; a set of saucepans; good health & happiness? But what do you really want for Christmas? What are you dreaming of? The “perfect Christmas” we are told we need - with a perfect world, perfect people, perfect families, and a perfect Christmas table fit for royalty - perhaps misses the point. Born in obscurity, in an out of the way place - vulnerable, weak, frail and fragile - comes the Christ of Christmas. Together with all our local churches, we invite you to come and share in celebrating and remembering the love at the heart of Christmas, a love that takes us as we are, accepts, welcomes and embraces us all. You will be made most welcome, 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.
Sat 21st Dec Messy Church
Throughout Advent, the church is preparing for Christmas during its services.
Sun 22nd Dec Carols by Candlelight
Our morning service at 10.30am on Sunday 22nd 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. On the evening of Sunday 22nd 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!
Sun 22nd Dec Nativity Service
Mon 24th Dec Communion Service
Mon 30th Dec Fish & Chips Church
6.30pm 11.30pm 10am 11.30am
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 Or perhaps you might find it helpful to come to one of our services?
Shining Lights We really enjoyed being part of the lantern procession organised by Ashbourne Churches Together and Ashbourne Arts on late night shopping – a great town event.
…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
Follow us on Twitter @AshbourneMC
10.30am
Tues 25th Dec Christmas Celebration
Ashbourne Methodist Church is a family church…
Email info@ashbournemethodist.org.uk Web www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk
10am