No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
John 1.18
Our Christmas theme this year is At the Heart of Christmas. The theme is an invitation to everyone to discover – or rediscover – the good news of God’s saving love as revealed in the birth of Jesus. It is also a challenge to each of us to ponder in our hearts – as Mary did – what the extraordinary events of the first Christmas might mean for us now and in the years ahead.
We are thankful to still be able to meet in person for our Christmas services and events.
Face coverings are a legal requirement in our buildings (unless you are exempt).
In line with government advice, even if you do not have symptoms, please take a lateral flow test before attending any of our services or events.
If you do test positive with a lateral flow or feel ill, please do not attend.
We look forward to worshipping Jesus together, in-person and online.
Christmas Services
for themes, readings and speakers for Sundays in December – see here
Christmas Eve
15.00 Crib Service – St Michael’s Centre – in-person only
23.15 Midnight Communion – St Michael’s Church BOOKING ESSENTIAL CLICK HERE TO BOOK
Christmas Day
10.00 All Age Christmas Celebration- St Michael’s Centre – in-person and online
We’re taking a Christmas Float to the New Housing Areas of Cheswick, Brooklands Park and Scholars Chase!
Tuesday 5 December Starting at Cheswick Square at 6pm – Father Christmas will be there and we will all sing a couple of festive Christmas Carols before the float sets off! Wednesday 6 December – starting near Crest Nicholson show home Clover Way, at 6pm. Friday 8 December – starting at Stoke Gifford Retirement Village Car Park at 6pm.
We’d love to see your photos of the float – so why not share them on social media and tag us in, or send them to welcome@stmichaelsbristol.org.
Our Christmas theme this year is The Great Invitation. It’s an invitation to last a lifetime: to follow our Lord Jesus Christ. Over the next few weeks, we will be exploring this in short video reflections. We’ll be led weekly in turn by Vicky Wicks, Tom Benyon, Julie Hobbs, and Simon Jones.
Week 4
For our final reflection, Simon shares how the wise men experienced the Great Invitation.
Week 3
Join Licensed Lay Minister Julie Hobbs for our reflection this week,as we think about the shepherds and how they reacted to their Great Invitation
Week 2
This week we join Tom for our Advent Reflection as he shares about the role of Joseph in the Christmas story
Week 1
For our first reflection, Vicky Wicks reflects on how Mary must have felt at her own invitation….
Our Christmas theme this year is The Great Invitation. It’s an invitation to last a lifetime: to follow our Lord Jesus Christ. Over the next few weeks, we will be exploring this in short video reflections. We’ll be led weekly in turn by Vicky Wicks, Tom Benyon, Julie Hobbs, and Simon Jones. Click here.
New Housing Areas Christmas Float
We took a Christmas Float to the New Housing Areas of Cheswick, Brooklands Park and Scholars Chase!
Christmas is often the time of year when we feel nostalgic and think of years gone by. We were recently given a copy of this notice sheet from 52 years ago, Christmas 1971! We’ve enjoyed looking at it, so thought we would share it! Click here to see it
The Great Invitation – A Christmas Message from Revd Canon Simon Jones.
This year’s Christmas Fair is on Saturday 25 November, starting at 11am. Father Christmas has the date in his diary, and the Coffee Shop will be open for yummy refreshments. Our magnificent cake stall will be returning too! We have lots of stalls with handmade gifts to browse and buy, children’s crafts and fun and games for everyone!
See you there!
We seek to promote quality local craftspeople, and aim to limit the number of duplicate stalls to ensure a good breadth of items for sale and to be fair to stallholders. Tables are £15. If you would like a table, or have any questions, please contact us for a booking form.
Every year we take part in Operation Christmas Child – making up for shoeboxes of gifts for children worldwide. This is the world’s largest children’s Christmas project and is run by Samaritans Purse. It’s a great way to show God’s love in a tangible way to help needy children.
Click here for information on how to pack a shoebox. We will also soon have leaflets available in Church and St Michael’s Centre.
Tougher import regulations mean no toothpaste, chocolate or sweets as shoebox gifts. Let’s think creatively by adding other fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items that a child will love. More ideas here or download gift suggestions here.
Please drop off your boxes in church or St Michael’s Centre ready for collection by Sunday 13 November.
What are you doing in Advent? Do you have an advent calendar or candle? Perhaps you are reading a book of reflections, or signed up to receive devotional emails from a Christian organisation?
There are lots of different resources and options for us to tap into during this time, and here are just a couple:
Every year we take part in Operation Christmas Child – making up for shoeboxes of gifts for children worldwide. This is the world’s largest children’s Christmas project and is run by Samaritans Purse. It’s a great way to show God’s love in a tangible way to help needy children.
Click here for information on how to pack a shoebox . We also have leaflets available in Church and St Michael’s Centre, as well as some flat pack boxes ( first come first served on the boxes)
Tougher import regulations mean no toothpaste, chocolate or sweets as shoebox gifts. Let’s think creatively by adding other fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items that a child will love. You can now include knitted items and 4 suited playing cards. More ideas here
We’re so excited to bring Comfort and Joy to the Drive-in this Christmas time!
We had a fantastic time for Drive-in Carols at Sainsbury’s Car Park on Sunday 20 December 2020
Thank you for your dontations on the night. We are donating just over £750 to Caring at Christmas.
HOW TO BOOK:
There are two identical services. One at 6.30pm and one at 8pm. Please book for the service you want to attend, tickets are not transferable.
Please note there will be no toilet facilities on site.
This event is intended as Drive-in only.
After you have booked, please watch out for a further email on the Friday before the event.
PLEASE NOTE: Your booking is per car. You add names of people attending at the next stage of the booking.
Please note: this event is compliant with Government guidance and a full risk assessment has been undertaken. You must only attend with members of your own household/support bubble and keep socially distanced from others
