Christmas 2021

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

Sunday 26 December

11.00 Walk and Worship.  Meet at 11am on The Green

 

For covid-19 update – click here

Christmas

Jesus, born to be King. God with us. Come to show us God’s love. On a mission to rescue us and bring us his life. A king worth knowing and worth following.

We’d love to welcome you face-to-face to our Christmas services at St Michael’s this year to find out more about this King.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Christmas Eve Christingle Service 3pm St Michael’s Centre

Christmas Eve Midnight Communion 11.15pm St Michael’s Church

Christmas Day All Age Communion 10am St Michael’s Centre

Our Christmas Eve Communion at 11.15pm is live streamed as well as our 10am Christmas Day Celebration. Our 3pm Christingle is in-person only

click on the image for more details
click on the image to book your place!
click on the image for more details

Advent 2022

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:

Action Advent from LICC – download an Advent Calendar full of ways to make a difference.

Lectio 365 and Family Advent from 24-7 Prayer.

There are also lots of Reading Plans on YouVersion – this one comes recommended: 21 Gifts of Advent.

If there is something that you’re enjoying using, why not share it on the Connect Facebook group?

Whatever you choose during this season of Advent, here is a prayer for us all:






Christmas Fair

Our Christmas Fair is on Saturday 26 November starting at 11am. Father Christmas is coming, there will be lots of fun and games and children’s crafts and opportunities to browse and buy lovely unique Christmas gifts. Our Coffee Shop will also be opening for welcome refreshment.

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.

Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes 2022

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)

And you can also find out more on the Operation Christmas Child Website.

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

Download gift suggestions here

Please drop off your boxes in church or St Michael’s Centre ready for collection by Sunday 20 November.

At the heart of Christmas

We all love a good story right? I was given a birthday gift of a poster that contained a ‘bucket list’ of a hundred films that simply must be seen before departing this life!

From James Bond to the marvel universe, movies convey stories of hope, rescue, love and redemption.

And right at the heart of a good story is the hero. Batman, Spiderman, Ironman, Captain Marvel and Black widow. All captivate us with their flawed natures and flowing capes.

At the heart of Christmas is another hero. A hero unlike any other. A hero with no flaws or failings. A hero who gave His name to the festival. A hero who would lay down His life for his friends. A hero who could not be defeated by death.

This Christmas I am praying this prayer: “Lord Jesus, may I find space in the middle of this busy, chaotic, celebratory Christmas season to make You my hero once more.”

Have a lovely Christmas and a restful new year,

God bless,

Revd Canon Simon Jones

Click here for all the info you need about our Christmas services.

Advent Photo Challenge

Starting on Wednesday 1 December 2021, take a photo each day until Christmas, using the daily prompts. Share on social media with #StMAdvent2021

How to get involved

Playing along is really simple! Just look at the list each day and take a photo using the prompt as inspiration. So, for example, Day 1 is Light, so all you have to do is take a photo of something that represents light to you.
You can then share your photo on either Facebook or Instagram or both! To share on Instagram, just upload with the hashtag #StMAdvent2021 and you’re done (more details below if you need them though), and to share on Facebook, upload to your personal page or head to the special Facebook group and share there.

How to Share on Instagram

Simply upload the photo to Instagram, add a caption (you could mention the day and the prompt in the caption), add the hashtag #StMAdvent2021 and then publish. You can also tag the St Michael’s Instagram page.
Check out the #StMAdvent2021 hashtag to see all the other photos. Like them and comment on them, encourage each other and take inspiration.

Check out some of the latest Instagram posts here

How to Share on Facebook

Join the Facebook Group. Upload the photo in the group and then publish. Alternatively you can just share on your personal page.
Check out the photos shared in the group, or amongst your friends. Comment, like and be part of the photo-taking community. Share amongst your friends and tag in St Michael’s page.

How to Share on Twitter

Post your photo and use the Hashtag #StMAdvent2021 , you can also tag us @stMichaelsSG

Click here to see the latest tweets

How to Remember the Prompts

Print out the list, save it as your screensaver or save it to your camera roll. You can also revisit this webpage.

Disclaimer

We would love to be able to share some of your photos during advent, including on the pre-service visuals. By sharing your photos on the hashtag in Instagram, and/or in the Facebook Group, you are consenting to the possible subsequent sharing of your image on St Michael’s digital media ( website/social media/visuals during services).

At the heart of Christmas

Our Christmas theme this year – ‘At the heart of Christmas’ – seems like such an appropriate focus for us to reflect on as we come towards the end of what has been another difficult and challenging year, living with the realities and restrictions that    Covid-19 has brought.  When so much that was ‘normal’ was stripped away from our Christmas celebrations last year, we are all hoping for better things this year as we plan and prepare for Christmas – albeit in the ‘open-handed’ way we have all had to learn to live with. But this simple reminder that ‘At the heart of Christmas’ lies a baby – a baby born over 2,000 years ago, but a baby whose life can breathe life, give meaning, bring hope to our hearts in a way that really can make a difference to us here, today.

And nothing – not even Covid-19 – can take that reality away! To help us know the reality for ourselves, there are online Advent and Christmas resources available from the Church of England, and also our own online Advent Calendar

We are hoping and praying that we will be able to celebrate Christmas together as church in our communities with the full range of carol services and events that has been planned.  Do take a look at the enclosed flyer that gives details of what is happening, where and when – and come along in-person (please wear a face-covering for indoor events and services) or join in online. We would love to share our celebrations with you!

And the really good news is that Jesus doesn’t just make an appearance at Christmas…   He will journey with us into the new year, whatever that might hold for us.  And there are lots of opportunities for you to join in the life of the church as we live out our vision of ‘Living to make a difference by being a Christian heart at the centre of our communities’.  Do check out what’s on and consider yourself warmly invited to those things that might be of interest.  

Finally, please be assured of our love and prayers for you as we celebrate Christmas this year; we’d love to share it with you along the way!   And may God bless you and keep you in His love and care.

All-age Nativity on 12 December

Please join us and join in our all -age nativity.

We invite everyone (including adults) to come dressed as:

Mary, Joseph, Angels, Shepherd & animals (sheep/donkeys etc). Anything goes!

There will be some moving around when in the auditorium.

Look forward to seeing you there

Tom, Emma & Sam