PLYMOUTH CHURCHES - CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR EVENTS:
CITY CENTRE:
The Minster Church of St Andrew:
20th December at 6:30pm – Carols by Candlelight.
24th Dec at 2:30pm and 4pm – Christingle Services. 11:30pm – Midnight Communion.
25th Dec at 8:00am – BCP Holy Communion. 10:00am – Christmas Celebration (with Communion) Contact St Andrew’s office on 01752 661414
Plymouth Methodist Central Hall, Drake Circus
20th Dec 11am Morning worship, 3.30pm Nativity with live animals in the car park! 5pm Carol service
24th Dec 11.15pm Midnight Holy Communion and Carols
25th Dec 11am Christmas Day Praise for everyone.
Plymouth Christian Centre, Embankment Rd,
20th Dec 6.30pm – Christingle Service
24th Dec 6.30pm – Carols by candlelight
Congress Hall Salvation Army, Armada Way:
21st Dec 5.00 PM Carols by Candlelight,
25th Dec 10.15 AM family worship
CATHEDRAL PARISH
Cathedral:
24th Dec 4.30pm - Children’s Christmas Service. 11.30pm Carols and readings with Christmas Midnight Mass at 12 midnight
25th Dec - Masses at: 8 am and 10 am
26th Dec - Mass at 10 am
Christ the King:
24th Dec - Carols at 5.30pm. Vigil Mass of Christmas at 6 pm
St Joseph’s:
24th Dec- Carols at 7.30pm. Vigil Mass of Christmas at 8pm
St John’s, Exeter St
24th Dec 11.30pm – Midnight Mass
25th Dec 10am – Holy Communion
CROWNHILL:
Crownhill Methodist Church:
20th Dec 4pm. Community Carols by Candlelight
24th Dec 9am - 12noon. Carol-singing in Crownhill village in aid of Action for Children. Followed by mince pies and hot drinks in the church hall. Come and join us!
24th Dec 3pm Christingle service for all the family. 11.30pm Christmas Eve Communion service.
25th Dec 10.30am Christmas Day Family Service.
COMPTON:
Compton Methodist Church, PL3 5LF
20th Dec 6.30pm - Carols by Candlelight
24TH Dec 4pm - A Gruffalo Crib Service
25th Dec 9.30 - Merry Christmas Morning!
DERRIFORD:
Derriford Church (URC) Powisland Drive
20th Dec 10.30am “Nativity Service” led by our youth. 7.00pm “Carols by Candlelight” followed by refreshments.
24th Dec 11.30pm “Midnight Communion”
25th Dec 10.00am “Christmas Day Family Service” followed at 12.30pm (approx.) Christmas Lunch for anyone who wants to come. To Book 07948 408196 helps us cater.
27th Dec 10.30am “Morning Service”
DEVONPORT:
Devonport Community Baptist Church, Welcome Hall PL1 4DN,
19th Dec 11am Carol singing in Malborough St.
20th Dec 6pm Carols by candlelight CAFÉ Church in Welcome Hall
21st Dec 6.30pm Joint service in Devonport Park
25th Dec 10am Celebrate the birth of Christ at Welcome Hall
Contact -
Salvation Army Life House, Devonport Rd
24th Dec 6pm Carol service by candle light, followed by mince pies and non-alcoholic mulled wine
EFFORD:
St Paul's Efford.
20th Dec 10am - Family Nativity. 4pm - Carol Service
24th Dec 4pm - Crib and Christingle (aimed at children). Midnight Communion 11.15pm
ESTOVER:
Christchurch, Leypark Walk
24th Dec 11.30pm - Midnight Communion
25th Dec 10 am - Family Service
25th Jan 2016 3pm - Taize Service
Contact Jan – T: 780380
GREENBANK:
City Church, meeting @ Open Doors International Language School. PL4 8QL
20 Dec 10.30 am - Informal Christmas celebration (Carols, Readings and fun) followed by lunch together (visitors need bring nothing).
Contact Julian Friday 07940 870288
HONICKNOWLE:
Vineyard Church @ All Saints Academy (PL5 3NE)
20th December 6pm - Carol Service
KEYHAM:
Pilgrim Church, St Levan Rd
20th Dec 10.30am - Messy Church Nativity service.
24th Dec 11.30pm - Midnight Carols by Candlelight including Holy Communion.
LAIRA:
St Mary’s Church, Federation Rd
25th Dec 10am – Holy Communion and Carols
MANNAMEAD:
Emmanuel Parish Church, Mannamead Rd
20th Dec 6.30pm Carols by Candle-light
24th Dec 4pm Crib service for the children. Midnight Communion 11.15pm
25th Dec 10.30am Family communion
MUTLEY:
Mutley Baptist Church
20th Dec 10.30am Children’s nativity – Shepherds, Angels, donkeys – the lot! 6.30pm Carols by candlelight – All your favourites, done the good ol’ way.
24th Dec 11.15pm – A quiet moment to reflect before the big day.
25th Dec 10.301am – A short celebratory family service
RCCG Overcomers House, Davie Hall, 1 Clifton Place, North Hill Road
31st Dec 10:00pm - Communion/ Crossover Night Service
NORTH PROSPECT
Morice Baptist Church, corner of Ham Drive and North Prospect Road
20th Dec 10.45.a.m.Messy church service suitable for all ages including craft ideas stories and songs with a scratch nativity and a real baby in the manger!
6.30pm Candlelight Family Carol service including the Girls Brigade performing their nativity play.
24th Dec 11.15p.m. Midnight Communion Service
25th Dec 10.30 am Family service – bring a present to unwrap during the morning service
27th Dec 10.45am - What’s Christmas meant to you this year – an impromptu service of readings, carols and comments.
3rd Jan 10.45.a.m. Covenant Service with communion
Contact - David Evans 01752 207817
PENNYCROSS
St. Pancras Church, Pennycross
20th Dec 6:30pm Carols by Candlelight - Start Christmas week with an evening service of carols and readings by the glow of candlelight.
22nd Dec 10:30am - Café Carols, join us for mince pies and carol singing in the café.
24th Dec 4:00pm - Messy Church at Christmas. Explore the meaning of Christmas at this fun service for all the family, with familiar carols, crafts and a Christingle to take home. 11:30pm - Midnight Communion. Welcome Christmas morning with a traditional service of Holy Communion.
25th Dec 10:30am - Christmas All-Age Celebration. Celebrate Christmas Day with this informal and friendly service for all the family.
Pennycross Methodist Church, Pridham Lane
20th Dec 4pm - Family Carol Service
25th Dec 10am - Family Service
Contact Rev'd Kate Konrad Plymouth 656740
PEVERELL:
St Gabriel’s Church, Peverell Tce
24th Dec 3pm – Children’s Crib service
25th Dec 10am – Holy Communion and Carols
ST BUDEAUX:
St Budeaux Baptist -
20th Dec 10:30am - The Explorers Christmas family service. 6pm Carols by Candlelight
25th Dec 10:00am -Christmas service
contact :
St Boniface Church St Budeaux
20th Dec 10.00 service of Lessons and Carols
24th Dec 23.30 Midnight Mass
27th Dec 10.00 - Holy Communion with carols
St Budeaux Methodist Church
24th Dec between 7 and 8pm Drop-in: Continuous Silent Communion
25th Dec 9am ‘Combined church’ Christmas Day Celebration
21st December 6pm - Community Carols @ St Budeaux Community Centre
Churches Together in St Budeaux
19th Dec 4-6pm Messy Church @ Methodist Church
25th Dec 09.00 Joint Family service; Anglican & Methodist at the Methodist Church
Contact for the above: Rev'd Kate Konrad 656740 or Rev'd Alison Shaw 369140
Holy Trinity RC St Budeaux:
24th Dec 5pm – St. Paul’s. 6.30pm - Holy Redeemer. 11.30pm - Carols at St. Paul’s followed by Midnight Mass.
25th Dec – Holy Family at 10am.
Contact - 01752 361161 or email
ST JUDES
St Jude’s Parish church, Beaumont Road PL4 9BJ
20th Dec 6pm Carols by Candlelight
24th Dec 4pm Family Christmas. 11.30pm Midnight Communion
25th Dec 10.30am Christmas Day Communion
STONEHOUSE:
St. Paul's Parish, Dunford Rd
20th Dec 10am-1pm - Messy Church Crib Service for all the family, with a Christmas lunch.
24th Dec 11.30pm - Midnight Communion
25th Dec 10am - Christmas Service.
Contact Rev Leon
STOKE:
St Michael’s Parish Church, Albert Rd
20th December 4.00pm Candlelit Carol Service
24th December 11.00pm Midnight Communion
25th December 9.00am Holy Communion
St Barnabas Parish Church, Wilton Street
24th December 4.00pm Crib service
Contact - Rev Tim Buckley 01752 666544
Stoke Methodist:
Morning Worship at 10.30am on 20th, led by Rev Simon Leigh.
In the evening at 6pm a Carol Festival with the wonderful Laira Youth Band
Christmas Day at 10.30am, Morning Worship led by me - Rev Alison Richardson and Sunday 27th Morning Worship at 10.30am led by me too...... Thanks very much, Alison ps I am not at Mount Gould anymore, I have Stoke, Cornerstone and Millbrook
WIDEWELL:
New Life Fellowship, Widewell Primary School.
20th Dec 10.30am – Family Christmas Service, with Carols, Readings and nativity. Adults dress Christmassy, Children dress Nativity. All Welcome.
27th Dec 10.30am – Café church, Christmas & New Year reflection
Contact Keith T:788743
PLYMPTON:
20th Dec 6:00pm Carols around the camp fire (with snow machine)-Living Well Church
20thDec6:30pmCandlelitCarols -Ridgeway Methodist Church
20thDec 6:30pmCarolService - PlymptonStMauriceParishChurch
23rd Dec 6:30pmCarols outsidetheDonkeyShed,- Underwood Chapel
24th Dec 4:00pmChristingle - PlymptonStMauriceParishChurch
24th Dec 4:00pm CribService - St Marys
24th Dec 8:30pm Carols; 9:00pmMassinEnglish - Our LadyofLourdesRCChurch
24th Dec 10:30pm FirstCommunionofChristmas- PlymptonStMauriceParishChurch
24thDec11:15pm MidnightHolyCommunion - Ridgeway Methodist Church
24th Dec 11:45pm MidnightMass11.45pm- St Marys
24th Dec 12:00am MassinPolish - Our LadyofLourdesRCChurch
25th Dec 8:00am HolyCommunion - St Marys
25th Dec 10:00amHolyCommunion -St Marys
25th Dec 10:00amSungEucharist - PlymptonStMauriceParishChurch
25thDec10:00amFamilyFriendlyWorship - Ridgeway Methodist Church
25th Dec 10:00amMass -Our LadyofLourdesRCChurch
25th Dec 10:15amFamilyService - Underwood Chapel
26th Dec 9:00am Mass -Our LadyofLourdesRCChurch
27th Dec 10:30am Onesie family celebration -Living Well Church
PLYMSTOCK:
Hooe Baptist Church PL9 9QS
20th December 6.00pm 'Carols By Candlelight’
25th December 10.00 am Christmas Day Service
31st December 11.30 pm Watch Night Service
Contact Rev Vanessa Appleton (01752) 404093
Plymstock Chapel, Church Rd
20th Dec 11am Family Service : speaker Gary Streeter MP.
6pm Carol Service, followed by tea or coffee, mince pies & cream
25th Dec 10.30amChristmas Meditation
Colin Hunns T: 62122
Plymstock United Church, 70-74 Plymstock Road
20th Dec 5:00pm - Traditional Carol Service
24th Dec 11:30pm - Candlelit Communion
25th Dec 10:30am - Birthday Celebration for All-Ages
Contact Paul – E:
For details of these and all events, visit www.ctip.org.uk
PAUSE FOR THOUGHT: The Wonder of Christmas
Christmas - when twinkling lights appear and brighten dark days; our concentration is lifted from the routine to works parties and family gatherings. It is a lovely season, but the true wonder is found of course, in its origin – A cataclysmic event, which the world largely missed! At Christmas, God intervened in human affairs, offering salvation, redemption and restoration to the human race. The Bible says, ‘He came to his own, but his own did not receive him. But to as many as did receive him, to them gave he the right to become the children of God (John1:12). Why did they miss his significance then? And why do we miss his significance now? Why – because He did SO MUCH MORE; and so unexpectedly! He was born to be King, so why in a stable and not a Palace? His birth wasn’t announced by TV, newspaper or even a town crier; but by a canopy of Angels. They thought he would be King of Israel, but He came to be King of Kings. They thought he would establish his Kingdom in Jerusalem, but He came to establish His Kingdom in people’s lives. They thought he would conquer the tyranny of the Romans, but He conquered the tyranny of sin and death. They thought He would restore the broken nation, but he came to restore broken hearts. Whatever they thought Jesus would do, He did so much more!
So Christmas - ‘Tis the season to be Jolly’ – is really just a lot of ‘Tra-la-la-la-la’… ‘Tis the season to be holy is more what the Angels sang. So just in case you have been diverted, getting presents you don’t want for people you don’t like with money you don’t have; consider a lovely verse from Isaiah9, ‘The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light’. Jesus’ light doesn’t depend on watts – yet He outshines all fairy lights; it lasts for eternity (outpacing Duracell); and it illuminates our hearts and mind rather than our homes and streets. Sometimes we have to be in a dark place to take notice of His light, but when we do and when we ‘Receive Him - with the right to become Children of God’; then we know we’ll never walk alone. As the Carol says, “How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him still, The dear Christ enters in”. Have an unexpected treat this year, put Christ into your Christmas and into your heart… ‘Jolly’ lifts us for a moment. ‘Holy’ lifts us for eternity, into the presence of God, giving us the peace of God and a place in the everlasting Kingdom of God – don’t miss out on that!
If you want to know more about Jesus, find out at a church near you, or visit our website: www.ctip.org.uk
FEATURE A MINISTRY:
Crossline Christian Counselling Service: Telephone 01752 666777
Offers a '24/7' telephone service by trained listeners or personal counselling, to those of all faiths or none, in a non-judgemental way, offering a listening ear. It started when the film “The Exorcist” was shown; and some people were disturbed by the images; and one Plymouth man set out to help any distressed by the film. Gordon Wright gave cards to filmgoers as they left the cinema offering a phone number to anyone who needed to talk. In the first week over one hundred phoned, but not all as a response to the film; others who were lonely or struggling also lifted the phone and dialled. It was obvious there was a need, to listen to those who phoned; thus Crossline was born.
There are now Crossline centres across England, all of them autonomous and developing services appropriate to their areas, but they also work together on a call-sharing scheme to form a National Christian Helpline. This has meant that we are able to answer a greater number of calls. It later developed to include a professional counselling service to those who needed more than the listening service. Forty years later Crossline continues to offer its invaluable services. People’s needs have changed, but the need for a listening line and counselling support is as important as ever. “Hello, this is Crossline. How can I help you?”
The Counselling Service will be closed from the 23rd December until the 1st January, but the Listening Line will be open every day from 9 am until midnight on 01752 666777 or 0300 111 0101. This service is open to anyone who would like to talk to someone.