Christmas is one of the most important festivals in the Christian calendar, and here at St Luke’s, we’re looking forward to some wonderful services and social events over the festive period.
We kick off on 15 December with our church Christmas lunch after morning worship – good food surrounded by good friends. There’ll be vegetarian and meat options with all the trimmings, festive puddings and other treats. The church members creating this wonderful spread need to know how many they’re catering for, so please sign up by emailing churchchristmaslunch@gmail.com by 11 December.
That same morning is the final week when we’ll have stalls selling church members’ handmade and fairtrade gifts, from books to jewellery, and crafts to Palestinian olive oil products. So if you’ve got last minute presents to buy, bring your wallet. (Don’t forget our regular Traidcraft stall for Christmas goodies, too.)
That evening, at 8pm on 15 December, we have our annual carol service. The St Luke’s choir will lead us in singing favourite hymns and carols, and wow us with a few of their own stirring performances too. Afterwards, there’ll be mulled wine and mince pies (it’s the congregation’s responsibility to provide the mince pies, so please buy or make some extras to bring along).
The 11am service on 22 December will be given over to the children’s nativity play. The kids have been rehearsing hard for weeks, and we’ve been promised a fun and creative rendition of the Christmas story. Based on previous years’ efforts, this is not to be missed!
On 24 December at 11.30pm, we gather at St Luke’s for midnight mass. We’ll see in Christmas day with a beautiful candle-lit service, and more evocative performances from the choir. There’ll be an opportunity to remember and pray for absent friends, who we often miss more than ever at this time of year.
Finally, on Christmas morning, there’ll be a family service at 10.30am (earlier than usual, so you can get home to put the dinner on). It’s a joyous all-age gathering to kick off the big day with a celebration of the true meaning of Christmas.
Whether you’re a regular at St Luke’s, an occasional visitor or you’ve never joined us before, you’ll find a warm welcome at all our services over the festive period. Season’s greetings to everyone in the parish of St Luke’s, West Holloway – and beyond.