Advent is here and with it brings lots of exciting news to update you on from us here at Ascension.
We will be extremely busy throughout December as we welcome local pre-schools and schools into our building for special services, and our Christmas events and services bring many visitors through our doors too. Please pray for all those who come to Ascension this month, that they would experience a warm welcome and a sense of peace here with us.
Eco Church Silver award
We are excited to announce that, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our GrACE group and the creation-focused commitments made by our PCC and staff team, we have been awarded an Eco Church Silver Award! For more information please see the Eco Church website: ecochurch.arocha.org.uk or to get involved see the GrACE Group page on our website. Well done and thank you to all those involved in helping us achieve this award.
Alpha Course
Our next Alpha course will be starting on January 24th, please do pray about who you could be inviting to this course. For more details and to sign up please see our Alpha page.
Scooch
Scooch is back! Our after school drop-in for anyone of secondary school age is back up and running. Come and join Jo and Luke after school each Wednesday during term time for doughnuts, hot chocolate and games. Find out more on the Scooch event page
Townhill Christmas Presence – Thank you!
Our Townhill Presence event blessed around 33 families (approximately 100 children) with gifts! Thank you for your generosity in supporting this event and to all those who came as volunteers. Leftover gifts will be donated to Women’s Refuge and Ukrainian families so nothing is wasted.
Christmas Day Lunch
Siara (formerly Ruth) and Alex are hosting a lunch on Christmas day at Ascension for anyone who would otherwise be on their own this Christmas. Please get in touch with Siara (07484 617871) if that’s you!
(Suggested donation £5, which will go towards Church Army).
EDGE Christmas Party
Come and celebrate Jesus’ birthday with us at EDGE on Sunday 17th December, 4.00 – 6.00 pm at Townhill Park Community Centre. There will be fun, games and party food. All are welcome! Get in touch with Siara if you would like to find out more or are able to help out at this event siara@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk
Special Christmas Services at Ascension
All the details of our Christmas services can be found on our website, on flyers by the welcome desk in the church and below, Please do invite your friends, neighbours and colleagues to join us for one or all of these special services:
Sunday 10th December, 6.00 pm Carols by Candlelight
A candlelit service with Christmas carols and music from our Ascension musicians, with mulled wine, mince pies and other festive refreshments to enjoy together after the service.
Sunday 17th December, 10.45 am service Nativity
During our 10.45 am service our children and congregation will be exploring the Christmas story together. Expect a very family friendly service with a degree of chaos and fun! (N.B. The 9 am service will continue as usual if you prefer a calmer and more traditional service).
Sunday 24th December, 4.00 pm Crib Service
An action packed Christmas service for all ages which revolves around the story of the birth of Jesus. Children are encouraged to come dressed up in their best nativity costumes.(N.B. There will be no 10.45 am service on this day but the 9 am service will continue as usual).
Sunday 24th December, 11.30 pm Christmas Eve—Midnight Communion
Join us as we celebrate communion together in a traditional Christmas service with carols.
Monday 25th December, 10.00 am Christmas Day Service
An all-age service as we celebrate Christmas! All are welcome – expect contemporary worship with some carols, and lots of fun for all ages.
Sunday 31st December, 9am New Years Day Service
A more traditional reflective service with communion. There are no children’s groups at this service, though children are welcome to attend. Expect a liturgical service, where we follow the service using written instructions in service booklets with a talk.(N.B. There will be no 10:45 service on New Years Day).
For all our other upcoming events, don’t forget to keep an eye on the events page of our website.
Finally, in all the busyness of the Christmas season, we pray that you are able to find moments of peace to reflect on the wonder of Gods love for each and every one of us.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
With love and prayers,
Ascension Staff Team