We have lots going on at the start of December/Advent that we want to let you know about!
Wreath Making
We had two wonderful evenings this week at our wreath making workshops. We welcomed over 160 people from the community into our building, many for their first time. Both evenings were filled with friendship, community and creativity. Thank you to all who came, to all who helped out and to all who prayed over the events – they were a great success and helped raise lots of money towards our youth work here at Ascension too!
Advent Quiet Day
Tomorrow (Saturday 30th December), we will be opening the worship space up between 10am and 3pm for a Quiet Day. The theme is around ‘Preparing for Advent’ and offers an opportunity to come aside and spend time experiencing the presence of God in silence and to help mark the season of Advent. There will be prayer stations, creative opportunities and space for personal contemplation. Please sign up to let us know if you planning to attend.
Kids Christmas Party and informal Christingle
There will be no 10:45 service on 1st December, instead we will be holding a Kid and Youth Christmas Party with an informal Christingle for our families at 10:45. All are very much invited but this will primarily be aimed at young families. We will have our 9am service of Holy Communion as normal so we would love anyone who would usually attend our 10:45am service to come along to this.
Carols by Candlelight
We will be holing our Carols by Candlelight service on Sunday 1st December at 6pm. Please do come, invite your friends and join us for an evening of carols and bible readings. We will be serving mulled wine, mulled non-alcoholic apple and mince pies after the service, so do stay on for that.
Carols at the Hub
Join us for a Celebration of Christmas as we light up the Tree of Hope on Sunday 8th December at 4pm outside the EDGE Hub in Townhill Park . There will be Mulled Wine, Hot Chocolate, and Festive Treats. All are welcome.
Ascension Christmas Party – Saturday 14th Dec, 6-10pm
If you haven’t already booked your tickets – we would love you to join us at our Christmas Party this year – whatever your age or stage you are so very welcome. We’ll have canapes and drinks on arrival, a sit down two-course meal, dancing, photo opportunities, activities for the kids and a very festive atmosphere Book your tickets via our website or church office. These events don’t happen without an amazing team of helpers! If you are able to help out at the event at all or are able to bring a pudding along then please do get in touch with Lizi – lizi@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk, thank you!
The Christmas Presence
We are running The Christmas Presence event again this year. This initiative allows us to bless local families that are struggling financially this Christmas. This year the event will run slightly differently with families in need being able to request presents for their children – do speak to Ruth to find out more ruth@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk . Donations to this event are welcome either on Sunday or via the website.
Christmas Eve / Day Services
Crib Service, 24th December, 4pm – A Family friendly Christmas Service—come dressed as your favourite nativity character.
Midnight Communion, 24th December, 11:30pm – Traditional Service with carols and communion.
Christmas Day Service, 25th December, 10am – Join us for a service for all ages with carols and communion.
Alpha
We will be running a 10 week Alpha course in the New Year, starting on Wednesday 15th January. Alpha is a series of group conversations that freely explore the basics of the Christian faith in an open, friendly environment over a meal. No matter your background or beliefs, you’re welcome. Get in touch with bev@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk to find out more or if you are willing to help prepare a meal for one of the weeks.
Other dates for your diary:
EDGE+ (Townhill Park Community Centre) Sundays 8th & 22nd December 4- 6pm. Friendship, support, games, craft and stories of Jesus.
Half Hour of Prayer for Townhill Park Wednesday 4th Dec 10:30-11am. Time of prayer for Townhill Park community at 18 Witts Hill, SO18 4QF
Prayer Walk. Sunday 15th December 7 – 8pm. Join us to pray for our parish. We will meet at 7pm outside Ascension to walk and pray together.
Finally, amongst all the busyness we want to leave with you with a verse from Isaiah 9:6 to remind us of what we are preparing for: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
God Bless,
Ascension Staff Team