14th December 2025
By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 20 December 2025
Hello everyone,
Our Christmas celebrations have begun with the usual splendid variety of the Community Carol Service on Thursday followed by the Christmas Afternoon Tea today and, for me, six visits to schools and one visit by a school to church! This weekend we have the annual Christians in Corby Carol Service and outreach in the Town Centre (outside McDonald’s) at 11am on Saturday. Then on Sunday we have a service at St Columba’s for the third Sunday of Advent, a Christmas Family Service at St Leonard’s and the last Prayer Meeting of the year at 6pm. Although the coming week is less busy, even the Romans Course has come to an end (but do look out for details of a new course in the New Year) we do have Carols, Mulled Wine and Mince Pies in Rockingham Village Hall on Thursday evening, and lots more Christmas Services (all detailed below) on Sunday 21st and over Christmas. Do make a note of all the dates and times, think who you could invite along, and plan to be at as many of these services as possible – it is good news that Jesus, the Light of the World, was born on the first Christmas, and good news is worth celebrating.
CAROLS IN THE CENTRE
An opportunity for Christians in Corby to come together, to sing some of our favourite Christmas carols and be reminded of the wonder of the original Christmas story. Saturday 13th December 11am outside McDonald’s in the Town Centre.
SUNDAY 14th DECEMBER
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s.- Nativity rehearsals continue for the children. This service can be watched on YouTube here:
https://youtube.com/live/_jQolTkVwyc?feature=share
3pm FAMILY SERVICE at St Leonard’s, Rockingham – everyone welcome to join us in the special surroundings of St Leonard’s for this Christmas themed service.
6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s.
LODGE PARK ACADEMY CHRISTMAS DINNER
Thank you to everyone who booked to go to Lodge Park, I am pleased to say that all our spaces have been filled. You need to be at the school for 2pm on Monday. Do let me know if you can’t go or have any problems getting there.
ALL OUR CHRISTMAS SERVICES:
Thursday 18th December
7pm – Carols, Mince Pies & Mulled Wine in Rockingham Village Hall – everyone welcome to a relaxed evening of worship in good company.
Sunday 21st December
10.30am – Nativity: after all the rehearsals this is the performance we have been waiting for. Do come along with family and friends to share the children’s excitement.
6pm – Carols by Candlelight: the church lit by candles, the familiar words of carols and the Christmas story, what could be more Christmassy?
Christmas Eve
4.30pm – Christingle: always a joyful occasion with a full church, lots of meaningful oranges, and “Away in a Manger” by the light of our Christingle candles.
11.15pm – Midnight Communion: the traditional way to begin Christmas, with carols, communion and an inspiring message.
Christmas Day
10am – All Age Communion at St Columba’s: an opportunity for the church family to come together to celebrate the joy of Christmas, with carols, communion and news of presents…
11am Holy Communion at Rockingham: a more traditional Christmas morning service with carols.
CHARITY OF THE WEEK – Home Start, Corby
Home-Start is a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under five years of age. Home-Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support. We help families with children under five with practical and confidential support. “Being a parent can be lonely, frustrating and overwhelming”, Home-start is there for families when they need it the most, because childhood can’t wait. The earliest years make a big difference, Home-Start helps to make those years count, so no child’s future is limited.
Our donations help Home Start to be able to give Christmas presents to families here in Corby who would otherwise miss out. Please give thanks for their work, pray for all those they work with, and for each child who will receive a Christmas gift because of our donation.
May God bless you all,
Ian
01536 400225
07903 644609