30th November 2025
By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 5 December 2025
Hello everyone,
Thank you to everyone who helped with the Christmas Fayre last Saturday. In spite of the miserable weather we had a wonderful time with an amazing number of people coming along. We raised just over £1000 for the church which is a magnificent total – thank you all.
Below you will find details of upcoming services and other events happening as we move into Advent and closer to Christmas. In particular can I draw your attention to our Advent Praise service on Sunday evening at 5pm and our Community Carol Service on Thursday 11th December at 6pm, when we are joined by choirs from local schools. Do also make a note of two events happening in town: the Christmas Market and Carols in the Park on Saturday 6th December and Carols in the Centre on Saturday 13th December – all the details below.
SUNDAY 30th NOVEMBER
10.30am MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children who will continue rehearsals for the NATIVITY. The service will be available to watch on YouTube here:
5pm ADVENT PRAISE at St Columba’s – a service with plenty of Advent hymns and songs, and warm fellowship.
ROMANS COURSE
The ROMANS COURSE continues on Wednesday morning at 10.30am and evening at 7.30pm, both groups meeting in the church. In the meantime don’t forget the “homework”, to read Romans chapters 13 and 14.
CHRISTMAS MARKET & CAROLS IN THE PARK
This is happening on Saturday 6th December from 11am to 4pm in Coronation Park, with Christmas Market Stalls, Street Food, Flyby Bars, Choirs and Music, plus children’s crafting in the pavilion.
SUNDAY 7th DECEMBER
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s. ENERGIZE groups for children will be continuing rehearsals for the NATIVITY, so it would be great to see a good number of children again.
6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s.
COMMUNITY CAROL SERVICE
This is always a special night when we are joined by children from at least three of our local schools, Studfall Infants, Rockingham Primary and Lodge Park Academy, who will sing for us as well as telling the Christmas story and joining in with some congregational carol singing. Everyone is very welcome on Thursday 11th December at 6pm in St Columba’s.
CAROLS IN THE CENTRE
An opportunity 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.
CHARITY OF THE WEEK
Our charity this week is Operation Christmas Child. We have had a bumper collection of shoeboxes this year, so please pray for each one of them to be delivered safely and for the children who will receive them. Also pray for the ongoing outreach with “The Greatest Gift” teaching programme that children who receive shoeboxes are able to take part in. Pray also for the team of volunteers, including James and Louisa, who will be sorting the boxes ready for shipping.
May God bless you all,
Ian
01536 400225
07903 644609