Join us this December for our new series “Travel Light” as we think about the best way to walk with God and journey through life with Him! The series draws from a preaching series of the same name by Pastor Craig Groeschel of Life Church, and in it we will be exploring some key principles that help us to take what we need on our journey, and leave behind what we don’t!
We’ll be weaving some of our more overtly Christmassy events around the Sunday series, so be on the lookout for those too! Here’s what we have coming up in December…
Sunday 1st December, 10am: Travel Light Pt.1 - “Take What You Need”
If you’ve ever been on a backpacking adventure, you’ll know that when it comes to deciding what to carry with you, sometimes less is more! What about on our journey of life, though? So often the temptation in our society is to believe that it’s all about accumulating more and more stuff – if one is good, two is better and we focus on getting the next this, the new that and more of the other thing! Maybe it’s time to take stock and decide what we really need in life, and not clutter life up and bog ourselves down with so much… stuff!
Tuesday 3rd December and Thursday 5th December, 7pm: Community Carols – “Heroes & Villains”
It’s time to welcome our local schools and their fantastic choirs, as we host our annual festival of Christmas bonkers-ness! This year’s theme is about heroes and villains -plenty of scope then, to include the obvious names (Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Herod…) and some that are perhaps a little less obvious (Scooby Doo, Captain Marvel, John McLane, Hans Gruber…). Come and join in the singing (and the silliness) as Simon and Phil lead the festive quizzing contest (not competitive in any way…), Georgia leads the house band and those amazing choirs bring a tear to everyone’s eyes!
Sunday 8th December, 10am: Travel Light Pt. 2 - “Stay on Track”
You know where you are, where you’re heading and you’ve checked out the map… but wait a second…. that way through the woods looks pretty cool and maybe if I go this other way I could get their quicker and have some more fun on…. This Sunday we talk about the danger of distractions and what we can do to make sure we keep on the right path.
Sunday 15th December, 10am: Travel Light Pt. 3 - “Stones, Roots & Thorns”
Everything’s going well, you’re all nicely packed and right on course, when suddenly “Ouch!” A stone has gotten into your hiking boot… you’ve tripped on a root and stumbled into thorns! Do you stop and get clear of those things, or press on regardless? This Sunday we’ll be talking about relationships and how that stone in your boot, that root you stumble over, that thorn in your flesh might be the very thing that stops you in your tracks.
Sunday 22nd December, 10am: Travel Light Pt.3 – “A Trusted Guide” (Allsorts Service – no livestream)
“Toto…I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore…” What do we do when we get that uncomfortable feeling that we’re not where we thought we were, and the path ahead looks uncertain and quite possibly dangerous? What – and who – might help us when we’re feeling lost, and how can we learn to trust rather than control?
Tuesday 24th December, 4pm: Christingle
Another EBC favourite – our annual Christingle service! A packed hall, Christmas carols, oranges, children, candles, real fire… what could possibly go wrong? Come and sing along merrily as we get so close to Christmas that there’s just one more sleep to go before Santa Claus comes to town!!!
Wednesday 25th December, 10am: Christmas Day – “A Child is Born”
Joy to the world! Join us on Christmas morning as we celebrate together the greatest of miracles – God became human and came to live among us! Bring along your presents, your smiles and your Christmassy best for this short but sweet time of fellowship!
Sunday 29th December: Elves resting… take a walk and have a talk with God while the ministries team has a well-earned break. Well, until Tuesday…
Tuesday 31st December, 10am – 4pm: Turkey & Tinsel
See the New Year in (almost!) as we get together for a fun-filled day of live music, quizzes, pressies and amazing food and fellowship! Although originally started with older people in mind, this will be a great day for people of all ages to get together and help each other celebrate the passing of 2024 and look ahead to the exciting year to come! Rumour has it that our new Santa, having passed his probationary period last year, has an appointment in Poland this time. Who knows who might be assigned to stand in for him…???