Christmas Celebrations At St John's Church In Wimbledon Village


Festivities start with fun for all at a special tree decorating service

St John’s Church in the heart of Wimbledon Village is inviting children and families to kick off Christmas with a special tree decorating service on Sunday (December 10).

The family service is just part of the Christmas celebrations at St John’s over the festive season which began with the lighting of the first Advent candle last Sunday (December 3), marking the beginning of a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.

Families and children of all ages are invited to attend this special service, which will include making of Christmas tree decorations, a talk about why we decorate a tree at Christmas, the decorating of the tree and singing of carols.

“In these times of austerity and in a world of uncertainty Christmas provides us with a certain hope for the future,” said Rev Bruce Rickards, Area Dean and Vicar of St John’s. “Jesus, the baby born in a manger became Jesus, the man who died on the cross to save us. He rose again giving us the certain hope of eternal life with him.”

The Christmas preparations continue on Sunday December 17 with their annual Lessons and Carols service at 6.30pm. This candlelit service which starts with the hymn ‘Once in Royal David City’ tells the Christmas story and celebrates the birth of Jesus through traditional lessons, choral classics sung by the choir and favourite hymns with rousing descants and trumpet led by musical director Robert Mingay-Smith. The service is followed by mince pies and mulled wine.

On Christmas Eve, families and children will again be at the heart of preparations and celebrations with a Crib Service which takes place at 4pm. Joined by the children of our Montessori Children’s House Nursery, the Christmas story is told in drama and song suitable for families with young children, who are encouraged to take part by coming dressed as a character from the Nativity story. Mary, Joseph, Angles, Shepherds and Wise Men are all welcome.

Christmas services continue with the traditional Midnight Eucharist at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve and 8:30am Holy Communion and 10.15am Sung Eucharist on Christmas Day. For details of all the services at St John’s over the Christmas period, visit www.stjohnswimbledon.co.uk or Facebook @stjohnswimbledon.

December 4, 2017