The congregation at Central Methodist Church York will be meeting for worship at 10am on Christmas morning. All are welcome to join us.
There will not be services on Christmas eve this year (everyone is encouraged to join other congregations across the city for the traditional evening or midnight services). With regret we have also cancelled our 10:30am service on 27th December.
The normal pattern of worship will resume on Sunday 3rd January.
Here is a selection of activities during Advent and Christmas at Central. Click here for more details about our Advent course, Making Room.
| Tuesday, 24th November | 12 noon | Advent course, 'Making Room', part 1 Soup at 12, discussion from 12.30 |
| Sunday, 29th November | 10.30am | worship led by Revd Christopher Humble (holy communion) |
| Sunday, 29th November | 5.15pm | York Minster Advent processional service |
| Tuesday, 1st December | 12 noon | Advent course, 'Making Room', part 2 Soup at 12, discussion from 12.30 |
| Sunday, 6th December | 10.30am | worship led by Revd Christopher Humble (gift service) |
| Sunday, 6th December | 4.00pm | circuit Celtic Advent service, Poppleton |
| Tuesday, 8th December | 12 noon | Advent course, 'Making Room', part 3 Soup at 12, discussion from 12.30 |
| Tuesday, 8th December | 7.00pm | YMS Family Christmas Concert (£10 on the door; children free) |
| Sunday, 13th December | 10.30am | worship led by Revd Christopher Humble (holy communion) |
| Sunday, 13th December | 5.00pm | Second Sunday Supplement |
| Tuesday, 15th December | 12 noon | Advent course, 'Making Room', part 4 Soup at 12, discussion from 12.30 |
| Saturday, 19th December | afternoon | Carol singing in the city centre, in aid of 'Action for Children' |
| Sunday, 20th December | 10.30am | worship led by Paul Carter |
| Sunday, 20th December | 4.00pm | Carol service |
| Tuesday, 22nd December | 1.30pm 3.30pm | Refreshments followed by Community Carol Concert |
| Friday, 25th December | 10.00am | Christmas Day worship led by Revd Christopher Humble |
| Sunday, 27th December | 10.30am | No service |
The Posada is an Advent festival originating in Latin America that dramatises the search of Joseph and Mary for lodging. During Advent the figures, usually Joseph, Mary and a donkey, travel around the town or village stopping each night at a different venue where they are welcomed by the occupants. Sometimes friends are invited in to share the occasion. Those who welcome the Posada are encouraged to light a candle (included in the package) and reflect on the Christmas story and their response to the birth of God’s Son – Jesus.
There is also a ‘diary’ and camera to record the Posada’s journey and any response that the hosts wish to share.
Hosting the Posada is an opportunity to stop and think how the Christmas story of 2,000 years ago impacts on our lives today. We will do so against a background of many people making journeys from places of conflict and oppression in the hope of finding a welcome and new start.
The first journey will be on Advent Sunday and if we have sufficient volunteers the figures will then return to church for the Carol Concert on Tues 22 Dec.
led by Margaret McLarty and Jane Bentley
Saturday 7 November 2015
2-4.30pm
Margaret and Jane have both worked with the Iona Community in Iona Abbey and in Glasgow helping hundreds of people to discover their voices and sing songs of praise, protest and prayer.
At the Big Sing we’ll learn new songs (including some you may not know from Singing the Faith) from Iona and around the world, and enjoy the amazing sound of our voices singing in harmony. You’re very welcome to come whatever your age, and whether or not you’re able to read music or consider yourself a good singer.
Tea and cake will be provided. Please contact Hilary Blake on 01904 413890 if you can offer some baking or help with refreshments.
Donations will be taken to cover the costs of the event; we suggest £5 per person.
For more information and for a poster to display in your church, please contact Hilary Blake (01904 413890, hilaryblake81@gmail.com). If you’re on facebook you can find the event at https://www.facebook.com/events/1068728829804841/
Songs we sung (some references/credits to follow):
Welcome everybody (Fischy Music – I Wonder Why?)
Peruvian Gloria (WGRG – Sent by the Lord)
Come with me for the journey is long (WGRG – The truth that sets us free)
Oh bless the Lord (WGRG – Come all you people)
The truth that sets us free (WGRG – The truth that sets us free)
Freedom is coming (Anders Nyberg – Freedom is coming)
Alleluia yin oluwa (WGRG – The truth that sets us free)
Come with me for the journey is long (WGRG – The truth that sets us free)
God welcomes all (WGRG – We Walk His Way)
Greenbelt alleluia (WGRG – The truth that sets us free)
Here to the house of God we come (CH4)
If my name was Mary (WGRG – Unpublished)
Kamana o i o (WGRG – One is the body)
Music maker (Fischy Music – Down to Earth)
Salaam aleikum (GIA – Marty Haugen – Salaam Aleikum)
Ameni (WGRG – There is one among us)
Second Sunday Supplement11th October, 5pm, Central Methodist Church, Room 1
Our regular informal act of worship will focus this month on the theme of ‘Seeking Sanctuary.’ We’ll share Scripture, songs, prayers and discussion about journeys to find a place of safety. The service, which lasts around 45 minutes, will be followed by hot chocolate and home baking.
www.centralmethodistyork.org.