Advent & Christmas Services 2026

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We're looking forward to Christmas and would love to invite you to our wide range of special services during the coming weeks. This year, our theme is the Gift of Christmas. In the most well-known verse in the Bible, John 3 verse 16, Jesus says to the religious leader Nicodemus "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..."

Coming to church at Christmastime can offer us all sorts of gifts. There's the gift of calm (more in some services than others!), where we can pause amidst all the busyness and reflect. There's the gift of comfort, from singing well-known carols and hearing familiar Bible readings. There's the gift of community, as we celebrate together. And there's the gift of care, especially when, for whatever reason, the festive season may be difficult. Over and above all of these, however, we will be celebrating the greatest gift of all - the gift of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. St Paul, writing after the death and resurrection of Jesus in his second letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 9:15), describes this as "God's indescribable gift"... we'd love you to come and unwrap God's indescribable gift with us!

To download an invitation to all our special services, click here

Messy Christingle, Sunday 29th November, 3-5pm, St John's Site

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We begin the anticipation of God's gift coming into the world on Advent Sunday with our very popular Messy Christingle service. Come and explore the symbolism of the Christingle and how it can help us as we wait for Christmas through activities, crafts, games, song and story, and enjoy the moment of awe and wonder when we light the Christingle candles. All are welcome - activities are especially designed with families with children under 11 in mind. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Blue Christmas, Saturday 19th December, 11.15am-12noon, Holy Trinity Site

2026-12-19 Blue Christmas 1

When life is hard, sometimes the Christmas season feels anything but festive. Pressure to spend, pressure to join in. Pressure to be happy... Our Blue Christmas service is for anybody who, for whatever reason, is finding Christmas difficult this year. In a quiet, reflective space, it will offer an opportunity to take time out in the presence of God whose love surrounds us, even when we don't feel it. There will be candle lighting and anointing oil for blessing, favour and restoration for those who would like to receive it.

Connect Nativity, Sunday 20th December, 10.30-11.30am, St John's Site

2026-12-20 Instant Nativity

Our Intergenerational, Interactive, Instant Nativity, held during our Connect service, was the surprise hit of Christmas 2025. Come along for an informal, cafe-style service and a Nativity with plenty of participation and joy. Very suitable for families with children, but adults are welcome to have fun too!

Carols by Candlelight, Sunday 20th December, 5.30-7pm, St John's Site

2026-12-20 Carol Service

Christmas really starts with Carols by Candlelight! Come and sing well-known carols and listen to familiar Bible readings, and hear those voices from long ago recalling the Gift of Christmas. Do stay around afterwards for mulled wine or a hot drink and mince pies.

Crib Service, Thursday 24th December, 3-4.30pm, St John's Site

2026-12-24 Crib Service

The cutest service of Christmas... Come out on Christmas Eve just before it gets dark and find your place in the Christmas story. All are welcome - children and adults are invited to dress up as your favourite character - human or animal! There's no need to spend money on a costume; we have lots in all sizes. The service will last no longer than 40 minutes, and will be followed by refreshments.

Midnight Communion, Thursday 24th December, 11pm-midnight, Holy Trinity Site

2026-12-24 Midnight

The first Communion of Christmas. Come along for a quiet, reflective space where we can pause from the busyness and wonder afresh at the mystery of the Incarnation, the Word made flesh.

Christmas Day Celebration, Friday 25th December, 10.30-11.30am, Holy Trinity Site

2026-12-25 Christmas Day

Our Christmas Day Celebration is for everybody. Come along and sing joyful carols, hear the Christmas story read from the Bible, think about the Gift of Christmas, share Communion or receive a blessing, and maybe enjoy a special item...

Watchnight Service, Thursday 31st December, 11.30pm-12.15am, St John's Site

2026-12-31 Watchnight

What better way to see in the New Year than with prayers and praises and focusing on God's steadfast love and faithfulness. We pause, reflect, give thanks and pray as we welcome in 2027 and have the first opportunity to wish each other a happy and blessed New Year.

12/11/2026

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

New to Church?

If you're coming to Holy Trinity with St John's for the first time, this information will help you know what to expect.

Where and When?

Our 8am service is at our Holy Trinity Site (location details here).

Our 10:30am service is at our St John's Site (location details here).

For more information about our different Sunday services, please click here.

What about my children?

We actively welcome families with children of all ages. If your child is a baby or a toddler, they will remain with you for the duration of the service. A welcomer will give you a Toddler Bag as you come in - these contain a variety of toys and games to entertain your child. We are aware that it can be very hard for a toddler to remain in their seat throughout the service. We have recently enhanced our provision for families with very young children with a designated space, "Sparkle", on the carpeted area at the back of church. Here you will find toys, crayons, books and space for your child to move about. We understand that toddlers do make a noise, and want them and you to feel comfortable with this. If your child is very distressed, or needs a space to calm down and regulate, there is also our crèche room.

To find out more about our groups for children and young people aged 3-18, please click here.

I / one of my family have additional needs? Will HTSJ welcome me?

At Holy Trinity with St John's, we want everyone to be seen, heard, able to belong and join in, including those with additional needs. When you arrive in church the welcome team will say hello, and there are toys available which you can use to fidget with during the service. In the seat pockets there is a visual timetable showing the structure of the service. More information about how we are making our services and activities accessible is coming soon but, in the meantime, if there is something you need, please do ask the service leader or a welcomer.

Midweek Activities

A variety of community activities run across our two sites throughout the week:

Christians Against Poverty

We are pleased to be working in partnership with Christians Against Poverty (CAP), a national debt support and advice charity that works through a network of centres based in local churches. More ...

Knit and Natter

A group who like to knit and natter - they do exactly what it says on the tin! More ...

Little Fish

Our Adults' and Toddlers' Group is called Little Fish. More ...

Living Well

Living Well is a charity founded and operating from our Holy Trinity site offering a food bank, community cafe, hot lunches and much more. More ...

Open Doors

A friendship group for the over-50s. More ...

Get in touch with us if you have any further questions

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Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

We will contact you by email during our normal office hours