DECEMBER NEWS
REPORTS
Eliza’s Dedication
Our service on Sunday 17th November was a dedication service, where we formally welcomed Eliza into our church family. We also welcomed lots of guests to the service - family and friends who came to celebrate with Tim and Hannah.
Dedication is a celebration and a statement of intention; a chance to thank God for the arrival of a child, as well as publicly asking God, and the church, for help in raising them.
It’s always such a privilege to do a dedication and a great reminder of our all-age church family. One thing sociological studies repeatedly show is the benefit for children to be in a community with people of all ages, beyond members of their family. Through our children’s activities and especially through Hubs, we love having the opportunity for people of all ages to mix together and get oto know one another.
We had lots of visitors and it was fantastic to see how friendly and welcoming you all were, as well as helping make things run smoothly with extra chairs and helping people get orientated.
It did make a difference and we heard lots encouraging feedback from people who were attending Exeter Vineyard for the first time - and for some of them it was their first time to any church service. People felt very welcomed and we even had an email saying they felt we were "such a warm and caring church”!
NOVEMBER’S FOCUS:
Podcasts
Do you know all our Sunday messages and the Guided Bible Studies are available to catch up? If you miss a Sunday or a Hub you can still access the content and use it as an opportunity to focus on God during your week.
All the video Bible Study sessions are on our YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/@ExeterVineyardChurch
But if you’re walking the dog or driving* and just want to listen, our Sunday messages and audio versions of the Bible Studies are released as podcasts. You can find these by searching for Exeter Vineyard Church on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify (or click those links).
And all of them, both video and audio, are collected together on the Podcasts page on our website.
* other activities are available
LOOKING AHEAD
What’s Going On Over Christmas
Mon 9 Dec - Crossline’s Christmas Meal
On Monday 9th, the Crosslines Team, plus a few extra volunteers, take their normal Monday night provision of food for the homeless and vulnerably housed community and go the extra ‘Christmas’ mile. A sit-down, waiter-service 3-course meal, with a choice from a menu, Christmas decorations and live music. Please be praying that the guests are blessed and there is a great atmosphere. If you would like to get involved and help, contact the office.
Christmas Service - 15th December
Our Christmas Service is a fun, get-into-the-festive-mood service. For the first hour there will be a Children’s Christmas Party running at the same time as carols, readings and a short talk in the main hall. For the last half-an-hour we all come together for some Christmas silliness.
We’re also setting up a Nativity photo-booth, with dressing up costumes for all ages. This is a chance to get a Christmas photo with friends and family. This is open for 30 minutes before and after the service.
The Christmas Service is a great opportunity to invite friends. You can download a flyer here to send to them digitally or we have physical flyers at the Sunday service.
Christmas Service - St. Leonard’s School. 4:00 - 5:30pm, followed by seasonal refreshments
Carol Service - 22nd December
This is a shorter, more traditional service of carols. Feel free to invite friends and family. There will be no separate children’s activities.
Carol Service - St. Leonard’s School. 4 - 5pm, with refreshments afterwards.
Sunday 29th December
There is no service on Sunday 29th December
DATES
We are back for our first Sunday Service of 2025 on Sunday 5th January - from 10:15 at St. Leonard’s Primary School and we continue our rhythm of services on 1st and 3rd Sunday.
Messy Church is at 10:30 on Saturday 11th January at the Beacon Centre.
Elevate (Youth event) is at 6pm, also on Saturday 11th January.
Sunday Service - 19th January, from 10:15 at St. Leonard’s Primary School.