St Matthew's RedhillNewsletter
ST MATTHEW’S PARISH CHURCH REDHILL
NEWSLETTER FOR SUNDAY 21st and 28th DEC 2025
Through worship and outreach, God’s love is revealed in the community it serves. Together we navigate and explore the fullness of life offered to us through Christ. Whether strong in the faith or filled with questions and doubts, all can find space here with God. Based on the teaching of Jesus, St Matthew’s is an open, inclusive, and growing church. Please contact any member of the staff or welcome teams to get involved in the life of the church.
You can use this link to sign up to receive the newsletter via email.
Sunday 21st Dec (Advent 4)
8 am Holy Communion
10
am Community
Communion (no
Songs: Here I am to worship; O heavenly Father lead us on; Everlasting God; Hide me now; Prepare the way
5 pm Nine Lessons & Carols, followed by mince pies and mulled wine
Interactive Advent Treasure Hunt: this week, can you find Baby Jesus?
Monday 22nd Dec
8:30 am Morning Prayer
9 am – 3 pm Foodbank
9:30 am Craft Group in the vestry
Tuesday 23rd Dec
8:30 am Morning Prayer
Wednesday 24th Dec – Christmas Eve
8:30 am Morning Prayer
10 am No Said Holy Communion today
No Foodbank today
4 pm Crib Service (see below)
Carols: O come all ye faithful; While shepherds watched their flocks by night; Away in a manger; Joy to the world
9 pm First Mass of Christmas
Hymns: O
little town of
Anthem: A sound of angels - Christopher Tye (c1500 - 72)
Voluntary: 'In dulci jubilo' BWV 729 - J S Bach (1685-1750)
Thursday 25th Dec – Christmas Day
10 am Christmas Day Parish Eucharist (see below)
Hymns: O come, all ye faithful (CR); Once in royal David’s city; In the bleak mid-winter (CR); Away in a manger; Hark! the herald angels sing (CR)
Voluntary: Interlude on ‘God rest you merry’ - W S Lloyd- Webber (1914-82)
Friday 26th Dec
No Foodbank today
Saturday 27th Dec
8:30 am Morning Prayer
Crib Service 4pm Christmas Eve
All are welcome to come to the crib service on Christmas Eve. If you would like to please come dressed as your favourite Nativity character and join in with the world's most important card game! If you would like more information please talk to Julie, it will be great to see you there!
Christmas Day Eucharist 10 am
🎶 Calling All Enthusiastic Singers for this Major Christmas Service! 🎄
This is a fantastic opportunity to help lead one of the two most important and joyous services of the Christmas season!
Rev Anna is looking for singers to help create an atmosphere that reflects the joy of Jesus’ birth. Not only is this a major festival, but it's also a service where we welcome many visitors, so enthusiastic, heartfelt singing from the choir stalls is essential to uplift everyone!
Your voice is needed to help the celebration!
· What you'll sing: Five well-known, beloved Christmas carols.
· What you need: Just your enthusiasm and a desire to sing!
· Dress Code: No need to robe! You are encouraged to wear festive attire to add to the holiday cheer!
Come and be a vital part of this beautiful, celebratory service! Please see Rev Anna if you are interested.
Please note that Rev Anna is off duty between 26th December and 3rd January
Week beginning 28th December at St Matthew’s
Sunday 28th Dec (Holy Innocents)
8 am Holy Communion
10
am Parish Eucharist
(no
Hymns: The first Nowell; A great and mighty wonder; Unto us a boy is born!; Love came down at Christmas; Joy to the world
Anthem:
Voluntary: Improvisation on ‘Unto us a boy is born ’ - Noel Rawsthorne (1929-2019)
Monday 29th Dec
8:30 am Morning Prayer
9 am – 3 pm Foodbank
9:30 am Craft Group in the vestry
Tuesday 30th Dec
8:30 am Morning Prayer
Wednesday 31st Dec – New Year’s Eve
8:30 am Morning Prayer
10 am Said Holy Communion
2:30 pm Winter Group
No Foodbank today
Friday 2nd January
9 am – 3 pm Foodbank
Saturday 3rd Jan
8:30 am Morning Prayer
Sunday 4th Jan (Epiphany)
8 am Holy Communion
10 am Parish Eucharist (no Junior Church) There will be incense at this service
4 pm Messy Church
Dates for your diary
5th Jan Lads at Large Night at Toby Carvery
9th Jan 2026 Ladies Night
10th Jan 10 am New date for the postponed communication workshop
20th – 22nd Feb Parish Retreat to Wychcroft
Christmas Cards
Join in the Christmas Spirit! 🎄 We invite you to share your Christmas greetings with the chuch family by adding a card to the whiteboard at the back of the church. For those wishing to make a Christmas donation to church funds, please pop your gift into the red stocking. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
Rev Anna's contact details - Day Off on FRIDAY
Email here or 01737 511495 / 07960 088613
Parish Administrator Julia Elfred: email or phone 01737 249066
If you would like to include any notices in the weekly newsletter please contact: Tracey Jennings – email or phone 01737 760590 by Wednesdays 10 am but please note that there will be no updated newsletter until Sunday 31st August.
Pastoral Care And Pastoral Support - If you need any help at all please do contact any member of the Staff Team - we are always ready to do what we can to help.
Rev. Anna (Vicar) As above or
Anne Currie (Reader) email here or
Julie Knight (Reader) email here
The 'Lads At Large' Christmas Dinner
The 'Lads At Large' Christmas dinner is being held once again at the Toby Carvery on Redstone Hill on Monday 5th January 2026 at 6.00pm for 6.30pm. The cost is £20 which includes the 2-course meal and any monies remaining after payment will be donated towards the cost of the remedial works to the West wall of the Church. If you would like to attend, please either let David Hill or Hugh Jones know in advance, or sign up on the list at the back of the Church. If possible please pay the money beforehand, either by cash to David or Hugh, or via a bank transfer to the Church account referenced 'Lads At Large'.
Ladies Night – Friday 9 January 2026 – in the Church Hall at 7pm - £10
Put your glad rags on ladies, and come and enjoy a 4 course meal (with drinks) and entertainment. Please sign the sheet at the back of church if you wish to attend.