Christmas 2011 falls on the sabbath, and Abbotsford’s large church community will be providing services for congregations. These events are open to members of the community who wish to attend.
Following are some of the services scheduled in local churches:
• Northview Community Church, 32040 Downes Rd., will offer Christmas Eve services at the Worship Centre at 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. On Dec. 25 there will be a Christmas service at 6 p.m.
• Sevenoaks Alliance Church, 2575 Gladwin Rd., will have Christmas Eve services at 6:30 p.m. Entitled “God in the Manger,” the event will be a family focussed evening with special music and carols. The Christmas Day sermon will be offered at 9:30 a.m.
• Central Heights Church, 1661 McCallum Rd., will offer a traditional candlelight Christmas Eve service at 6:30 p.m. On Dec. 25 at 11 a.m. a Christmas Day morning service will be held, leading into a Christmas dinner for members of the community in need. Dinner will be served between 12:15 and 2 p.m. In past years, the congregation at Central Heights has served 400 to 500 people.
• St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, 33333 Mayfair Ave., has a well-attended Midnight Mass leading into Christmas, and the church choir will begin singing carols at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 24. There will also be an earlier 7 p.m. mass on Dec. 24 for children and families. On Christmas Day, mass will be held at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
• Abbotsford Pentecostal Assembly, 3145 Gladwin Rd., has a Christmas candlelight event from 6 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 24. The theme is “What Christmas Means to Me,” and the true meaning of Christmas. There will also be a Christmas Day service at 10 a.m.
• South Abbotsford Mennonite Church, 32424 Huntingdon Rd., will have Christmas Eve services at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Abbotsford Vineyard Church, 34629 DeLair Road, will offer a candlelight Christmas Eve event on Dec. 24 from 6 to 7 p.m.
• The Bridge, 33676 St. Olaf Ave., will offer a Christmas Eve sermon at 5 p.m. at the Matsqui Community Hall in Matsqui Village.