Follow the Star

Our hope is for everyone to have a meaningful and memorable experience of worship during Advent and Christmas. Regretfully, the Abbey’s seating capacity this year is greatly reduced due to essential building work. While we have increased the number of major services in the Abbey, unfortunately not everyone will be able to get a ticket. Furthermore, many seats will have limited or no direct sight of the area from where the service is being led. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

This year we are taking part in the Church of England's #FollowtheStar campaign and have joined together with our sister church, St Michael's Without in Broad Street, BA1 5LJ to promote all our Christmas services. #Followthestar aims to share with everyone the joy of going to a local church Christmas service or event, and encourages everyone to go further on their Christian journey. For more info visit: www.achurchnearyou.com

4pm Christingle at St Michael’s WithoutA service for children (and adults!) of all ages. Celebrate Jesus as the Light of the World.

4pm & 6pm Carol Praise at Bath AbbeyAn informal service for all the family with traditional carols. All welcome. Limited seating, please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

11pm Midnight Communion at Bath Abbey & 11.15pm at St Michael’s Without Be there at the very start of Christmas. A celebration of Christ’s birth, and with him the birth of new hope for the world. All welcome. Limited seating at both venues.

8am Holy Communion at Bath Abbey & 9am at St Michael's WithoutJoin us at this quiet hour at either church as we draw together before the Christ-child. A said service of Holy Communion, using traditional language.

9.30am Family Communion at Bath AbbeyCelebrate ‘God with us’ at this informal service, suitable for all ages. Music led by the Abbey Boys’ Choir.

10.30am All Age Holy Communion at St Michael's WithoutA family celebration of Christ’s birth with carols and communion.

11.15am Sung Eucharist for Christmas at Bath Abbey Celebrate with us, using the traditional Christmas music and liturgy, with Abbey Choirs of Girls and Lay-clerks. Preacher, The Bishop of Bath and Wells.

CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY

ST MICHAEL'S USUAL SUNDAY SERVICES9.00am Holy Communion10.30am Morning Worship

See St Michael's website for further details: www.stmichaelsbath.org.uk

BATH ABBEY USUAL SUNDAY SERVICES8am Holy Communion9.30am Parish Communion11.15am Sung Eucharist3.30pm Choral Evensong6.30pm Informal Evening Service For changes to the usual pattern of services, please consult the website or Abbey Office.

Advent and Christmas 2019

at Bath Abbey and St Michael's Without

Join us to celebrate this joyous season

INSIDEPAGES

DURING BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET 28 NOV - 15 DEC

Shoppers' Carols at Bath AbbeyThursdays and Fridays 12.30pm & 2pmSaturdays 12.30pm, 2pm & 3.30pm A popular, informal 20-minute service with traditional carols. Ideal for weary shoppers. All welcome, no reserved seating or tickets required.

Festive Tower Tours at Bath AbbeyClimb 212 steps to discover the history of the Abbey’s bells and enjoy stunning views of Bath with a free mulled wine or hot chocolate at the top of the tower.Fri & Sat during the Christmas Market; first tour of the day 11am. Adults £8, Child (5-15 yrs) £4.

Handel’s Messiah at Bath Abbey Friday 6 Dec & Saturday 7 Dec 7.30pmBath Choral Society’s annual and ever-popular performance of Handel’s Messiah with the Bristol Ensemble, conducted by Shean Bowers.Tickets from Bath Box Office: £6-£32

A Christmas Celebrationat Bath AbbeyFriday 13 Dec & Saturday 14 Dec 7pmFeaturing the Abbey Girls Choir and the Melody Makers, the Abbey’s choir of 6-11 year olds. Tickets from Bath Box Office: £8-£16

La Nativité - Messiaenat Bath AbbeySunday 15 Dec 6.30pmA Christmas meditation with organist, Huw WIlliams, and scripture readings. All welcome, no reserved seating or tickets required.

FESTIVE CONCERTS

SPECIAL SERVICES

Advent Carol Serviceat Bath AbbeySunday 1 Dec 4.30pm & 7pm An atmospheric service with music by the Abbey Choirs of Girls and Lay-clerks and readings to mark the beginning of Advent. Entry is by (free) ticket only. An application form can be downloaded from the website or is available from the Abbey Office.

Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at Bath AbbeyMonday 23 Dec 5pm & 7.30pm A beautiful service based around nine Bible readings interspersed with Christmas hymns and carols sung by the Abbey Choirs of Boys and Lay-clerks. Entry is by (free) ticket only. An application form can be downloaded from the website or is available from the Abbey Office.

Please note seating is limited in Bath Abbey: Our apologies, due to essential building work our seating capacity this year is greatly reduced so we may not be able to accommodate everyone. Please also note many seats will have limited or no direct sight of the area from where the service is being led.

SPECIAL SERVICES

Morning Worship & Nativity Play at St Michael's WithoutSunday 8 Dec 10.30am All age service of worship where we present our version of the Nativity Story.

Carols by Candlelight at St Michael's WithoutSunday 15 Dec 6pm Our more traditional service of carols and readings. All are very welcome.

Messy Church Christmas Celebration at St Michael's WithoutTuesday 17 Dec 10.30am Suitable for all pre-schoolers, including babies.

Family Carol Service at Bath Abbey Sunday 22 Dec 2.30pm and 4pmChildren are invited to come dressed as a shepherd, angel, wise man or citizen of Bethlehem to create a festive Christmas tableau. Features Frosty the donkey. All welcome, no reserved seating so please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

The Longest Night at St Michael’s WithoutSunday 22 Dec 4pm A service of healing and hope for those who are hurting this Christmas. Quiet and reflective.

TICKETED SERVICES

Abbey ShopOpen Mon-Sat 10am-7pm during the Bath Christmas market. Usual winter opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-4.30pm. A wide selection of Christmas cards, candles, tree decorations, nativity sets, CDs, books and gifts are available.