Join us for a free day of activities for all the family to include:
Bring the family and be inspired by the life of our former Rector Bernard Gilpin.
Part of the Durham Diocese Talking Jesus events.
Our Gilpin 500 Beer Festival takes place in the Kepier Hall (behind the church on the Broadway in Houghton-le-Spring, postcode DH4 4DN) this weekend.
Tickets are £10, ring John Lambton on 07917 817879 to reserve tickets or buy on the door.
Ticket includes a commemorative half pint glass and 5 half pints of beer or cider.
Doors open Friday 10th February at 7pm.
Saturday 11th February the festival will run from 12noon with local band The Grumpies playing a gig at 7.30pm.
If you come the Friday night you can return with your glass on Saturday and have free entry. Further drinks tickets can be bought at £1.50 or 5 for £6.
9 ales are available to try and 2 ciders including our very own Gilpin 500 limited edition ale from Maxim Brewery.
We look forward to seeing you!
2017 is finally here and along with it our year of commemorating and being inspired by our former Rector Bernard Gilpin. We launched our celebrations this morning at St Michael’s with a special cake and a prayer for Gilpin 500.
Our dedicated website for Gilpin 500 is here: https://stmichaels-hls.org.uk/gilpin500
Join us for our events – download the calendar here and pray for God’s blessing on us and our town of Houghton-le-Spring using the words of our Gilpin 500 prayer:
God of love and compassion,
we give you thanks for the
life and witness of Bernard Gilpin.
May we be inspired to follow his example
of faith, generosity and service to
transform our community today;
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Epiphany House Blessings in Houghton-le-Spring 2017
A part of church history is the custom of blessing homes at the New Year.
Traditionally at Epiphany, when we celebrate the visit of the wise men from the East to the baby Jesus, families hold a short service of prayer to ask God’s blessing on their dwellings and on all who live, work with and visit them. In this way, we invite Jesus to be a “guest” in our home, a listener to each conversation, a guide for troubled times, and a blessing in times of thanksgiving.
Houses are marked with chalk like this 20 + C + M + B + 17 – which is the year and the initials of the wise men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. C M B above the door, also stands for Christus Mansionem Benedicat, Latin for “May Christ Bless this House.”
Blessed chalk was distributed at St Michael’s this morning, please ask a friend who came to bless your house or collect some chalk from church this week to bless your own home.
After you have blessed your own home, please offer the same to a neighbour or friend that we might share the love of God in our community.
Look out for the chalk markings around Houghton!
Here is how to bless your home:
Take the blessed chalk and mark on the wall above or beside your front door
20 + C + M + B + 17
saying:
The three Wise Men,
Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar
followed the star of God’s Son who became human
two thousand
and seventeen years ago.
May Christ bless our home
and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.
This afternoon we enjoyed making Christingles along with Delilah the Cow and Moses the Cat learning that Jesus was born so that everyone could know the love of God and shine his light in the world. Here are some pictures taken by John Lambton.
Don’t forget our Crib Service is at 3pm on Christmas Eve – all welcome!
Join us for some festive fun singing carols at the Wild Boar Pub in Houghton-le-Spring on Saturday 17th December at 11am. Why not wear a Christmas jumper?! Last year it went down so well we ended up in the Wetherspoons Magazine!
Our popular Christingle service at which children and adults make a Christingle orange and learn about its meaning is on Sunday 18th December at 3pm at St Michael’s. All proceeds from this service go to the work of the Children’s Society.
Get into the Christmas spirit with our popular Gilpin Singers Christmas Concert – a selection of songs old and new in the beautiful setting of St Michael and All Angels church. Entry is £3.
Wednesday 14th December, 7.00pm
See you there!
Tuesday 13th December, 7.00pm
Christmas can sometimes be difficult for those of us who have lost loved ones, especially recently. Every year we have our Light of Life service near the beginning of the season. This is a carol service with a moment’s quiet as we remember loved ones and dedicate lights on our Christmas tree in their memory.
It’s a service suitable for all ages and gives us the opportunity to remember those we love at this time of year when families and friends gather together.
After the service, each time you come along to church for our other Christmas services, the first thing you see as you walk into church is our Christmas tree with all the lights shining, reminding us of our loved ones.
Join us in celebrating the greatest news of all this Christmas – God with us!
These are our Christmas Services and Events:
Tuesday 13th December, 7.00pm – Light of Life Service
A service to remember loved ones and dedicate a light on our Christmas tree
Wednesday 14th December, 7.00pm – Gilpin Singers Christmas Concert
£3 entry, enjoy a varied concert of music old and new, get in the Christmas spirit!
Saturday 17th December, 11.00am – Carol Singing in the Wild Boar Pub
Meet us in the Wild Boar for some carol singing – wear a Christmas jumper!
Sunday 18th December, 3.00pm – Christingle
A magical family service – all proceeds to Children’s Society
3.00pm Interactive Family Crib Service – a chance to take part in a nativity play and sing some carols
7.00pm Our Traditional 9 Lessons and Carols Service
11.30pm Midnight Mass
8.30am Eucharist
10.00am Festival Eucharist
Please share this information on Social Media using the buttons below. Thank you!
