Central Abbotsford

In case you hadn’t noticed, we are getting to the mid-point of December already! Kids have only one week of school left before the Christmas break, their chocolate calendars are half-empty (or, if they were like me as a kid, fully eaten already), and the “number of shopping days left” is fast approaching single digits. Truly, the most wonderful time of the year!

As we go into the third weekend of Advent, I was considering the uniqueness of leading Central Abbotsford at this time of year. At Northview, we understand that all of our sites and campuses across Abbotsford, Mission, and Chilliwack form one local church. However, having different locations to meet allows us to be an expression of this local church in different contexts and places in our community. I have been grateful to God for allowing me to be a part of this one for the last year and a half!

Christmas in a rented space, though, is a bit of a unique matter. We have a wonderful partnership in the gospel with our hosts at Mill Lake Church, and they (understandably) intend to use their space on Christmas Eve for their own service. So, historically, on Christmas Eve, we have invited the Central Abby crew to gather at any of the Downes Road services to celebrate.

And, we are still doing that this year – but with a twist! An enhancement, if you will…

Downes Road will still be hosting six Christmas Eve services, starting at 11:00am and continuing every hour and a half until the final service at 6:30pm. That’s the same as it has been the past few years.

Here’s the twist: you may not be aware, but this past year, at our Downes Road campus, we have opened up Centre Court as an additional space to gather for the services on Sunday mornings. And, as happens when Christians come together to worship God and hear His Word, a community has been growing among those who have been meeting there. So, this year for Christmas Eve, Northview is opening up Centre Court for two services at 2:00pm and 3:30pm where we are specifically inviting those who call Central Abbotsford home and those who are part of the burgeoning Centre Court community to come, join, bring friends and family, and enjoy Christmas Eve together. 

I will be hosting the services and most of the friendly staff faces (and the friendly people they belong to!) that you know from Central Abby will be at these services as well. If it works for your schedule, we’d love to see you there! 

Once more – all of Northview Central Abbotsford is invited to join us at Centre Court at the Downes Road Campus, December 24 at 2:00 and 3:30pm!

Merry Christmas!