Whether it brought you happiness, sadness, or a mixture of both, come to St Paul’s at 11.45pm this Saturday, December 31st, to say goodbye to 2016. And then toast the new year with hope and joy as our church bells ring it in at midnight. Refreshments will be served. All very welcome.
A Service of the Word on Sunday, January 1st – at the later time of 11.30am – will welcome in the new year. This will be followed by refreshments. There will also be a service of Holy Communion at 8.15am as usual but there will be no evening service.

The church is all decorated and waiting for the First Eucharist of Christmas, which will start at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve. This will be followed on the morning of Christmas Day by an 8.15am service of Holy Communion with carols and then a 10.30am Family Service – come early to get a seat.

The evocative service of Nine Lessons and Carols at 7pm this Sunday, December 18th, is one of the highlights of the church year for many people and there will be a retiring collection for the Capuchin Day Centre for homeless and needy people in Bow Street, Dublin 7. The service is followed by the serving of mince pies and mulled wine in the Parish Centre. All very welcome.
One reason this service is so popular is that each member of the congregation is given an individual candle. We want to be able to maintain this tradition.
While acknowledging that it can be difficult to hold a service sheet in one hand and a candle in the other, please exercise care at all times with your candle. Make every effort to hold it as straight as possible throughout the service, keep the drip mat in place and try not to splash any wax on either the furniture or the floor as it is very difficult and time consuming to remove it.  The candle should easily last for the duration of the service.

The key dates for worship in St Paul’s over the Christmas period:
Sunday, December 18th 8.15 am Holy Communion (One) 10.30 am Family Service with Holy Baptism
7 pm Service of Nine Lessons with Carols by Candlelight
Monday, December 19th 7 pm Rathdown School Carol Service
Wednesday, December  21st 11 am Holy Communion
Saturday, December 24th 11.30 pm Christmas Eve First Eucharist of Christmas
Sunday, December 25th Christmas Day 8.15 am Holy Communion (One) 10.30 am Family Service
Wednesday, December 28th 11 am Holy Communion; 4pm Wedding
Saturday, December 31st 11.45 pm Ringing in the New Year: a short service to welcome the New Year with the ringing of the Chimes at midnight. Followed by refreshments.
Sunday, January 1st The Second Sunday of Christmas 8.15 am Holy Communion (One) 11.30 am Service to mark the beginning of the New Year, followed by refreshments. 7 pm No Service