Quakers Hill celebrates Christmas in July – Insights Magazine

Quakers Hill Uniting Church recently held a Christmas service in July, serving everything from French toast to KFC and singing Christmas carols, and attracting new people.

Mark Watson is a youth and young adult worker at Quakers Hill Uniting Church.

“We are blessed with such talented and passionate young people and they have also been instrumental in encouraging friends and family to join us in worshiping God in the night church,” he said.

“Some people had sent messages (some of them through Discord channels) inviting friends to come over for Christmas.”

“We counted 49 people (at least we saw who was there for the first time) gathered for a communal Christmas meal (everything from ham to French toast to KFC). We also sang a few Christmas carols and took time to thank God for all He has done in and through the night services.”

Mr Watson said Insights that the service represented the crowning conclusion of a six-month experiment with changing church styles.

“Our monthly night church had two different 'flavors' or styles that occurred on alternating months. We want to create a unified service that combines the strengths of both styles and also unite the two teams. We hope that by doing this, we can be more intentional in each service about how we love one another and how we welcome, love and accept those who come by. Ultimately, our goal is to offer a weekly night church that gives people even more opportunities to experience God's rich and powerful love.”

“We set a plan at the beginning of the year (2024) to hold both types of services for six months, concluding with a celebration service in July. We set it for Christmas in July because Christmas is a time of great celebration when God celebrates what he did when he sent Jesus, his Son, into the world as a Savior. Starting August 25, we will have a new and united night church, which will take place every last Sunday of the month at 6:30 p.m.”

“A key feature of our night church at Quakers Hill Uniting is that youth and young adults play a key role in leading and conducting the service. Youth and young adults are involved in all areas including hosting, greeters, worship music, prayer and spreading the Bible message.”

“Our night church has a real strength in that people are excited to come together in love and service to God. Many people of different backgrounds and ages serve side by side to create a wonderful time of fellowship and worship of Jesus. Without this unifying love for Jesus and an attitude of welcomingness among our youth and young adults, it really wouldn't be as great as it is.”

The next evening service at Quakers Hill Uniting Church will be on Sunday 25 August at 6.30pm. All are welcome. For more information visit visit their Facebook page here.