Regular Services

SERVICES: Schedule of Services Format - 2nd Sunday Format - Other Sun. Format - Thursday Daily Prayers USEFUL INFORMATION: Month of August Children & Babies Disabled Facilities Church Opening Times Prayer Requests Baptisms, Weddings Funerals, Confessions Special services Contact the Clergy Helping you to Pray

Schedule of Services:

Format of Services:

On the second Sunday in every month:

8 am Communion - A traditional, quiet service, not sung, using the old Book of Common Prayer. Usually lasts about 40 minutes, including a 5 minute sermon. Usual attendance about 25.

9.45 am "Open House" - An informal service without communion. All are welcome, but this service is particularly designed for people who are experimenting with church, or who are not regular or committed church-goers. This service is strictly limited to 45 minutes, but is very variable in format. Usual attendance about 120.

11 am Communion - A service in modern English, not sung. Usually lasts about 40 minutes, including a 5 minute sermon which is generally the same as the one given at 8 am. Usual attendance about 25.

6 pm Choral Evensong - A traditional evening service with a choir. Usually lasts about 50 minutes, including a 10 minute sermon. Usual attendance about 15, plus the choir.

On all other Sundays:

8 am Communion - A traditional, quiet service, not sung, using the old Book of Common Prayer. Usually lasts about 40 minutes, including a 5 minute sermon. Usual attendance about 25.

9.45 am Communion - A service in modern English, sung. There is a concurrent "Sunday School", and a creche is available. Usually lasts about 75 minutes, including a 15 minute sermon. Usual attendance about 125.

6 pm Evening Prayer - A traditional quiet evening service, not sung, using the old Book of Common Prayer. Usually lasts about 25 minutes; no sermon. Usual attendance about 3.

On Thursdays:

9.30 am Communion - A service in modern English, not sung. Usually lasts about 40 minutes; no sermon. Usual attendance - about 20.

Weekdays:

9.30 am Morning Prayers, and
5.00pm Evening Prayers - Have you thought about what happens to the church during the week? Yes, the building can be used between Monday and Saturday, but Jesus said "His House should be a house of prayer".

One way that this is reflected is that the clergy try hard to make sure that at least one of them is in church for two short, said services daily, at 9.30 am and 5 pm. Unfortunately, it is not possible to guarantee absolutely that they will be there.

Why not join them? This will serve a dual purpose. It will provide support for our clergy whilst also providing us with a useful discipline within our prayer life; there is the opportunity to read and reflect upon the Scriptures. What better way to start the day than praying for the world and for our parish? Our troubled world needs all the help it can get.

Useful Information:

• Note that during the holiday month of August, and during special seasons such as Easter and Christmas, these arrangements are likely to be altered. A notice giving up-to-date details, and revised weekly, is posted in the church porch and at the church gate.

• Children and babies are welcome at all services, though small children might find the 8 am and 6 pm services more difficult. Special provision is made for children at all 9.45 am services, and the congregations at these services tend to be younger than at the others.

• Disabled Facilities

HEARING (INDUCTION) LOOP is installed in the church. Hearing aids should be switched to the T-position for reception.

LARGE-PRINT copies of most books and service sheets used in the church are available.

There is good WHEELCHAIR ACCESS from road level to the nave (the body of the church), and there are two areas for wheelchair users and any assistants among the pews.

Improved access to the choir and sanctuary is under review.

Assistance is available at all services.

• The church is generally open every day at least between 9.30 am and 5 pm, and often also on into the early evening. The way in is through the (South) side door, the one facing the main gate. All are welcome to use the building as a place of quiet or for prayer. Many do. We ask you not to smoke within the church building, and to avoid bringing in animals other than guide dogs.

• You can leave requests for prayers on the notice-board in the church porch - anonymously, if you wish. Pen and paper are provided. Bibles are to be found on the shelf under the notice-board at the back of the church.

• Baptisms, weddings, confessions, funerals, and other special services should be discussed with the Vicar in the first instance.

To help you pray in the church, (or elsewhere):

• Wherever you are from, whatever your circumstances, know that you are welcome here.
• Let the peace and stillness of this place surround you as you sit or kneel quietly......
• Let the hurry and worry of your life fall away from you for a while......
• Be sure that whatever your story, you are God's child ... and He loves you and cares for you.
• Sometimes it is enough - or all we can do - just to be here in His presence......
• Sometimes we need to do more ... to speak to Him ... in trouble, or anger or thankfulness.
• Be sure that He will hear your silence, and hear your words ... and He will understand them.
• Give yourself time for Him to bring things to mind.

You may find some of these prompts helpful:

• Lord, I thank you:

  ---> for Your presence here ... for this opportunity to pray ... for Your promise of peace, ... for the beauty of the world ... for the kindness of people,
  ---> for all those whom I love ... for those who love me,
  ---> for Your love towards me,
  ---> and especially for ___ ________
  Lord, may I show You my thanks not only by my words, but by my deeds.

• Lord, I am sorry ... for the times I have:
  
  ---> been hasty or unkind, especially for ___ ________
  ---> acted or thought selfishly, especially for ___ ________
  ---> failed to forgive ... or to ask forgiveness,
  ---> despaired, or felt I was beyond Your reach to help or forgive.
  Lord, for all I have done wrong, I am sorry ... I want to be sorry. Lord, forgive me and help me.

• Lord, I am anxious ... distressed ... angry with You.
  
  Calm my fears, for all things are in Your hands ...
  Carry my sorrows with me, for I cannot bear them alone ...
  Help me to trust Your love ...
  Take my anger and frustration with all that is wrong and evil in my world ... all that crucified You ... and use it in Your service.
  Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

• Lord, I pray for:
  
  ---> my family ... my friends ... my neighbours ... at home ... at work,
  ---> the ones I like ... the ones I dislike ... those whom I would rather forget,
  ---> those who are ill ... those who are in trouble, or who mourn,
  ---> those who seek in vain for justice or for peace.
  Lord, bless them in their various troubles, and show me how I can help.
  

Special Services...