What to expect at our Church services
Our services begin at 11am on Sunday mornings.
If you have never been to one of our services, or even to Church at all, you may be a bit nervous and wonder what to expect. Please don’t worry, you will find a warm welcome but to give you a bit of an idea, this is what happens in a typical service.
There are two entrances, one at the High Street end of the Church where there are steps, and one at the back where there is level access. On arrival you will be greeted and given an order of service and a hymnbook. You are welcome to sit wherever you like.
A few minutes before the service begins, the candle on the communion table at the front of the Church will be lit. This is the signal for the congregation to finish their conversations and prepare themselves quietly for the service.
The congregation stand as the Minister and Duty Elder enter from the vestry, the Elder brings in the Bible and places it on the communion table. The Church Secretary then welcomes everyone and reads the notices and then the service begins.
During the service there are prayers, talks, readings and hymns. We usually say the Lord’s Prayer together – this can be found at the back of the hymn book.
We stand for the Hymns but sit for everything else. Different members of the congregation will read the Bible readings.
At the end of the final Hymn, the congregation remains standing for the Blessing.
After this, we sit down, and some quiet music is played for a few moments. Please feel free to stay quietly in your seat or chat to someone sitting near you and then you are welcome to join us for a cup of tea or coffee which is served at the back of the Church.
There is a plate at the front of the Church if you would like to make a donation for the work of the Church – we don’t take up an offertory during the service as many prefer to make their gifts online.
On the third Sunday of each month, our service includes the sacrament of Holy Communion. Everyone who loves the Lord Jesus Christ is welcome to take the bread and the wine. You don’t need to go to the front to receive communion, the Elders will serve you in your seat. The bread is cut into small cubes, and the wine is served in small, individual, disposable cups. When you receive the bread, and then the wine, please hold on to them until everyone has been served and then we will be invited to eat and drink together.