To help you feel at home in our services we would like to tell you a little about what happens during a typical service. We have no specific order of service and so each Sunday is different, but here are some of the common elements. Everything we do is part of our worship and each aspect is as important as the rest.
Welcome
As you arrive at Church don’t be afraid to walk through the door, you will be made welcome. Someone will quickly introduce themselves and help you to feel at ease. We have several entrances – the front door at the top of the path will take you straight into the main church and the side doors to the left , enters the hall where you will find the toilets and all the other facilities. You can also access the main body of the church from here.
Singing
Hymns and songs are projected on the screen at the front of Church, the hymns are also available in hymn books or printed in folders. During the service we will have different activities in singing, music and prayer. We like to express our worship in different ways. Some people will stand – others will sit, some may raise their hands as an expression of what they are singing. We would like you to feel free to do whatever you feel is most comfortable for you.
Psalm 66:1-2 – Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!
Offering
The offering is part of our worship and is seen as an act of thanksgiving, an offering of money and ourselves. Its not just a collection. There is no obligation to give so please do not feel embarrassed to pass the bag on, the church members are responsible to ensure the church meets its needs. The offering is used for the work of the church and some will also go to support missionaries and other charities. Many members allow their financial offering to be Gift Aided.
Acts 20:35 – In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Scripture and Message
Within each service, words from the bible will be read (usually from the New International Version, NIV). A message will be taught usually based on the scripture reading.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
Children and young people
Children are very important to us and we believe that they have a vital role to play in our life together. We all meet together initially and then, during the service, the children go to their own group (junior church depending on their age) . Please feel free to go with the children and return to the service when you (and they) are ready.
Children are always welcome at our services and we try to help them participate and enjoy the experience. There is no expectation of total silence during services.
Matthew 18:5 – And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
Communion
At least once a month we share in Communion (The Lord’s Supper). We do not expect you to be baptised (or confirmed) in order to take the bread and wine. If you sincerely love Jesus and acknowledge Him as Lord, we welcome you to join with us, but there is no pressure to do so.
If, for any reason, you do not wish to take part, please feel free to let the bread and wine pass you by.
You will find that the bread and wine are brought to you. We usually eat the bread as it is served but the individual glasses of wine are retained for drinking together.
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 – The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Tea & coffee and biscuits
Tea and Coffee are served in the hall after every service. Everyone is invited to join us in this informal time, which is an important time to support each other and part of our worship.
Wheelchairs
Much of the building is accessible and an area suitable for wheelchairs is provided in the chapel, in front of the screen. A disabled toilet is available.