What to expect when you visit.
Please see the diary for details of afternoon and evening services and events.
Covid restrictions have been lifted, but if you need reassuring as to how we’re doing things please do get in touch beforehand. If you can visit us you’ll be warmly welcomed at the door and helped to find a place to sit where you’ll feel comfortable. Social distancing rules are no longer in place, but the balcony is still available to use for those who prefer to maintain that two meter distance. Masks are now voluntary and we’re back to sung worship. The service is broadcast live on ‘Zoom’ for those who aren’t able to attend in person. Please get in touch for details of how to join on Zoom.
The format of the service is best described as ‘traditional’. Not ‘fuddy-duddy’, but orderly and reverent, and we respectfully point out that ‘Tongues’ and ‘prophecies’ and ‘words of knowledge’ do not play a part in Sunday worship. That said, under the oversight of the leadership time can be found for a short word of testimony to the Lord’s goodness as it’s worked out in our individual and corporate lives.
We sing hymns and choruses from the New Christian Hymns, and from a hymn supplement compiled by the fellowship. Four hymns is the norm and singing is accompanied by piano with clarinet.
We always take time during the service to join our hearts before the throne of God’s grace in corporate prayer and of course the word of God is read. Our bible version is the English Standard Version and pew bibles are available. The preaching of God’s inerrant and infallible Word is central to the worship service. We are a fellowship who love to be ‘fed’ spiritual food from the pulpit, so a bible text is always expounded, explained and applied, and the preacher will usually take about 35 minutes to do that. (The latest messages can be heard here.) The service always concludes with a hymn and a benediction.
If you’re new to church and don’t know what to expect you may feel a little apprehensive about a visit. If that’s you, please be assured that you are welcome just to sit and listen and observe. You won’t be asked to do anything and you won’t be asked to give anything, we don’t take a collection. On the way in you may be offered a hymn book and a bible but don’t feel at all obliged to use them. Being a friendly bunch someone may come up to say hello, but if you tell them you’re just here to watch they’ll fully understand.
We begin at 10.30am and aim to finish at about 11.45am.
At the end of the service we serve light refreshments. Visitors are welcome to stay and chat or quietly slip away. It really is up to you. And of course you’re very welcome to get in touch in advance to ask any questions you may have.
The Lord’s Supper
On the first Sunday of the month we take time to come together around the Lord’s Table, (you may know this as the ‘breaking of bread’ or ‘holy communion’). At the moment this is a short simple service of remembrance which adds ten or fifteen minutes onto the end of the morning service.
We operate an ‘open table’ policy. This means all repentent sinners who are trusting in the Lord Jesus and who are at peace with their brethren are welcome to join us in our time of remembering the death of Jesus until he comes again.
If you’re not a Christian, we understand the bread and the (non-alcoholic) wine will have no real significance or personal meaning for you. We sincerely hope you will still feel able to stay with us and just observe what we do. And of course, should you have any questions regarding what you see, we’ll be happy to answer them over a cuppa at the end.
In addition
There is currently no regular Lord’s Day evening service. But please keep an eye on the diary, and see below for Sundays when other events are taking place in the afternoon or evening.
Life Explored
Why not come along to our Life Explored Course which will run at the church on the following Sundays at 2pm. It’s perfect for anyone looking for answers to life’s big questions. Click on the picture above to see what it’s all about.
- 24th October – Session 1 The Good God
- 7th November – Session 2 The Trustworthy God
- 21st November – Session 3 The Generous God
- 05th December – Session 4 The Liberating God
- 9th January – Session 5 The Fulfilling God
- 23rd January – Session 6 The Life-Giving God
- 06th February – Session 7 The Joyful God
The morning service will run as usual at 10.30am followed by a ‘bring and share’ lunch from about 12 noon followed by Life Explored at 2pm. You’re very welcome to join us for any or all, but please get in touch to book a place on the Life Explored Course and we’ll make sure we have a booklett with your name on it.