Services

What happens during the morning services at St John's? 
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Our services on a Sunday morning start at 10.30am. Our front doors are usually open from around 10.10am, and there is someone in the porch where you come in who will welcome you. You can ask them anything about the service if you would like. If you have children with you they may offer you one of our children's bags with toys and games in. When you enter the Church from the porch please feel free to sit anywhere you like. You can sit at the tables at the back or in the rows of chairs facing the front of the Church. If you want us to pray for anyone then there is a sheet at the table at the back of the Church that you can write names in. This is destroyed at the end of the service. 
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When the service itself starts usually someone will bring in the bible from the door at the side of the Church, followed by our preacher for that day. People stand if they are able at this point. Some one will greet the congregation and people who have stood will then sit. Usually then there will be some notices for the congregation (about forthcoming events etc.) before the service itself starts. 
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During the service itself people are seated throughout, except for the hymns where people usually stand if they are able. Sometimes the preacher may suggest everyone sits during a hymn, perhaps if it is quieter or more contemplative. We usually have somewhere between about 4-6 hymns in a service. Most Sundays we have musicians playing live, but sometimes hymns are accompanied by recorded music. 

A typical service pattern would include hymns, time for spoken prayers (by the preacher), an initial introduction to the theme of the service, and a sermon. The words for the hymns are projected at the front of the Church, but many are available in our hymnbook if you would prefer. If there are any spoken responses to service elements (e.g. prayers), these will also be projected as part of the service. We usually also say the Lords Prayer together at some point during the service and again these words are projected for people to read if needed.

At some point the collection (from a plate that has been placed at the back, there is no obligation to give anything, and the collection plate is not passed around during the service) will be brought forwards to be blessed, together with a sheet on which people may have written the names of those we want to hold in prayer.  At the end of the last hymn people who are able usually remain standing for a final blessing. Often this is spoken by the preacher, but sometimes there is a spoken blessing which is usually projected for people to read. People then usually spend a few moments in quiet personal prayer at the end of the service. 

The first Sunday of the month is a communion service. Communion is served towards the end of the service. Everyone is very welcome to take communion (or decline it) as they wish. The elements of the communion are served to people in their seats. First, people are offered bread (typically gluten free). A square of bread is taken from the plate and eaten straight away. Second, people are offered non-alcoholic wine which is served in an individual small glass. People hold this and everyone drinks together when indicated by the preacher. 
 
Please don't worry if any of your service elements confuse you if you are new, its perfectly fine for you to just remain quiet and seated throughout. No one will worry! We have a relaxed, informal style of worship to which all are very warmly welcome. 
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At the end of the service we serve tea and coffee at the back of the Church and you are very welcome to join us for a time of informal time together. It is also fine to leave straight away. Don't be surprised if someone comes to say hello and welcome you again, and check if you want to speak with anyone. The preacher or Church elders will always be available to take you to our quiet prayer area if you wish. 
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