Faith

Services

Normal Service Times

Worship in the fellowship of others helps us to grow and learn. Our welcome is warm and genuine so please join us. If you would like to know more or simply know that someone will be there that you know when you come along, contact the Parish Office.

Sunday Worship

9.00am - Parish Communion

10.45am - Morning Praise

6.30pm - Evening Worship

10.00am - Festivals and special services (Easter Day, Pentecost, Patronal Festival, Harvest and Christmas)

Midweek Worship

Daily services

6.45-7.00am Monday to Friday - Early morning prayer (Please note that only exceptions are shown on the diary)

Weekly Services

8.45am Monday - Start the Week with a short service of prayer

10.30am Wednesday - Midweek service alternating between Short Morning Prayer and Holy Communion

8.45am Friday - Stop the Week with a short service of morning prayer

Monthly Services

8.00pm 1st Monday of the month - Prayer evening

8.00pm 3rd Monday of the month - Closer to God

Types of Service

Parish Communion at 9.00am

Parish Communion is a traditional service of communion using the liturgy of Common Worship Order 1. The service includes the singing of hymns, and the music is supported by the choir.

Morning Praise at 10.45am

Designed for all-age worship, our Morning Praise is informal, with singing led primarily by the Music Group. On the first Sunday of the month, the service includes Communion. There are full Junior Church activities each Sunday to which children depart during the service.

Evening Worship at 6.30pm

Our Evening Worship aims to incorporate different traditions and styles, and to encourage us to explore new ways to worship God.

Choir

The Choir sing at the morning Communion services. Celebration Services, weddings, funerals and the occasional Choral evensong. They practice every Wednesday at 7.00pm. New members are always welcome. Contact Karen Ciupak.

For Junior Choir visit the Children and Families section.

Confirmation

Confirmation is an important step on our Christian journey. It is taken when we feel ready to make for ourselves the promises that our parent and godparents made on our behalf when we were baptized as a baby.  There is no specific age at which confirmation takes place, and preparation for confirmation takes the form of classes led by Curate, Jean Lewis. We also offer an 8-week Christianity Explored course which many people often take before becoming confirmed.

The service of confirmation is organised by the Diocese and takes place twice a year at different churches within the Diocese. At a special point in the service, the confirming Bishop places his hands on the candidates, prays over them, confirms them into Christian faith and asks God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to enable them to live their lives faithfully as Christians.

If you would like to learn more about Confirmation, or feel ready to make these promises, please speak let the Parish Office know.

Sermons

You'll be able to listen to our sermon archive very soon.

Prayer and Study

We welcome everyone to all of our opportunities for prayer and study. Being with fellow Christians is a vital ingredient for ensuring spiritual growth.

Prayer

Prayerline gives confidential prayer support between 9.00am and 10.00pm on 01276 475550 or 01276 471012.

Early morning prayers - 6.45am Monday to Fridays. Fifteen minutes of prayer in St John's Church for earlybirds.

Start and stop the week - 8.45am Mondays and Fridays. A short service of morning prayer in St John's Church lasting 15 minutes.

Prayer evenings - 8.00pm-9.30pm on the first Monday of the month. Held at St John's Link.

Closer to God - 8.00pm-8.45pm on the third Monday of the month. A time of quiet, contemplative time of prayer and meditation - and a special way of deepening our relationship with God. The format varies but incorporates silence and meditative forms of prayer. Held at St John's Link.

Prayers for Healing - Prayers for Healing are offered in the St John's Chapel during Communion and Parish Communions and after the Morning Praise service on the first Sunday of each month.

The Prayer Cross - At the back of the church there is a prayer cross. Prayer requests can be hung on the cross, which is presented during the offertory at Sunday morning services. The prayers are then entered in a special Prayer Book which is kept in the St John's Chapel and used during the week.

Quiet Days

Quiet Days are unique opportunities to experience quiet in the company of others. Being silent doesn't mean we have to sit still - you can read a book, look at the surroundings, go for a walk, whatever you feel like doing. Plans for forthcoming quiet days will be made available here.

Parish Weekends

St John's plan retreats at least every two years either at home or away to enjoy worshipping God and exploring aspects of the Christian faith together. They are enriching experiences, fun and suitable for all ages - combining prayer, song, study and fellowship.

At other times during the year, many people from St John's enjoy other Christian festivals including the Spring Harvest and Greenbelt.

Home Groups

As well as friendship and Bible study, Home Groups also offer a time to pray together and support for each other whatever your circumstances. Groups meet either weekly or fortnightly Monday to Friday, morning and evenings. Everyone is welcome to join any group - to find out more please contact Sally Kew.

Courses

Christianity Explored

If you want to find out more about the Christian faith in a fresh and informal way then this is the course for you. It explores who Jesus was what his aims were and what it means to follow him.

You don't have to pray, sing or read aloud. You can ask questions if you like or just come along and listen. Find out more by contacting Lynne Hill.

Lent Course

A Lent Course runs every year during the period of Lent. Each year a new theme is covered where you can explore the Christian faith, tackle the biggest questions facing humanity and examine your own beliefs in the company of others.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details.

Daily Bible Reading Notes

Reading the Bible regularly is an invaluable aid to spiritual life and growth. A wide range of publications is available for all ages, to help in Bible reading and understanding. To find out more contact Mary Witchell.