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We
hope anyone who comes to our services feels comfortable and
welcome. If you have never been to church before, or haven't
been for a long time, this page tells you what to expect. This
page describes services at the main church building in Addington
Road. We also hold Sunday morning services at Greenvale Primary
School, which are a bit different - Click
here for the visitors guide to
Greenvale services.
Arriving
As you arrive you will be greeted at the door by a steward.
They will say hello, offer you a sheet with church information,
and can answer any questions you might have. Please feel free to
take a seat where-ever you feel comfortable. Children can
sit with their parents, or together in a group at the front. If
you sit nearer the back, you can see when everyone else sits or
stands! Whilst you wait for the service to start, there is
usually a powerpoint presentation on the screen with
information, news and prayer requests about church activities.
The words for the songs in the service are displayed on a
screen at the front, however if you prefer to use a hymnbook,
these are available in the pews.
The Service
At the beginning of the service, the minister and
deacons enter. The minister gives a welcome, and then
normally we join in a worship song. If you can't sing, no-one
will mind if you don't! There are normally two or three
amplified singers at the front to lead the singing.
The rest of the service varies from Sunday to Sunday, but
will usually include prayers, which we normally sit for, more
hymns and songs, a passage from the bible being read aloud to
the congregation, a talk aimed particularly at the children, a
collection for the running of the church, the notices, and a
sermon (sometimes long and sometimes short, depending on the
preacher!).
The service should last about an hour and a quarter, but
occasionally overruns. If you have to go, please do not feel
embarrassed to leave early.
On the third Sunday morning each month (usually) the service
includes communion, where we remember Jesus's last supper with
his disciples, his death, and resurrection, by sharing bread and
wine together. If you love the Lord Jesus, please share the
bread and wine with us. If you are not sure, just let the bread
and wine pass when they are served to you.
At the end
People generally stand around and talk after the service, and
we try to be friendly! Do make yourself known to us!. We serve
coffee, tea and squash in the coffee lounge after each service,
so please help yourself.
If for some reason you would like someone to pray with you,
please ask one of the prayer team, who will be wearing a badge.
Our Church Building
Our church looks a bit different from the Church of England
and reflects the emphasis of our beliefs.
At the centre, at the front of the church is an empty cross (ie
without the body of Christ), which symbolises that Jesus rose
from the dead, so is not on the cross. His victory over death is
the centre of our faith.
A Bible is open on the table at the front for the church,
which symbolises that God's words in the Bible are our
inspiration and guide.
The communion table at the front is used when we celebrate
the last supper that Jesus had with his disciples before his
crucifixion. He told us to share bread and wine together in
memory of him, so the theory is that we all sit around the
table, but we wouldn't all fit, so the elder's sit there on our
behalf. We don't have a priest and altar, everyone is in
communion with God, and the table symbolises that.
Underneath the stage is the Baptistry. An important step in
our journey of faith is believer's baptism. Baptism symbolises
the washing away of sin, and the celebration of our salvation
through Jesus. At a Baptism service, the person being baptised
testifies to their faith, commits themself to Jesus, and is then
immersed and baptised in the name of Jesus. It's a little
difficult to put into words - come and see, or read more
here.

Contact Us
Please feel free to contact us in advance if
you are uncertain about coming to church for the first time -
details on the contact page. |
Click on the buttons to the left for
more details about Prayer and Worship
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Click the buttons below for other zones
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