Our All-Age worship follows the Roots (Churches Together in Britain and Ireland) themes of the Revised Common Lectionary which follows the Christian Year.
As a prelude to worship, whilst the Minister and Deacons pray, a Candle is lit, a Psalm read and a congregational Introit sung
Musically, we enjoy the traditional hymns that have served the church well for generations as well as including modern and reflective material from, e.g. Stuart Townend, Matt Redman, the Iona and Taize communities. Our Director of Music on Clavinova, accompanied by other musicians from time to time thoughtfully enhance our worship as well as accompanying congregational singing.
We project the service material: hymns/songs, congregational responses, sermon illustrations etc. (Most weeks Pastor shares small gifts with everyone to reinforce the theme of the day). Large print service orders are available for those who prefer them.
A weekly Contact Sheet updates everyone on pastoral news and activities as well as programmes that have taken place or which are upcoming.
Children play an active part in our worship and have their own Sunday Club activities during the ‘sermon slot’. Members of the fellowship welcome, read and lead Intercessions and from time to time form a choir to sing.
A Duty Deacon is available each week to answer questions, welcome visitors and receive pastoral news before and after the service.
Holy Communion: We gather as a family at the Lord’s Table, usually on 3rd Sunday morning. Gluten Free bread is available – please mention to the Duty Deacon before the service if you wish to partake of this. Grapes are served with the wine for the children.
Fairtrade tea/coffee/hot chocolate, biscuits (and cake, if there’s a birthday or anniversary to celebrate) are served in church after the service.
Visitors are encouraged to sign the visitors book, and an information table in the refreshment area promotes international, national and local causes as well as the church’s own publicity.
Nearly all services are recorded onto DVD. Copies are available to loan from the Vestibule, distributed to the housebound to watch at home and copies can be ordered if desired.
We have been blessed to receive from our Mother Church, in Deal (now closed) a beautiful array of banners which adorn The Sanctuary. It is fitted with a sound reinforcement system, a loop for hearing aid users, and wheelchair accessible toilet is available.
Step-free access to the Sanctuary, the Church Hall and the Church Grounds is provided along with the availability of a portable ramp to access the Chancel area for the mobility impaired.
Our pews are fitted with padded pew cushions. (In extreme cold weather blankets are available). Fresh drinking water and glasses are provided in the Vestibule. Pew Bibles inc. large print versions, are provided.
If you wish to light a candle on the votive stand these can be provided at no charge.
Important Notice: Our Minister, The Revd Seyan Tills, after a protracted illness through much of 2016 and with ongoing Parkinsons Disease, is, on medical advice, undertaking light duties and reduced hours. As his health improves he hopes to fulfill more of his calling as Minister in 2017.
Currently, our Minister values the assistance of members of the fellowship, and retired Ministers, Lay Preachers and Ministerial Friends from near and far, to help maintain our Sunday Worship. During the week, the Minister is supported through the Government’s Access to Work Scheme, by Guy Platts who serves as the Ministry Assistant.