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On Sunday there are two morning services. The first is at 9.30 am and is of a traditional nature, typically including Methodist hymns led by choir and organ, prayers, scripture readings and a message from the preacher. The number of people attending this service is about 40.
Coffee is served at 10.30 am between the two services so that the two congregations can mingle and share fellowship.
The second service at 11.00 am is more contemporary in nature. Formats vary from week to week but often include modern worship songs led by the music group, sharing and prayers by the congregation, and a message specially for the children as well as one for the adults . Also we sometimes include drama, puppets and music ministry. Often there is time at the end of the service for individual prayer ministry. The first Sunday in the month is a ‘Family and Parade’ service where most of the children take part in the whole service and the uniformed organisations are present. During other services the ‘Junior Church’ operates so that the children can take part in teaching suitable for their age groups. A crèche is also provided so that parents (if they wish) can take part in services without the distraction of babies and toddlers. The attendance at this service is about 150.
At different times during the year the whole church follows a theme where the preachers (both our own and visiting) follow a series of teaching. This theme is also studied in the house-groups.
There is a regular evening service once a Month usually on the 2nd Sunday. This is a Service for teaching, healing and exploring the other gifts of the Spirit. On different occasions in the year there are special evening services. These include special youth services, experimental worship, joint services with other churches and special celebrations.
There is a large junior church of around 75 young people which meets most weeks during the latter part of the second service. The ages range from 3 to 16 years and they are divided into different age groups. They meet in different rooms in the church and in the youth worker’s house. Many church members give up time to prepare and work with the young people during this time. JUNIOR CHURCH ROTAS
During the week, many people meet in informal groups in people’s homes for Bible study, fellowship and prayer. Each group has its individual characteristics and follows its own format. When the church is following theme preaching, the groups follow this up with more in-depth study and discussion.
GROUPS AVAILABLE
- Monday 2.00 pm Chesham House Group - 53 Hanson Street
- Monday 8.00 - 67, Fairlands Rd Housegroup
- Monday 8.00 pm - Re-Group, 8, Lowes Rd
- Tuesesday Afternoon Ladies Home group once a month.
- Tuesday 7.30 pm - Cake or Death Housegroup 12, Linton Ave
- Thursday 10 - 11.30 am or 1.30 - 3 pm Mary’s Vineyard (Goup for Women)
On Sunday evenings an informal discussion group meets for a ‘housegroup’ like evening. Discussions focus on current events important to young people today, adding a Christian perspective. Ideas and information are often presented in the form of games, drama or other fun activities. Youth in years 7 - 9 meet from 6 - 7.30 pm and years 10 and older from 7.30 - 9 pm. Incorporated into this plan is a monthly meeting with everyone from 6 - 9 pm where speciality groups are formed. There is a choice of creating and practising drama, writing for the youth newsletter or working on a craft project such as making a worship banner. For more information, please visit: www.sfyouth.com
The circle meets on Tuesday evenings at 7.30 pm during the Summer months. From October we meet in the afternoons at 2.30 pm. We share fellowship and learn from God’s word. We are happy to welcome new members during the year and again we issue a cordial invitation to any ladies who would like to join us. Our minister, Rev. Mark Roper, sometimes attends our meetings along with a variety of visiting preachers. Speakers are much appreciated and we learn a lot from the subjects they choose. We continue to sponsor Demetrea in Bolivia. Her letters are a delight to receive and show how much our support is appreciated. During the year we often celebrate several special birthdays (ending with ‘0’) and other milestones (e.g. Golden weddings) as well as sharing in social events. These events draw us closer together and make us very aware of the loving fellowship we share.
Many people in the church enjoy singing modern worship songs and some people are called to use their skills in playing instruments, singing and using PA sound systems and projection. This group meets weekly on a Thursday evening from 8.00 - 10.00 p.m. to prepare for the services.
The choir meets on Thursday evenings at 7.30 - 8.30 p.m. to practice hymns to lead worship at the 9.30 am service. We also practise items to perform at special services such as Christmas and Harvest. Anyone who enjoys this form of singing is welcome to join the choir.
This is a group formed specifically to plan and lead the Family/Parade services which are held on the first Sunday of each month at 11 am. The Music Group are part of this and practise on the previous Wednesday to the service at 7 pm.
Prayer meetings take place at different times and different venues weekly. For more information please contact Ian McKernan.
Also see Diary of Events
This is a women’s group for Christian fellowship and support. The meetings take place every week on Thursdays but are alternate mornings (10 - 11.30 am) and afternoons (1.30 - 3 pm) (apart from school holidays). This is to accommodate the needs of group members. Ladies are welcome to attend weekly, fortnightly, monthly or just when they can. We meet at 8, Lowes Rd . For further information contact Janet Vipond 0161 797 3902.
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