Worship lies at the heart of everything we do at St Andrew’s. Each week we gather together to sing, pray, listen to, and reflect upon, the Bible and celebrate the Sacraments of Holy Communion and, on some occasions, Baptism. Through worship we seek to draw near to the heart of God and experience spiritual refreshment and guidance for life.
Sunday Worship
Our main service takes place each Sunday morning at 10.30am. We all gather, sing, pray and listen to a short all-age address. Each week we hear a reading or 2 from the Bible, and the worship leader explores these texts and considers what they have to say to us and our world today. The music takes a variety of styles; sometimes, especially on the first Sunday of the month, we have an organist, at other times we sing to music from a piano or other musical instruments and sometimes we use online music. There is a small play area and tables with craft activities for younger children at the back of the church.
Messy Church
For those wishing for worship aimed specifically at younger children, Messy Church takes place on the second Saturday of every month (except for August) from 3.30 to 5.30pm. It is, like all worship, free and there is a donation basket. Families are invited to stay afterwards and share a simple meal if they want to. The aim of Messy Church is to encourage families to come and hear the Bible stories in a welcoming atmosphere and in a fun way. Find out more about Messy Church here.
Holy Communion
On the first Sunday of each month we share the Sacrament of Holy Communion at our 10.30am Sunday service. We keep an open table at St Andrew’s which means that all are invited to share in the bread and wine if they want to. During the service plates of small bread chunks and individual small cups of alcohol free wine are brought to all those attending worship and people can choose to take or not to take as they feel is right for them.
Cafe Style Worship
On the last Sunday of the month (apart from August and December) we have a more informal Café Style Worship. Everyone sits around small tables so that we can talk to each other as well as listening to the worship leader and the Bible readings. As the conversation flows, refreshments (teas, coffees, juices, home-made cake and biscuits) are served. Craft activities are available for children (and adults if they wish).
Parade Services
Five or six times a year we hold Parade Services attended by members and families of our Uniformed Organisations. Most of these coincide with café style worship, apart from Remembrance Sunday and at Christmas.
Special Services
We also have special annual services, particularly around important times in the Christian year (Christmas, Holy Week and Easter). Full details of these will be available on our website and social media channels.
Everyone is welcome
We hope that the variety of styles of worship means that there is something for everyone, and everyone is welcome to worship with us. Our church building is accessible via a ramp, and we have accessible toilets. Those who can stand for the songs, but many people sit throughout the service. No one kneels. All the words of the songs and the prayers that will be used in the service are projected onto a large screen and, if you give us notice, we are very happy to print off copies with large print for anyone who requires them. We have a loop system in church and all the worship leaders and readers use microphones. We are working towards becoming dementia friendly and some of those who worship with us volunteer at our Forget-Me-Not cafe for people with dementia and their carers. As individuals and as a church we are committed to removing barriers that could make it more difficult for some people to worship God with us. Please let us know if there is anything that could make it easier or more comfortable for you to come. You are assured of a warm welcome.
Livestream
Many of our Sunday Services are livestreamed on our YouTube channel for those unable to join us in person for whatever reason. A full list of our upcoming services can be found here.
More information
For further information, please contact info@standrews.cc. We hope to see you soon.
