When you come to a Sunday Parish Communion service at St James's Church you will be welcomed and given the weekly Church Sheet which includes details of services and events for the forthcoming week, general notices, contact phone numbers and e-mail addresses. You will also be given a Service Booklet which takes you through the service, explaining what is happening and what to say, sing and do. This service booklet now includes the service music for those who can read music. This new service music was composed in 2024 specially for St James's Church by Martin Hinckley, a member of the congregation. There is also a special service booklet for Advent and Lent, also with the music.
Church Seasons
During the Christian Year there are different seasons (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent and Easter) so the services change slightly to match the season. When there is no particular season it is called Ordinary Time.
The Communion Service
The service is explained on the page Holy Communion.
We stand to sing hymns and to say the affirmation of faith, the Creed; and for the reading of the Gospel in the Holy Eucharist. We sit during readings from the bible, the sermon, and the choir anthems. We sit or kneel for the prayers.
It is customary for those receiving communion to have been confirmed by a bishop. Children who are too young to take communion and those who are not confirmed are invited to receive a blessing at the altar instead.
When Christians gather together during a church service, they worship God in different ways, praising God with music, readings from the Bible, prayers, thoughtful silences, and a sermon.
After the Service
The services are followed by refreshments, Parish Breakfast, in the Church Hall. Our Sunday Kitchen Team provides tea and freshly-brewed coffee as well as cakes and hot bites. All our drinks are Fairtrade products.
Find out more
Colours of the Christian Year
Service Garments
Church Textiles
Church Plate
The History of St James's Services
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