What's a service like at St John's?

If you are wondering what it is like to come to a service at St John's, but aren't sure if you would like it, this page gives you a quick tour of what a typical morning service is like. Evening services are similar but have a more informal tone. The only way to find out properly is to come and try it! We will make you very welcome.

When you arrive at St John's, you'll be welcomed by one of the stewards and given a service sheet. This sheet contains everything that we are going to sing, say and hear. It helps you to follow where we are in the service without having to swap between different books.

Once everyone is here, the service leader (one of the staff team or church wardens) will introduce the first hymn or song. Most of the hymns and songs we use are well known, sometimes we will learn a new song as part of the service. The singing is led by the music group for modern songs, and by the choir and organ for traditional hymns.

After a bible reading and another song, the children and young people leave to go to their activities. There are special activities for each age group.

From time to time we have a special family service which is more aimed at children and young people; everyone stays in church for family services.

Then we will have some teaching on a bible passage.The speaker (here it's Melvin, our vicar, but we have a wide range of speakers) will explain what the passage means and how we can apply it in our own lives.

After a time of prayer, which is led from the front by a church member, and a final song, the service ends. Services normally last about an hour.

After the service, we serve coffee and tea in the coffee lounge area of the main church building. This is a great time to get to know others in the church and have a chat.

So that's basically what a service is like. Why not come along and experience the real thing?