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Regular services and gatherings
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A warm welcome awaits you at any of our gatherings. As well as gathering for different celebrations across the year, we come together regularly in different ways to share our lives together as a community. We take the time to be with God, recognising who God is and who we are. We seek to offer ourselves to God who is love and seek to listen to and receive all that God offers us as we help each other grow in our relationship with Jesus in our daily lives.
Although different in style, our services and gatherings will generally include hymns, songs, prayer that has been requested for our communities and church family, Bible readings, and a sermon or reflection. You can read a description of each form of services below this table.
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We also celebrate the seasons of the year, the festivals and periods of waiting in the church year, and milestones of life. You can read about these on other pages of this site.
Pattern of services
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This is our regular pattern of services, although it is subject to alteration as the seasons and festivals arise. Do check our Facebook page and A Church Near You for the latest details.
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Communion services
​We hear, reflect upon and respond to readings from the Bible. We give thanks to and praise God, break bread and share wine in response to Jesus’ command to do so ‘in remembrance of’ him and are equipped and sent out to follow Jesus.
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Service of the Word
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At the heart of this service is the Bible, ‘The Word of God’. We hear, reflect upon and respond to readings from the Bible. Worshiping, offering ourselves and seeking to be open to receive God’s presence and the gifts that God offers us.
Growing with Jesus: Children, young people & families
‘Growing with Jesus’ (GWJ) our ministry with children and families continues to grow. We have specific gatherings where children, young people and their adults are the focus. This includes our monthly First@4: gathering held in the more informal space of the St. John’s Hall. It includes bible stories, prayers, songs (often with actions!) and craft activities and much fun followed by hot chocolate, snacks and social
time. From October there will be a second monthly gathering, as we look to grow in our relationships with Jesus and each other.
“I often wish we could freeze moments in time as we observe earnest young faces totally immersed in all that First@4 offers, especially as they grow in Jesus’ love.”
“We are blessed by what we learn from our children and young people each week as a GWJ group of children and young people gather as part of our Sunday morning Communion Services, where they work together to reflect on the readings and share their response.”
‘Wonderful Wednesdays’
At 2pm each week, what is known as ‘Wonderful Wednesdays’ begins. Members of this growing community settle down in their place in our accessible St. John’s Hall, for a relaxed and informal service of Communion which then flows into Cuppa & Chat.
“The hall resonates with friendly conversation as everyone moves around to chat to each other in a manner not dissimilar to musical chairs!”
Journeying Together Fellowship Group
This group meets weekly on a Tuesday at The Vicarage for fellowship, to reflect on the Bible, to worship and to pray for each other.
“For me, the fellowship group is about building community and deepening friendships on our faith journey together as a church.”
Rose Tree Monthly Communion Service
Do you have a family member in Rose Tree Care Home in Mickley? Let us know if you think they would like to join our once-a-month Communion service or receive a visit. These are always very special times with everyone joining in as they are able.
“There is a very real sense of God’s presence touching the lives of those who come and we are all blessed by being there.”
Choral or Sung Evensong
Whether led by our splendid choir or with song led by a small group, this has become a special time in the month for many. We take the time to enjoy the beauty of the ancient words of prayer and scripture and song in this peaceful service in our historic St. Peter’s, Bywell on the banks of the Tyne.