Our services follow a regular monthly pattern, including formal and informal styles with modern and traditional music. The wide breadth of service styles means that their is something for everyone and therefore a short description of each service is below to give you an idea of what to expect.
Pattern of Services (Descriptions Beneath Table)
| Week | 9.00AM Service | 10.30AM Service (All at St Mary’s Slaugham) |
|---|---|---|
| 1ST SUNDAY | Common Worship Communion @ St Mark’s Staplefield | All Age Service |
| 2ND SUNDAY | Choral Matins @ St. Marks, Staplefield | Holy Communion |
| 3RD SUNDAY | Common Worship Communion @ St. Mark’s, Staplefield | Informal Praise |
| 4TH SUNDAY | 1662 BCP Holy Communion @ St. Mark’s, Staplefield | Morning Worship |
| 5TH SUNDAY | 1662 BCP Holy Communion @ All Saints, Handcross | Café Church |
The 6.30 Service:
As well as the above we have an evening service on the 3rd Sunday of each month at All Saints, Handcross. This is a more relaxed service creating opportunity to rest in God’s presence using a variety of worship and service styles. Refreshments are served from 6pm.
9.00 Early Morning Services:
Our 9.00 am services are largely held at St. Marks Staplefield. These services have a more traditional tone than our 10.30 services with hymns led by an organ / piano (and choir during Choral Matins). At present there is no dedicated children’s work during any of these services with those activities held instead during our main 10.30 celebrations.
Holy Communion & Holy Communion 1662
We hold a variety of communion services throughout the Benefice. St Mark’s Services vary between being spoken Book of Common Prayer and Common Worship Communion with hymns.
The Holy Communion service at St Mary’s uses modern language with hymns led by the organ and songs led by a band.
Choral Matins
A formal service in traditional language with hymns led by the organ and church choir.
10.30 Slaugham Services:
The 10.30 Slaugham service is a family friendly service with activities and teaching for children, a live worship band and an opportunity for prayer and reflection. The duration of services ranges from 60 to 90 minutes with refreshments and a time of fellowship at the end of each meeting.
Below are brief descriptions of the services held each Sunday of the month.
All Age Service – 1st Sunday of the Month
A 60 minute informal service where families can stay together. Worship songs are led by a small band (maybe keyboard, guitar, clarinet), often with actions for children and less inhibited adults! Children are encouraged to be a part of the service but a crèche is available for under-4s.
Holy Communion – 2nd Sunday of the Month
A more traditional service in modern language having hymns accompanied by the organ with worship songs from the band as well concluding with the distribution of Communion. Provision for children is made in the form of small groups for different ages and a crèche.
Informal Praise – 3rd Sunday of the Month
A more relaxed style of service with extended times of sung worship and opportunity for response to what God is saying through the service. We also often have an update from one of our mission partners or one of the organisations that we support (children’s groups also run during this service).
Morning Worship – 4th Sunday of the Month
A slightly more blended service, in modern language with hymns accompanied by the organ and worship songs from the band. (Children’s groups also run during this service).
Cafe Church – 5th Sunday of the Month (When occurring)
A more relaxed service with refreshments served throughout the morning. The Church is set up with tables and chairs to allow for discussion and fellowship. Talks are more engaging and more evangelistic in emphasis making it the ideal service for those exploring the Christian faith. (Children’s groups also run during this service).