The aim of the Forth Sunday services is to support our vision developed through a series of meetings in late 2008 and early 2009, prompted by visits to Haddenham Church and contact with their Café Church team during 2008. Our vision is – Working together as a church to reach and serve our communities with the good news of Christ. First Sunday services started in earnest in May 2009 with a service led by the school focussed on the link between the School and Africa. This service set the tone for the First Sunday services.
Following the May 2009 service, significant effort was put into developing the key aspects of the service. There have been a variety of themes and we have sought to involve young people in all our services. The Boys Brigade, the Brownies and the School have all led excellent services. The First Sunday services have taken place every month since September 2009.
The services are well attended and draw in people from the community, some of whom do not regularly attend church. A clear pattern is developing and the services continue to improve. The services rely on a team of dedicated volunteers who have wonderfully committed their time, experience and skills to deliver improved services. The key ingredient is the ‘wow’ factor, the achievement of real cohesion and togetherness in the service.
The core values of the service are centred on a lively and interactive service – about 40 minutes in length – with time for hospitality after the service. The key aspects of each service are:
a clear Christian theme for the service including prayers and readings
a leader or group who deliver the theme including several short talks or drama
involvement of the community and young people throughout the service
hosts who introduce the service and ensure that the service runs smoothly
a music group who perform before, during and after the service and hospitality with ‘real’ coffee and refreshments
craft activity linked to the service theme
a welcome team to greet people at the door
The team of volunteers meet regularly to review every service and to plan future services in the pursuit of excellence. We have had a very successful first year and we look forward to improving these services to continue ‘to work together as a church to reach and serve our communities with the good news of Christ.’ We are always keen to welcome new volunteers as we seek to develop and improve what we do.
Andy Bird
Following the May 2009 service, significant effort was put into developing the key aspects of the service. There have been a variety of themes and we have sought to involve young people in all our services. The Boys Brigade, the Brownies and the School have all led excellent services. The First Sunday services have taken place every month since September 2009.
The services are well attended and draw in people from the community, some of whom do not regularly attend church. A clear pattern is developing and the services continue to improve. The services rely on a team of dedicated volunteers who have wonderfully committed their time, experience and skills to deliver improved services. The key ingredient is the ‘wow’ factor, the achievement of real cohesion and togetherness in the service.
The core values of the service are centred on a lively and interactive service – about 40 minutes in length – with time for hospitality after the service. The key aspects of each service are:
a clear Christian theme for the service including prayers and readings
a leader or group who deliver the theme including several short talks or drama
involvement of the community and young people throughout the service
hosts who introduce the service and ensure that the service runs smoothly
a music group who perform before, during and after the service and hospitality with ‘real’ coffee and refreshments
craft activity linked to the service theme
a welcome team to greet people at the door
The team of volunteers meet regularly to review every service and to plan future services in the pursuit of excellence. We have had a very successful first year and we look forward to improving these services to continue ‘to work together as a church to reach and serve our communities with the good news of Christ.’ We are always keen to welcome new volunteers as we seek to develop and improve what we do.
Andy Bird