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Horsham United Reformed Church |  |
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Sunday 10.30am Morning Worship (with Crèche and Minister: Revd John Du Bois Secretaries: Mrs Sonia Fletcher & Mrs Margaret Bayliss Tel. +44(0)1403 262262 Our Church We are a friendly and reasonably energetic church family, praising the Lord together, praying together, learning together, and reaching out and sharing the joy of Christian faith. We have a proud
history of independent worship and service in our well situated and well served Our Sunday morning services are relaxed and friendly times of fellowship in worship, with many of the congregation contributing in different ways. In addition, we engage in a wide variety of worship including evening and ecumenical services, junior church, our village church, prayer meetings, hospital services and housegroups. Our church is well known in the district and by churches in the town for our commitment to a wide range of outreach and ecumenical activity. Within the church building we have a twin manual pipe organ (unusual in a new church) which is used in most services. There are microphones and an induction loop to ensure all members of the congregation can hear. The service is also transmitted to other parts of the building, as needed. There is a small car park at the rear of the building with additional public car parking nearby. Worship The majority of our congregation feel most comfortable with a style of worship which could be described as being along traditional non-conformist lines. Nevertheless, many enjoy occasional alternative styles of worship (e.g. interactive calls to worship, slide shows, dramatic performance of Bible scenes). Communion Communion is
celebrated on the first Sunday of each month at both churches.
Horsham celebrates it on Easter morning and at All age communion services are arranged two or three times a year so that children, at their parents' discretion, may share in the celebration. Service content and structure The worship style is relaxed and flexible and is baed on the Revised Common Lectionary and the themes outlined in the “Children’s Ministry” material, which is also used in the junior church. The service usually commences with a short meditation, led by a member of the congregation. The Bible readings (there are normally two) are also read by members of the congregation and are sometimes dramatised. The first part of the service is usually a family worship, including a family talk. The worship continues in smaller groups: the young people departing with their leaders to their own activities in the junior church ; the remaining congregation continuing in worship in the main sanctuary . Involvement in the service from all ages within the congregation is actively encouraged. Some services being led by members of the church family. A prayer diary is available to all for requests for prayer on matters of personal concern. This diary is used in the prayers of intercession and at the weekly prayer meetings. There is a regular
early morning service (9.15) which is geared to families with children.
The worship is less formal and includes more contemporary songs than the
normal 10.30 service. The
Family Mix services (TFM) are led by the leaders and children of the There is also a monthly mid-week “take a break” service following a light lunch on a Wednesday. Music Hymns are from
"Rejoice and Sing", "Songs and Hymns of Fellowship" and
"Songs of Fellowship". Whilst our hymns are normally led by the organ,
a small music group (guitars, flute, oboe
Healing services We have occasional healing services at Horsham. The focus of these services is on healing and reconciliation. Members of the congregation can receive the laying on of hands by the minister and/or those elders, both serving and non-serving, who feel called to this particular ministry. Outreach, Mission & Ecumenism We work closely with the local Bible Society Action Group, our own Calcutta Fund, CWM and Christian Aid. Links
with We enjoy good
relations with members and clergy of Fellowship Times of fellowship with one another sometimes focus on spiritual content, with Bible study and prayers. All times of fellowship are important in helping us to grow together as a happy and flourishing church family doing God's work in Horsham and the world, providing opportunities to learn about each other by listening, observing and sharing. Women's Meeting - CAMEO This group meets on the 1st Tuesday evening of every month and includes prayers, hymns and care for absent members together with an interesting programme of activities (visiting speakers, quizzes, musical afternoons, etc.) All are very welcome. Coffee Mates This is held on Wednesday mornings and is open to all to meet and talk. Housegroups One afternoon and three evening housegroups take place fortnightly. The housegroups are led by church members in members' homes and meet for fellowship and exploration of Christian faith. Children and young people Children and young people are a valued part of our church family. Great efforts are made to include them in as much of our church life as possible. This includes spiritual and social involvement, as well as contributing to some of the duties of the church. Regular opportunities are provided for the children to join the rest of the church family in the celebration of communion. We seek to ensure
that children and young people feel safe, welcome and valued in our midst. The
junior church leaders strive to base our work with the children on the URC
Children's Charter. A youth club for those aged 9+ meets fortnightly on a Friday evening from 7 – 9. Junior church All but the very
youngest children (for whom a crèche is provided) share in the first part of
the Sunday morning service. As the children and their leaders leave for their
own activities, the rest of the congregation greets them with a blessing to
which they enthusiastically respond. The
Children and young people are encouraged to contribute to the worship by readings, leading prayers, responding to questions and by presenting the message of the Gospel through drama. Some of them also contribute as members of the music group. Uniformed organisations Catering for all ages, there is a thriving Scout Group, consisting of a beaver colony and cub pack and a Brownie Guide Group. The young people in the uniformed groups are drawn from a wide area around Horsham, including local villages. Providing these young people with access to the church in this way is an important outreach, not only to the young people, but to their parents also. All the groups are well attended and they are encouraged to play their part in the life of the church and to attend the three parade services held each year. Toddlers A thriving toddler group, established for over 16 years, meets weekly in the church hall during term time. The toddlers enjoy a variety of toys and activities while the mothers/carers have the opportunity to chat with each other and with the volunteers from the church who help serve the refreshments.
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