Pattern of Services at St Mark's Church, Bilton

Sundays

The Sunday services in Church for the current month are listed on the News page.

Format of the main services:
The Parish Communion service is based on the new Common Worship (CW) liturgy. There is a Creche for babies up to 3 years of age and a Junior Church for children aged 3 to 10 years which run in the adjacent Church Centre. St Mark's Church Choir help support the worship  with the addition of the music group on the fourth Sunday. After an opening prayer and Hymn the Ministry of The Word follows including a sung Gloria, Collect, Epistle, Gradual Hymn and Gospel.
A short Sermon now follows which is based on the the readings. After prayers we have 'The Peace', where everyone is invited to greet their neighbour, and this is followed by the Offertory Hymn. The Prayer of Consecration comes next and generally includes a sung Sanctus and Benedictus. The Lord's Prayer precedes the 'Ministers Communion', during which there is normally a Choir introit, Taizé Chant or short anthem.

EVERYBODY is welcome to come to the communion rail for a blessing. EVERY ADULT who has been confirmed or who is in good standing with and a member of any mainstream Christian denomination is welcome to take Communion with the Family of St Mark's. The children join us at this point for a blessing

Quiet Hymns, Choruses and other appropriate music accompany administration of Communion. After the  Blessing, concluding Hymn, and notices, the Junior Church group give 'feedback' on their morning activities. EVERYONE is invited to stay behind for coffee, tea or squash.

Evensong follows the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) with four Hymns and frequently has a chanted Psalm and Canticles. A choir Anthem is normally sung after the Third Collect. Four times a year the choir will perform a setting of the Canticles and more complex anthems are sung at festivals. A sermon is always preached at Evensong; there is sometimes a 'linked Sermon series' based on an important biblical topic.

Weekdays

Baptisms are held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 12.15pm. We are very glad to baptise babies who live in St Mark's parish. We ask their parents to attend baptism preparation on morning of the 2nd Sunday of the month before arranging a date for the baptism. Baptism preparation starts with the Family & Parade Service at 10am, followed by coffee and three-quarters of an hour of baptism preparation. For more information, please contact the Parish Office (Tel: 01788 810641) between 9am and 2pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays or between 10am and 12 noon on Wednesdays, or e-mail  St Mark's Parish Office.

Weddings  are normally held on Saturdays at 12.30, 2.00 or 3.30pm. Please contact the Parish Office (Tel: 01788 810641) between 9am and 2pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays or between 10am and 12 noon on Wednesdays to make an appointment with our Weddings Office. The Weddings Office will oversee the arrangements for your service.

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