Worship and Services
Sunday Service
We welcome you to the Sunday service at 9.45am with Communion.
Come to our small, ancient church. It is ‘church like it used to be’. We follow the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. Readings are from the Authorised Version of the bible (the ‘King James’ bible). And we sing four traditional hymns from the New English Hymnal.
So, join the many who live in the parish and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and a traditional service that we know and love.
The service is led by Herbert Bennett, our Associate Vicar. On occasions, Peter Shears, Lay Reader, leads Morning Prayer without communion. You are very welcome at any of our services. Afterwards you can enjoy tea and coffee and biscuits in Cliffe Hall right next door.
Also, on the first Wednesday of every month we have a ‘said’ Holy Communion service at midday.
For our many special events throughout the year, see our What’s On Diary.
The 1662 Book of Common Prayer
We rejoice in the beauty, poetry, majesty, and depth of spirituality of the much-loved 1662 Book of Common Prayer and the 1611 Authorised Version of the Bible.
- The Book of Common Prayer was first introduced by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer in 1549. It was finalised under an Act of Uniformity in 1662. It is the founding liturgy of the Anglican church.
- All readings are taken from the King James Bible, the ‘Authorised Version’ published in 1611 under the auspices of King James I.
- Our Sunday morning service includes traditional hymns from the New English Hymnal.
More on the Old Testament
There’s a great line in the Alan Bennett play ‘The History Boys’ where Hector says that “history is just one damn thing after another”. In one sense that encapsulates the Old Testament.
At the same time, the reality is that what is recorded is inevitably interpreted, so that the record is coloured by the perspective of the person who is telling the story. For instance, whether a person is a terrorist or a freedom fighter depends on whom you are asking. So all reported reality is inevitably interpreted.
The Old Testament is ‘salvation history’ and is the record of God’s gradual revelation and ultimate direct intervention into the affairs of mankind. And because the Israelites were more history-conscious than any other people in the ancient world, we now we have the Old Testament.
What many of us don’t think about is that none of the Bible was written in English: everything we read has been translated. While the New Testament was written in Greek (an Indo-European language), the Old was mainly in Hebrew, with a little in Aramaic. These latter languages don’t translate easily, and added to that problem is the fact that copyists (there weren’t any printing presses!) inevitably made a few errors, and we can start to realise that we have to look carefully at whatever version of the Bible that we are reading. Certainly, most of the copyist mistakes have been rectified but the various shades of meaning in the text are important reasons for bringing our intellectual capacity to closely examine what we are reading, as well as making use of some notes.
A subtle nuance can make a huge difference. For instance, in the New when Jesus describes Peter as a “rock” on which to build his church, it could be interpreted as Peter being an incredibly solid and firm foundation, or it could also be interpreted that Peter is a ‘blockhead’, thick as two short planks, and that, even so, he will be the foundation of the church. Both interpretations would be valid and each tells us something important about the early church and Jesus’ message of salvation for all mankind. Indeed, both interpretations are probably valid simultaneously, since Peter was probably both a firm foundation and also a blockhead.
As you read the Old Testament, remember that it is really divided into sections. The first five books are known as the Pentateuch (literally “five scrolls”) and are traditionally known as the so-called “five books of Moses”. In Jewish tradition they are the Law or Torah and they elaborate the basic themes of Israel’s tradition. These themes are summed up in a beautiful confession of faith which has been preserved in Deuteronomy 26.5-10. Read it through and remember that it is very ancient, having been handed down orally, long before this written version. Following the Pentateuch there are the Prophets and the Writings. Within the Prophets there are the Former (Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings) and Later Prophets, both Major (Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel) and Minor (12 books – Hosea to Malachi). After those, there were the Writings. All the sections are different in their emphasis, so try to determine the nature of that emphasis and who it was being written for.
Now, find a reputable published commentary that is at a level you find comfortable – and get reading. I’m sure Fr Herbert can point you in the right direction. There are some ripping good stories, as well as beautiful poetry and saucy romances. Something for everyone. In the first instance, just read and enjoy; critical analysis can come later!
Fr Neville (Down Under in Australia, but at St Thomas in our summer months)
Jeremy, one of our four organists.
The Church of England Year
Here are the highlights of the Church of England year. There are services at St Thomas’ on the days MARKED IN BOLD TYPE. Our other Sunday services, every week at 9.45am, are not included here.
Saturday 6th January: Epiphany, the revelation of the Christ child to the wise men, runs until 27th January.
Friday 2nd February: Presentation of Christ in the Temple.
Wednesday 5th March: Ash Wednesday (the day before Lent begins) when we mark ourselves with the sign of the cross in ash. It prepare us for our Lenten journey until Easter.
Tuesday 25th March: Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
PALM SUNDAY, 13th APRIL, 9.45am The start of Holy Week.
MAUNDY THURSDAY, 17th APRIL, 7pm A said service for the institution of the Last Supper – Holy Communion.
GOOD FRIDAY, 18th APRIL, 9am A said service to mark Christ’s crucifixion that led to his resurrection and victory over death and sin, celebrated on Easter Sunday.
Saturday 30th March: Holy Saturday and Easter eve.
EASTER DAY SUNDAY 20th APRIL, 9.45am We celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
Thursday 29th May: Ascension Day, when the risen Jesus returns to the Father in Heaven. (There is a large 17th-century painting of the Ascension in the north aisle.)
WHITSUN SUNDAY, 8th JUNE, 9.45am Whitsun (or Pentecost) marks the coming of the Holy Ghost.
TRINITY SUNDAY, 15th JUNE, 9.45am We celebrate the Trinity of God – Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Then begins the long season of Trinity and Ordinary Time in the church’s year.
ST THOMAS’ DAY, SUNDAY 6th JULY, 9.45am We celebrate this day as our own saint’s day, our Patronal Festival.
Saturday 1st November: All Saints Day. We remember all those men and women in history who by their holy lives have revealed something of God’s glory.
Saturday 1st November: All Souls Day. We remember with thanks all those who have helped us on our journey of faith by their example and their lives.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY, 9th NOVEMBER, 9.45am The national service of remembrance of all those who have served and sacrificed.
END OF TRINITY, SUNDAY 23th NOVEMBER, 9.45am Trinity season finishes, the last Sunday before Advent.
ADVENT BEGINS, SUNDAY 30th NOVEMBER, 9.45am The season when, out of the darkness, God’s redeeming light shines. It brings the promise of the coming Messiah Christ child to be born to Mary at Christmas. Advent Sunday is also the start of a new church year.
CHRISTMAS EVE, Wednesday 24th DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS DAY, Thursday 25th DECEMBER
See our What’s On page for more information. See also the Church of England’s full Calendar with Principal Feasts and other Principal Holy Days, and Festivals.
Orthodox worship
We are delighted that the congregation of the Orthodox Parish of the Nativity of Christ also meet and worship in our church. It is not connected with the Russian Orthodox Church. Their parish is part of the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, belonging to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in the Eastern Orthodox Church. To find out about their services visit the Orthodox Church website.
The 1662 Book of Common Prayer
Read why the prayer book we use brings us so close to God