A Warm Hello
The following information is for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.
Where and When
We meet at Rendlesham Primary School (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10:30am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team who will be wearing a "Welcome" lanyard.
What to expect
Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, unfortunately because we meet in a school we do not have the ability to provide a hearing loop. There are disabled toilets in the main foyer as well as male and female toilets in the changing rooms.
Seating: You can sit wherever you like.
COVID: Hand sanitiser will be available near the door if you would like to use it, and you can wear a mask if you like but this is not a requirement
There will not be a collection: There is a box by the door for anyone who wants to give but we do not ask people for money, we are just glad to see them there. Occasionally we do support worthy causes, e.g. a disaster appeals, but there is no expectation placed on anyone to give.
Our Service:
The whole church is together at the beginning of the service which starts at 10.30am.
After the welcome, there will usually be some notices about what is going to be happening during and after the service as well what is coming up in the life of the church over the next week or so.
Then there will be a time of singing, led by one or more of our musicians, typically 1 or 2 songs lasting up to 10 minutes. There will probably be a prayer during this time and a few verses from the Bible maybe read. We generally stand to sing and sit for the rest of our time together, but if you would rather sit during songs, or need to move around at other times, no one will mind.
We are so pleased that we normally have several children in our services. We really value worshipping God all together as a Church family. After the opening songs, we have a slot specifically for them, although adults are welcome to listen and join in!
Following the next song, Sunday Club (our Children's Programme) starts. The service leader will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. Leaders will wait by the exit to show the children where to go. You will need to go with your children to their groups and register them as part of our safeguarding policy.
The groups are as follows
Creche (0 months to Reception). Children under 6 months are welcome but must be accompanied by their parent/carer at all times.
Class 1 (Reception - Year 2)
Class 2 (Year 3 - Year 6)
Young people (12+ years) alternate between staying in the service and going out for discussions each week.
These groups are all led by people who have been appointed by the church and have all the appropriate safeguarding checks in place.
The activities vary depending on age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, praying, craft, fun games and free play. If your children don't settle in Sunday Club, one of the leaders will come and let you know. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.
Meanwhile, back in the main service, there will be a prayer, a Reading from part of the Bible, maybe another song and then someone, normally one of our leaders, will explain what the Bible Reading means and how it applies to our lives. This "sermon" typically lasts between 20-25 minutes
The service ends with another song, after which tea and coffee will be served as we spend time together chatting and getting to know each other better.
You are free to leave whenever you want, but also free to stay around as long as you would like to!
If you would like to see what goes on in our services, you could watch our services via our Youtube channel for a start. However, it much better to be there in person!
Getting Connected
Small Groups
While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Home Groups to find out more.
Other Ministries
We also run the following groups:
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Men's Groups
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Women's Groups
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Children's & Youth Groups
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Coffee, Cake & Chat / Parent & Toddler Groups
Get in touch with us to plan your visit
If you would like to make contact with the church before coming to a Sunday Service or another groups, please get in touch. We would love to chat with you and answer any questions you might have.
Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit. |
Leadership
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Pastor Dave Rushbrook |
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Assistant Pastor David Brice |
We are so glad that you have been able to visit our website and I hope you find what you are looking for.
If we can be of any help or if you have questions, please get in touch using the form above. |
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Our hope and prayer is that whoever you are, you will feel welcome and at home in Grace Church.
May God bless you!
