OUR SERVICES
Worship means giving God his worth. We want to offer him the best we can but we know that he accepts us whoever we are and wherever we are in our life. In our worship at St Nicholas we want to reflect this by being inclusive and valuing everyone who comes, believing that they have a unique contribution to make. This is particularly important in what for Norfolk is quite a large town with many different people. In order to help this we have different styles of worship at different times. Although we are a liturgical church and sometimes worship with great pomp and ceremony at other times we worship very simply. Both are really important and both are accepted by God and help to build up his people.
EVERY SUNDAY
8.00am Holy Communion.
A quiet, said celebration of the Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer.
10.00am The Parish Eucharist
This is the main service of the day at which most people, both young and old, gather together to listen to God's word, to have it explained in a sermon, to sing his praise with the help of our church choir or sometimes the St Benet singers and to receive the bread and wine of the sacrament of Communion or come for a blessing. During the service the children of the Sunday Kids Club and the young people of our JAFFA (Jesus A Friend For All) group meet in the halls but join us during the Communion. At the end of the service we have an opportunity to hear or see what they have been doing. Throughout the service a Creche is available in the Children's Corner near the Font. Although there are some helpers parents must be close at hand in church. On special feast days such as Easter, Whitsun, Christmas, etc., we have incense and special ceremonies. On the third Sunday of each month, the service is more informal with a presentation instead of a sermon and with greater involvement of the children and young people throughout the service. Coffee & tea are always served at the back of the church for a time of fellowship after the service. The service is always based on the modern Holy Communion from Common Worship and when appropriate uses special seasonal material.
6.30pm Choral Evensong or Special Evening Service
At the end of the day, a reflective offering of the church with choir (said during August), hymns, psalms, Bible readings, anthem, prayers and address. On festive occasions, it is offered with extra dignity to emphasise some special aspects of our faith. On other occasions we hold a special evening service with Taizé or Celtic worship, or based on a theme. The St Benet Singers often help to lead these.
WEEKDAY WORSHIP
Christian worship is not just a Sunday affair; it is for every day. On behalf of the Christian community and indeed the whole town, the parish church worships and prays each day.
Holy Communion
Celebrated every Wednesday at 9.00am and on Thursdays (market day) at 10.30am (followed by coffee & tea in the hall). The Wednesday service uses traditional language and is held in the Lady Chapel. The Thursday service uses the modern language and is shorter and more informal as well as containing a "Thought for the Day". It is held in the Memorial Chapel.
Daily Prayer
We very much value the daily cycle of prayer and a small group gather each morning at 9am and each evening at 6pm to join in Morning and Evening Prayer (except on Wednesday when it is the midweek Communion at 9am). Anyone is most welcome to come and join the clergy and lay people who gather each day for these prayers. They last approximately 20mins.
Private Prayer
The church is open every day from early morning to late afternoon. You can enter church at any time you wish for a moment of quietness and prayer.
Prayer Requests
If you have a request for prayer, for yourself, your family, or anything you wish, then please use the prayer cards provided on the Intercession Board which is just inside the main door of the church. Your prayer requests will be offered at the Sunday Parish Communion, and during the daily prayers in church. The cards are there for others to read and include in their prayer as well.
Prayer Candles
Increasingly, people are learning the symbolic value of a lighted candle as a sign of Christ, the light of all our prayers. You may like to pray, and then in one of the chapels, light a candle to shine as a sign of hope and faith to others.
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