Services
Services in Church
We are starting Sunday services in Church again - at least for a trial period. There will be a service of Holy Communion on Sundays at 10:30am.
It will be a short and simple service without hymns. We will maintain proper physical distancing and hygiene procedures will be observed, especially during the administration of communion which will be wafers only. If you wish to come - and you are welcome to do so - it would be helpful if you could
Then we can have some idea of numbers and make the necessary arrangements. This is an opportunity for those who feel able and ready to attend, and no one should feel under pressure to do so.
Please also see the guidance below on what to expect.
We will continue to record services for each Sunday, which will be available
Guidance for services in St Laurence Church, Downton
What we will be doing:
• We will sit socially distanced. Seat cards will be in place and the steward/warden will be there to assist.
• Service sheets will be available. Please take them home with you.
• There will be no singing in church.
• Communion will be received by wafer only.
• The Vicar will be using hand sanitiser and wearing a mask when handling the wafers.
• During the administration of communion the Vicar will come to you.
• At the end of the service please leave church immediately using the one-way system.
• Toilets will be available but please speak to a steward/warden before using them.
• Tea/coffee will not be available.
What you need to do:
• Please do not come to church if you or a member of your household are showing symptoms.
• If you subsequently develop symptoms, please contact us as soon as possible.
• Please enter church properly distanced.
• Please use the hand sanitiser which will be available just inside the church doors.
• We will ask you to sign in on entry and also leave a contact number.
• Please sit only in the seats marked with a card.
• Facemasks must be worn.
we are responding to the Coronavirus situation.
Service for Sunday 9th August 2020
prayers, reflection and music.
to join in with the prayers and responses.
Compline (Night Prayer)
Compline is a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day.
There is now a recorded service of compline available, and the order of service can be downloaded or viewed online if you wish to join in with the prayers and responses, or prefer just to use the service on your own.
Previous services still available online:
Our recorded services include readings, prayers, a reflection and music. For most of them there is an order of service available to view online or download if you wish to join in with the prayers and responses.
Usual pattern of services (we will resume this as soon as we are able)
8.00am - 1st, 2nd & 3rd Sundays: Holy Communion - Book of Common Prayer *
10.00 am 1st Sunday: Morning Prayer with Hymns ***
10.00 am 2nd & 4th Sundays: Holy Communion with Hymns and Psalm **
10.00 am 3rd Sunday: Church for Everyone **
5th Sunday - Downton Churches Together united service. See below or in the Parish Magazine for details of these services.
We invite you to join us for coffee and biscuits after the 10am services. On 3rd Sundays coffee is served before the service, from 9.45am, as well as after the service.
There will be a Holy Communion service held every Sunday in at least one church in the Team.
If you would like Communion in your own home please contact the Team Rector, Revd Frank Gimson, vicar@stlaurencedownton.co.uk or please complete our on-line contact form.
Which Service for you?
Our 8.00 am service is always *Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer (the traditional 1662 prayer book). It is a quiet service without music.
At 10.00 am on the third Sunday of the month we have an Cafe-style **Church for Everyone. This is informal, of special interest to families and takes place at the back of church.
On the other Sundays of the month (except 5th Sundays) the 10.00 am service is either **Holy Communion, from Common Worship, or *** Morning Prayer.
** Holy Communion, known also as ‘The Eucharist’, ‘The Lord’s Supper’ or ‘Mass’ is a service of readings and prayers that lead up to a symbolic sharing of bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus’ Last Supper.
In addition Holy Communion from Common Worship includes hymns and some sung responses. All services include a sermon or talk or other narrative lasting between 5 and 15 minutes.
*** Morning Prayer, at 10am on the 1st Sunday of the month, is a straightforward,
easy to follow service lasting about 45min. The form of the service follows Common Worship and includes hymns and a sermon.
It may be led by a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader)
A Summer Rota operates in August: -
Only one Holy Communion service each Sunday at either 8am or 10am.
Our church is open daily, during daylight hours, for private prayer.