Worship
Faith and Study
The challenge of being able to live ‘lives of faith’ in this 21st century is at the heart of our ministry at St John's and Holy Trinity. To help us in this we run several courses throughout the year, often ecumenical and particularly at Advent and Lent.
There is a weekly prayer meeting on Thursday mornings, starting with one of the day's readings, followed by 15-20 minutes of prayer time concluding with the Lord's Prayer. Tea and coffee are available afterwards. For more information please phone (0114) 327 7748.
Morning prayer runs every day, Monday to Thursday at St Johns, with a Bible reading followed by quiet prayer time. There is Morning Prayer at Holy Trinity on Monday and Thursday.
For younger members there are two groups that meet on Sunday mornings at Holy Trinity - Sunday Group and Hotstuff - joining the rest of the congregation in church mid-way through the Eucharist.
From time to time we have held a parish weekend away, or a study day more locally, to give an opportunity for prayer, discussion and renewal, and there is usually a parish outing in September
All of this has to be rooted in prayer, and we try very hard to be people of prayer - a ‘praying community’.
Services
Parish Communion
Sunday worship at both our churches is centred on the Eucharist (Communion), which takes place in at least one of the churches each Sunday morning at 10.00 am.
Joint Worship
On the 4th Sunday of each month, the congregations of both churches celebrate the Eucharist together – alternately at St John’s and Holy Trinity. Please check What’s On to be sure of finding a Parish Eucharist in any particular week. The Eucharist is traditional in style, with a choir, though our use of the Common Worship Liturgy gives us plenty of opportunity for ‘variations on a theme’.
All-Age Worship
On the first Sunday of each month, the 10.00 am Parish Eucharist at Holy Trinity is normally replaced by a service of “All-age Worship”, which may or may not include a celebration of Communion. We also have all-age worship at St John's on the second Sunday of the month. The service may include a ‘play’ or activity led by our young people or a child-friendly, interactive sermon. This is an ideal service for those who feel the stress of taking their young children to church. Again, please check with What’s On to be sure of the pattern of worship in any particular week.
For Children
Children of all ages are welcome to stay in both churches throughout all services. However, there is also a crèche for the youngest children every Sunday at Holy Trinity and a comfortable area in the south transept where slightly older children can look at books or make pictures.
The children’s corner at St John’s has recently been refurbished and makes a pleasant space for parents to sit with young children and from which they can still see and hear all that is going on in the church and feel a part of the service.
On Sundays in term-time at Holy Trinity, other than 'all-age worship’ days, older children may attend Sunday Group (4-11) or Hotstuff (10-14), re-joining the rest of the congregation in time to receive Communion, or a Blessing, at the altar-rail.
Holy Communion
For those who like a quieter time, there is an 8.00 am service of Holy Communion at St John’s on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month (both Book of Common Prayer) and on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at Holy Trinity, using the Book of Common Prayer on the 2nd Sunday and Common Worship on the 4th.
Evening Services
There is usually an evening service at 6.30 pm on the second Sunday of each month (alternately at St John’s and Holy Trinity): our evening services take a wide variety of forms and have included both choral evensong and Taizé-style worship.
Wednesday Communion
There is a service of Holy Communion at Holy Trinity each Wednesday at 10.00 am and at St John’s on the first Wednesday of each month at 10.15.
Café Church
Café Church is an informal, relaxed gathering with modern worship: this is a chance to meet and chat with others and of course there will be tea & coffee. We aim to be equally accessible to people who are already Christians and those wondering about faith and to adults and children alike.
Each month we meet for around 45 minutes in the church hall at Holy Trinity, sitting around tables (café-style) rather than in rows. Each service involves some singing together, a short Bible reading followed by a practical activity and interactive prayers.
Café Church is held at Holy Trinity Millhouses at 4pm on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Whether you’re a familiar face from the congregation or one of our toddler groups, or if we’ve never met you before, you are warmly welcomed to join us at Café Church – we’d love to see you there. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Community of the Cross of Nails
Each weekday at 12 noon, there is a short service in Coventry Cathedral when they pray the Litany of Reconciliation. As part of our membership of this community, we hold a short litany once a month by the war memorial at St John's church at 12 noon, please see this leaflet (opens pdf) for times in 2019.
See the What's On calendar of the month for details related to specific dates, variations and any additional services. There is a richness and variety in our worship that we hope will challenge and inspire. We would love to welcome you.
Baptism
A Baptism (or Christening as it is often called) is the first step on an amazing journey; a time to thank God for the gift of life and to acknowledge his love for us all. At the Church of England website you will find all you need to know about choosing, planning and going to a Church of England Christening. The website has useful information about what a Christening is, choosing Godparents, preparing for the big day and a step by step guide to the service. Then it’s time to speak to someone at church and a call (0114 249 0377) or message to the vicar will set the ball in motion. We are always pleased to hear from anyone wanting to arrange a Christening.
Weddings
If you are thinking about getting married in church why not drop in and see what our churches are like. You will be very welcome at one of our Sunday Services or call in during the week and take time to imagine what your wedding would be like in that place. Our two churches have quite a different feel to them so do visit them both.
As well as looking at the church building you will need to talk about this important step you are about to take and start making some plans by speaking to the vicar. We would love to share this special day with you.
Please contact our Vicar for informaton on getting married in one of our churches.
Funerals
The Church is here to help you through one of life’s most difficult times. A Church of England Funeral is available to everyone, giving support before, during and after the service for as long as it is needed. Click here to see how we can help.
The church grounds at Holy Trinity include (beyond the car park) a peaceful Memorial Garden, a place for quiet reflection where loved ones no longer with us can be quietly remembered.
The Garden of Remembrance at St. John’s has been recently extended and graced with a beautiful memorial stone.
There are Memorial Books in both churches; near the Lady Chapel in Holy Trinity and near the Vestry Door in St John's, and a special Service of Remembrance is held in a church each year on or around All Souls Day (2nd November) at which departed relatives are remembered by name.
Please call 0114 249 0377 or fill in our contact form.
Church Music
What is your image of church music? Solemn Victorian hymns, or modern worship songs? Uplifting, inspiring and inclusive – or just plain boring?
We do sing a lot in church – traditional hymns, modern songs, psalms, and a communion setting; and obviously these have to be learnt over time. So why do we do it? Because expressing ourselves through music gives another dimension to worship.
We use a range of musical styles in worship, even within one service. Everyone seems to find some traditional hymns helpful, and most also enjoy modern songs – as long as the words are meaningful. The use of a sung communion setting is also popular even with most of the younger members of the church. The majority of people also find organ music, the music group, individual musicians playing and the use of silence all helpful at times. We are continuing to explore new ways of using the psalms in our services.
At both Holy Trinity and St John's we have a wonderful organ and committed robed choirs of adults leading worship for the more formal services most Sunday mornings, but at Holy Trinity, on the first Sunday of the month, we have a mixed band of musicians (of all ages) for the All-age Communion, in keeping with a more relaxed style of service.
Would you like to join us in making music at Holy Trinity or St John's?
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The adult robed choirs lead the music in worship during Parish Communion and sing Choral Evensong twice a year.
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An expanded singing group learns music for special occasions
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The handbell team meets weekly to practise, and gives concerts and goes to rallies, as well as occasionally playing in church. They get particularly busy around Christmas time!
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The “mixed ensemble” at Holy Trinity plays for the first Sunday service in the month. Usually we meet earlier that morning to rehearse. All ages and abilities are welcome – no previous experience necessary.
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A recorder group meets occasionally to practise music for a morning service.
If you would like more information about any aspect of music at Holy Trinity, please contact Mary Cobbold on 0114 235 1550 or email marycobbold@hotmail.co.uk. For information about music at St John's, email alan.eost@gmail.com, oralternativly fill in our contact form.
Photo: David Bocking
Children's Worship
Families with young children are welcome at all our services. However, the All-age Worship Services at 10.00 am on the first Sunday in each month at Holy Trinity and the second Sunday at St. John’s, are planned as especially family-friendly services , which may include a ‘play’ or activity led by our young people. This is an ideal service for those who feel the stress of taking their young children to church but all are welcome – young and old, regular church-goers and occasional worshippers, members of the community and visitors.
Join us for an hour of worship followed by refreshments.
Children of all ages are welcome to stay in both churches throughout all services. However there is also a crèche for the youngest children every Sunday at Holy Trinity and a comfortable area in the south transept where slightly older children can look at books or make pictures.
The children’s corner at St John’s has recently been refurbished and makes a pleasant space for parents to sit with young children and from which they can still see and hear all that is going on in the church and feel a part of the service.
On Sundays in term-time at Holy Trinity, other than 'all-age worship’ days, older children may attend Sunday Group (4-11) or Hotstuff (10-14), re-joining the rest of the congregation in time to receive Communion, or a Blessing, at the altar-rail.
Please see What's On for details on specific services.
