On Sundays two services are held in the main church sanctuary. Holy Communion is celebrated in both services. The first service is held at 7.15 a.m. In the “High Anglican” days this was referred to as “The Matins”. The service is for about 45 minutes to one hour, depending upon the number of worshippers. A short sermon is preached and Holy Communion is celebrated. The second service is celebrated at 8.30 a.m. and is still referred by its Anglican name “Sung Eucharist”, where some of the old Anglican practices and customs are still observed, like commencing of the worship with a solemn procession during the singing of the processional hymn, bringing up the Offertory in procession (consisting of congregational offering and the elements to be used during Holy Communion) and again closing with a procession during the recessional hymn, burning of candles, use of incense, vestments of the clergy, singing of the responses and celebration of Holy Communion on a “high” altar.
The service is usually of one & half hours duration, which can go up to two hours during special occasions like Christmas, Easter and Patronal Festival, when there are more worshippers. This is the main service of the Church and number of worshipper’s average more than 150. In both the services the sermon is preached by either by the Presbyter or by visiting clergy or by lay members of the church, sometimes by representatives of a Christian institution or organization. The Presbyter in both the services is assisted by a “Licensed Chalice Server”, who is a lay person licensed by the Diocese to assist the Presbyter in serving Holy Communion.
There is an informal “Porch Fellowship” held in the Church Porch following both services, when tea is served to all, courtesy the Ladies Fellowship of the Church. Snacks are also sold as many come to the services either after a light breakfast or no breakfast at all. This is an opportunity for the worshippers to spend some time in fellowship with each other and greet new members and visitors.
Evening services are held on some occasions including a service of “free” praise of worship, which we hope to make a regular feature of the church calendar. A special “Evensong” is held on our Patronal Festival. A “Service of Nine Lessons and Carols” is held on the Sunday immediately preceding Christmas, where Christmas Carols are sung and scripture portions are read out by representatives of the various guilds and fellowships of the Church.