What is Worship?

Words are funny things – a word with only one meaning in one person’s head can have multiple meanings to another, let alone what you’ll find in the dictionary.

Take “worship” for example. This is worship…

and so is this (it’s not the YMCA, honest)…

so is this!

and this (it’s a daily devotional on Instagram)

The Church of England says “Worship lies at the heart of the Christian life. It is in worship that we express our theology and define our identity. It is through encountering God within worship that we are formed (and transformed) as his people.”

Christian worship involves praising God in music and speech, readings from scripture, prayers of various sorts, sermons, and various holy ceremonies (often called sacraments) such as the Eucharist (Holy Communion).

Whether we choose to honour God with silent prayer or by ringing bells across the countryside; music written 300 or 3 years ago; scripture from a book, a smartphone or our hearts; sermons from ministers or laymen – He is listening.

In Stoke Poges, we can’t offer you stadium-style worship but we have just about everything else! To find out which service might suit you, talk to Andrew or TJ or just roll up one Sunday and experience it for yourself!

Here’s our usual service pattern. We rotate Communion through these services, so check our website or give us a call if you’d like to know what time it is this week. Directions are on the left of this page.

9am Traditional Service at St Giles’ Church

10.30am Family Service with children’s activities at St Andrew’s Church

6.30pm (except first Sunday of the month) Evensong at St Giles’ Church

Worship the LORD your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.” 2 Kings 17:39 NIV

Treasure in jars of clay

This month’s all age service, led by Simon and TJ, explained that although we all start out shiny and new, as we go through life’s twists and turns, we become a bit like broken jars. Rather than “fixing” us, Jesus died for us so that, despite our brokenness, the “treasure within” can be seen through the cracks.

As Simon preached, the children illustrated the sermon with their own version of a cracked pot, mended with “gold” (tissue paper), like a kintsugi repair.

Join us on 1st July for our next All-age service with bacon sandwiches served before the service and another really interesting talk.

Village Fete Fun!

Glorious sunshine blessed the village fete on Saturday (until a short sharp shower about 4 o’clock!) and lots of faces from our congregation popped in (or slaved the whole day!) to help make the event a big success. The Coffee Shop team raised over £200, the children really enjoyed the craft activities and there was plenty of opportunity to chat. The Men’s Group skittle alley was also in action. Thanks to TJ for the photos!

Lots of ideas about what we could do next year…

The Coffee Shop’s Knit and Natter group raised funds for Alexander Devine Hospice:

Some of the Church team ready to welcome children to make bracelets and key tags (for free!)

Plenty of opportunity to chat with passers by as the children were busy making crafts:

Preparations for the Village Fete

The Knit and Natter team (who meet every Tuesday morning at St Andrew’s Coffee shop in term time) have been beavering away creating a mountain of beautiful items for the Village Fete. Alison Wheatley is Number One engine in this amazing machine, ably assisted by the many hands (and brains) of the group.

For all items sold, 80% of the purchase price will go to Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice. They now fund Alexander’s Nurses who support families across the local area, in their own homes, providing much needed respite, palliative care, emotional and practical support. They are working towards building a children’s hospice centre for these local familie,s which will be supported by a home care team.

20% of the purchase price will go to The Coffee Shop. This fantastic community facility that started with a flask and an empty room, continues to be an oasis for busy villagers, a warm welcome for those who come to ballet, a creative space for art and craft ideas and a test audience for local entrepreneurs’ new business ideas.

We still rely on volunteers, but we are now in a purpose built coffee shop.

The Village Fete is this Saturday in Stoke Poges School grounds from 12.30pm. Stoke Poges Church members have two stalls – the Knit and Natter goodies plus children’s craft activities and are helping to marshall parking. The Men’s Group Skittle Alley will be in action too. If you can help in any way, please contact the church office before 12.30 on Friday.

Items for Sale on the Knit & Natter stall…

Key rings and fridge magnets £1.00

Mixture of animals various sizes from £1 to £20

Covered note books 20 different designs £2.50

Passport covers £2.50

Children’s jumpers and cardigans £4.50

Car seat size baby blankets £4.00

Cushion £4.50

Tea Cosy or Cafetiere cover £5.00

Ballet dolls £10

Cushions and matching foot stool £20