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For those who don't know us, we hope the following info might help:
Morning Worship is usually at 10:00a.m. , with an average attendance of 40 - 45. The majority are over-sixties, and several now have difficulty attending, so we also record the service under CCLI licence, unless you prefer that we do not record your service. Please see the reference below.
The Worship Team is a group who are willing to assist you by undertaking a wide range of roles in worship, as you can see from the Worship Team page.
We can do readings, including multi-voiced dramatised Bible readings; short sketches; lead prayers; find and lead contemporary worship songs to suit your theme.
We can project responsive prayers, readings and psalms, images and video-clips, and use sound recordings from a variety of media.
The group will have prepared some material linked to the lectionary if you wish to use it, or if not, we can do the same for your chosen theme if you let us know in advance. If you decide that you can use the talents of the Worship Team, then the earlier we know your theme, the more we can do. We normally practice on Thursday evenings, so we would like simple requests to reach us by early evening on Wednesday. Things that need a little planning will take longer, and we need at least two weeks notice of the impossible!
Music: hymns and songs ~ Higherland folk love good, singable hymns both old and new, and we sing lustily and with good courage, on John Wesley's advice.
The worship band usually presents two or three songs in our preparation for worship - which can be new or unfamiliar - and will also lead songs during the service if required. We have organists to play a pipe organ and electronic piano, and a Worship Band with a guitarist, a bass player, percussionists and singers. The lyrics from a wide range sources can be made available for projection. Most of the congregation don’t use hymn books, so we need to know before the service if you want to use responsive psalms, or other material which may need photocopying for those who are sight impaired.
Naturally we use Singing the Faith, Hymns and Psalms, but also use The Source [it's the original edition - we've been using modern songs for so long!] and Songs of Fellowship 1,2,3 + 4. But of course, by using multi-media, we have several thousand worship songs available from pretty much any other publication. As a result, most of the congregation do not use hymn books, so let us know in advance if you want to use responsive psalms [for example]. Similarly, any other material for congregational use may need enlarged-photocopying for partially-sighted worshippers.
Recording the Service: We normally make an audio recording of the Morning Service to take out to members who can’t attend. It is also made available on our internet website. If you don’t want a recording to be made for either purpose, please tell the Steward when he or she contacts you before the Service.
Junior Church: We have a few children, up to 12 years old, in attendance at the morning service, and we expect the preacher to acknowledge them and have a short talk prepared. The children will usually leave for their own activities after approx. 15 minutes, unless the service is designated as All-Age Worship. If you are uneasy at all about giving a children's address, the Worship Group can organise this for you, linking with the Junior Church staff.
Expenses: If you wish to claim expenses not covered by the North Staffordshire Circuit and not arranged in advance, please talk to the Duty Steward when you arrive.
Where to find us: The chapel is situated on The Higherland [becomes Keele Road A525, signposted Whitchurch] at its junction with Pool Dam, just outside Newcastle town centre. Satnav occasionally has problems with the road name, but the postcode ST5 2TF should do it. Altenatively the map on our Contact Us page is accurate. We can arrange transport if you need it.
Parking is available at the front of the chapel off The Higherland, and we have permission to use the Friarswood Clinic car park on Sundays - accessed from Priory Road, to the rear entrance of the chapel - and the Borough Council car park opposite the chapel on Blackfriars Road is free on Sundays.
After the service, tea, coffee and biscuits are served in the coffee-bar - please do join us.
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