Worship on Sundays
Our Sunday worship is conducted by invited ministers or lay preachers or by our own congregational worship group. When there is a minister in post, they lead worship generally about once a month. It usually takes about an hour and generally includes some time for quiet reflection. We like our services to be thought-provoking, reflective, inclusive and joyful, but also open to variations and to things new.
Sunday worship services are normally at 11am. Occasionally in summer there's an evening service of reflection, see below
Sun 2 November, 2.30pm -- Special event -- Induction of Rev Glyn Millington to Aston Tirrold URC, where the event is being held, and Caversham Park URC, thus forming, along with Henley Christ Church URC, where Glyn is already minister, the South Oxfordshire Cluster of URC churches. Please note the afternoon time
Sun 9 November, 10am -- Service of Remembrance - to be held at All Saints C of E church, Aston Upthorpe -- followed by ceremony and silence around the Astons War Memorial. Please note the earlier time
Sun 16 November, 11am -- Morning Worship led by Rev Mader-Grayson
Sun 23 November, 11am -- Morning Worship
Sun 30 November, 11am -- Morning Worship for Advent Sunday, by Zoom only, led by Scott Wheeler
Sun 7 December, 11am -- Morning Worship and Holy Communion led by Rev Pauline Main. Retiring collection for Crisis at Christmas
Since the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic, Aston Tirrold has taken the opportunity to make use of the Zoom video meeting set up. We have found that Zoom is a practical choice for those unable to attend church for whatever reason. The Zoom link is sent to a regular church emailing list. Two cameras are in the church, one focussed on the worship leader and the reading lectern, the other is on the central area of the congregation. If you are missing this information and wish to find out the Zoom link, please contact us via the contacts page.
This is our current worship monthly pattern (as of as it has been since 2023):
In spring and summer:
- All Sundays are hybrid: in person and also available by Zoom
- 5th Sunday of the month is evening service at 6pm
In autumn and winter
- Last Sunday in the month: service is held entirely by Zoom
- Other Sundays of the month or special services: hybrid i.e. in person in the church building and also available by Zoom. Those connecting by Zoom can see and hear the worship leader the church on one of the cameras.
We celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every month and on high Christian festivals such as Easter and Christmas.
We use a relatively traditional Reformed pattern (Bible readings, sermon, prayers, hymns and other music) but with many variations and innovations, particularly time for meditation/reflection.
We enjoy the presence of children and young families and, for very young children, we provide a toy box in the church.
After worship everyone is invited to refreshments in our Centre for Reflection.
Evening services
In the summer months we occasionally offer evening services at 6pm instead of the morning service