Sunday Worship

Following periods of suspension, we resumed Sunday morning worship in the Church on Easter Day, 4th April 2021.  Please see the current guidelines below.

A recording of each live worship service will normally be available on this page, replacing earlier pre-recorded services.

Sunday 10 December - Advent 2

10.30am Morning Worship

Mr David Morgan

Sunday 17 December - Advent 3

10.30am All Age Worship

Revd Catherine Bowstead

 4.00pm Carol Service

Sunday 24 December - Christmas Eve

10.30am Morning Worship

Revd Catherine Bowstead

 4.00pm Christingle

11.30pm Midnight Communion

Revd Catherine Bowstead

Monday 25 December - Christmas Day

10.30am Christmas Morning Worship

Revd Catherine Bowstead

Sunday 31 December

10.00am Circuit Service at Woosehill Church

no service at Wokingham

 

Sunday Worship in Church: Guidelines

(revised March 2022)  We are continuing to keep a close eye on the advice given to churches in the light of the recent update to government guidelines and regulations.  For everyone’s safety, the doors and windows will be open to ensure good ventilation so please dress appropriately; wearing a face covering is now optional while you are in the building but you are welcome to continue wearing one if you prefer.  Please consider leaving an empty chair or two between households so that we respect others' personal space.

We won’t be taking up an offering during the service but there will continue to be a basket in the vestibule for your offering if you wish.

Starting on 6th March we hope to be able to serve refreshments afterwards on the first Sunday of each month.

Service Recordings

These services are stored in SoundCloud and players are embedded below.  These players use cookies in accordance with the SoundCloud Cookie policy.  They may collect usage data for analytics purposes.

Advent Sunday 3 December - Holy Communion - Revd Catherine Bowstead

We regret that no recording is this morning's worship is available - technical issue.

Advent Liturgy     Response:
   
Advent God, challenge us today 
Sue Colbourn
Call to Worship     MWB p117     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 172     Hills of the North, rejoice     tune: Little Cornard
Prayers     Adoration, Confession and Collect
   MWB p117
    Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 174     Light a candle (vv 1&2)     tune: The Advent candle song
Readings       Isaiah 64: 1-9;    Mark 13: 24-37     Margery Jackson
Sermon     Letting stuff go     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 173     Into the darkness of this world     tune: Maggi Dawn
Prayers     Intercessions and Humble Access
   MWB p121
    Catherine Bowstead
The Peace        MWB p123     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 169     Come, thou long-expected Jesus     tune: Stuttgart
Offering dedicated     Catherine Bowstead
Communion        MWB p124-128     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 188     There’s a light upon the mountains    tune: M. L. Wostenholm
Blessing        MWB p128     Catherine Bowstead
Outro StF 204     In the bleak midwinter     tune: Harold Darke
Sunday 26 November - Wokingham Winter Carnival -
   Morning Worship - Revd Catherine Bowstead

We regret that no recording is this morning's worship is available - technical issue.

Welcome     Call to Worship     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 317     At the name of Jesus     tune: Camberwell
Prayers     Adoration and Confession     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 707     Make me a channel of your peace     tune: Channel of peace
Introduction           Catherine Bowstead
Readings       Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24
  Shepherds and Sheep
Matthew 25: 31-45
  The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
Gill Manning
Hymn StF 185     Sing we the King who is coming to reign   tune: The glory song
Sermon     Be a sheep not a goat     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 701     Heaven shall not wait     tune: John L. Bell
Prayers     Intersessions and The Lord's Prayer     Catherine Bowstead
Offering received     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 706     Longing for Light, we wait in darkness     tune: Christ be our light
Blessing           Catherine Bowstead
Outro StF 94     To God be the Glory, great things he hath done!    
Sunday 19 November - All Age Worship - Mrs Kim Tame

Order of Service - this is a recording of the live service:

Welcome     Call to Worship - Psalm 123: 1-2     Kim Tame
Hymn StF 65     Sing of the Lord’s goodness     tune: E Sands, C Walker
Prayers     Adoration and Confession     Kim Tame
Hymn StF 109     In the darkness of the still night     tune: M Rizza
Introduction     And that’s the best you could do?     Kim Tame
Hymn StF 463     Deep in the shadows of the past     tune: Kingsfold
Reading     Judges 4: 1-23     Jane Bonney
Comment           Kim Tame
Reading     Matthew 25: 14-30
    Jane Bonney
Comment 2           Kim Tame
Hymn StF 706     Longing for light, we wait in darkness   tune: Christ be our light
Prayers     Intersessions and The Lord's Prayer     Kim Tame
Offering received     Kim Tame
Hymn StF 742     We trust the mighty love of God     tune: Wentworth
Blessing           Kim Tame

StF 65

  1. Sing of the Lord’s goodness, Father of all wisdom,
    come to him and bless his name.
    Mercy he has shown us, his love is for ever,
    faithful to the end of days.

Come then, all you nations,
sing of your Lord’s goodness,
melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory,
praise him with your music,
worship him and bless his name.

  1. Power he has wielded, honour is his garment,
    risen from the snares of death.
    His word he has spoken, one bread he has broken,
    new life he now gives to all.
  1. Courage in our darkness, comfort in our sorrow,
    Spirit of our God most high;
    solace for the weary, pardon for the sinner,
    splendour of the living God.
  1. Praise him with your singing, praise him with the trumpet,
    praise God with the lute and harp;
    praise him with the cymbals, praise him with your dancing,
    praise God till the end of days.

Ernest Sands (b. 1949)
© 1981 Ernest Sands  Used with permission  ONE LICENSE #A-738126

StF 109

  1. In the darkness of the still night,
    in the dawning of the daylight,
    in the mystery of creation,
    Creator God, you are there.
    In the breath of every being,
    in the birthing and the growing,
    in the earth and all its fullness,
    Creator God, you are there.
  1. In the homeless and the hungry,
    in the broken and the lonely,
    in the grieving of your people,
    Creator God, you are there.
    In the tears and in the heartache,
    in the love through which we serve you,
    in the anguish of the dying,
    Creator God, you are there.
  1. In our hearts and in our thinking,
    in the longing and the dreaming,
    in the yearning of our heartbeat,
    Creator God, you are there.
    In the love for one another,
    in the sharing of our being,
    in receiving and forgiving,
    Creator God, you are there.
  1. In our joys, our hopes, our healing,
    in awakening to revealing,
    in your call and our responding,
    Creator God, you are there.
    In our prayer and in our service,
    in our praise and in our worship,
    in your love that is eternal,
    Creator God, you are there.

Margaret Rizza (b. 1929)
© 1999 Kevin Mayhew Ltd  Used by permission  CCLI Streaming Licence 583214

StF 463

  1. Deep in the shadows of the past,
    far out from settled lands,
    some nomads travelled with their God
    across the desert sands.
    The dawning hope of humankind
    by them was sensed and shown:
    a promise calling them ahead,
    a future yet unknown.
  1. While others bowed to changeless gods,
    they met a mystery,
    invisible, without a name:
    ‘I AM WHAT I WILL BE’;
    and by their tents, around their fires,
    in story, song and law,
    they praised, remembered, handed on
    a past that promised more.
  1. From Exodus to Pentecost
    the promise changed and grew,
    while some, remembering the past,
    recorded what they knew,
    or with their letters and laments,
    their prophecy and praise,
    recovered, kindled and expressed
    new hope for changing days.
  1. For all the writings that survived,
    for leaders, long ago,
    who sifted, copied, and preserved
    the Bible that we know,
    give thanks, and find its story yet
    our promise, strength and call,
    the model of emerging faith,
    alive with hope for all.

Brian Wren (b. 1936)
© 1975, 1995, Stainer & Bell Ltd  Used by permission  CCLI Streaming Licence 583214

StF 706

  1. Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
    Longing for truth, we turn to you.
    Make us your own, your holy people,
    light for the world to see.

Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your Church gathered today.

  1. Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
    Longing for hope, many despair.
    Your word alone has power to save us.
    Make us your living voice.
  1. Longing for food, many are hungry.
    Longing for water, many still thirst.
    Make us your bread, broken for others,
    shared until all are fed.
  1. Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
    Longing for warmth, many are cold.
    Make us your building, sheltering others,
    walls made of living stone.
  1. Many the gifts, many the people,
    many the hearts that yearn to belong.
    Let us be servants to one another,
    making your kingdom come.

Bernadette Farrell (b. 1957)
© 1993 Bernadette Farrell
 Used with permission  ONE LICENSE #A-738126

StF 742

  1. We trust the mighty love of God
    that wraps us round,
    that loves us when we're good or bad;
    love so profound
    it still gives hope when death has struck
    and joy is drowned.
  1. We trust God's love that once, in Christ
    was crucified.
    As love's uniquely precious child
    was nailed and died,
    God, deeply pierced by human grief,
    stayed at his side.
  1. In joy or grief, and deeper far
    than we can tell,
    love finds its way through life and death
    and fathoms hell,
    assuring faith, through pain and loss,
    'All shall be well.'
  1. We trust the future, God to you:
    we pray that we
    may grasp our full potential here,
    and faithfully
    go on to find earth's love fulfilled
    eternally.

Alan Gaunt (b. 1935)
© 2000 Stainer & Bell Ltd  Used by permission  CCLI Streaming Licence 583214

Music provided by the Music Group

Remembrance Sunday 12 November - Morning Worship - Revd Catherine Bowstead

Order of Service - this is a recording of the live Remembrance service:

Welcome     Call to Worship     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 470     Lord, for the years your love has kept
   and guided
    tune: Lord of the years
Prayers     Adoration and Confession     Catherine Bowstead
Gospel Reading   Matthew 25: 1-13
   The Parable of the 10 bridesmaids
    Sue Colbourn
Sermon     Are we ready?     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 131     By a monument of marble     tune: Scarlet Ribbons
Video     The video soundtrack is not in the recording, but you may wish
   to pause the recording to watch the video (5 mins):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw7YeReKUH8
Act of
  Remembrance  
Exhortation – Last Post – silence – Reveille – Kohima Epitaph  
Hymn StF 132     O God, our help in ages past     tune: St. Anne
Reflection     What’s important now?  by Paul Glass    Sue Colbourn
Prayers     Intersessions and The Lord's Prayer     Catherine Bowstead
Offering received     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 696     For the healing of the nations     tune: Grafton
Blessing           Catherine Bowstead
Outro     Reprise: hymn StF 696     tune: Grafton

StF 470

  1. Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
       urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
    sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided,
       Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.
  1. Lord, for that word, the Word of life which fires us,
       speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
    teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us,
       Lord of the word, receive your people's praise.
  1. Lord, for our land, in this our generation,
       spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care;
    for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
       Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.
  1. Lord, for our world; when we disown and doubt him,
       loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain;
    hungry and helpless, lost indeed without him,
       Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.
  1. Lord, for ourselves; in living power remake us,
       self on the cross and Christ upon the throne;
    past put behind us, for the future take us,
       Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.

Timothy Dudley-Smith (b. 1926)
© 1976 Timothy Dudley-Smith  Used by permission  CCLI Streaming Licence 583214

StF 131

The words of this hymn are not included here for copyright reasons.
Music: Scarlet Ribbons, Evelyn Danzig (1901-1996) arranged John L. Bell (b. 1949)
© 1987 GIA / Iona Community / WGRG  Used with permission  ONE LICENSE #A-738126

StF 132

  1. O God, our help in ages past,
    our hope for years to come,
    our shelter from the stormy blast,
    and our eternal home.
  1. Under the shadow of thy throne
    thy saints have dwelt secure;
    sufficient is thine arm alone,
    and our defence is sure.
  1. Before the hills in order stood
    or earth received her frame,
    from everlasting thou art God,
    to endless years the same.
  1. A thousand ages in thy sight
    are like an evening gone,
    short as the watch that ends the night
    before the rising sun.
  1. The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
    with all their cares and fears,
    are carried downward by the flood,
    and lost in following years.
  1. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
    bears all its sons away;
    they fly forgotten, as a dream
    dies at the opening day.
  1. O God, our help in ages past,
    our hope for years to come,
    be thou our guard while life shall last,
    and our eternal home.

Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

StF 696

  1. For the healing of the nations,
    Lord, we pray with one accord;
    for a just and equal sharing
    of the things that earth affords.
    To a life of love in action
    help us rise and pledge our word.
  1. Lead us forward into freedom;
    from despair your world release,
    that, redeemed from war and hatred,
    all may come and go in peace.
    Show us how through care and goodness
    fear will die and hope increase.
  1. All that kills abundant living,
    let it from the earth be banned;
    pride of status, race, or schooling,
    dogmas that obscure your plan.
    In our common quest for justice
    may we hallow life's brief span.
  1. You, Creator-God, have written
    your great name on humankind;
    for our growing in your likeness
    bring the life of Christ to mind;
    that by our response and service
    earth its destiny may find.

Fred Kaan (1929–2009)
© 1968 Stainer & Bell Ltd  Used by permission  CCLI Streaming Licence 583214

All music from Small Church Music.  Organ played by Rev. Clyde McLennan, Hymnary.org
Last Post and Reveille from the Royal British Legion website.

Sunday 5 November - Holy Communion - Revd Catherine Bowstead

Order of Service - this is a recording of the live Communion Service:

Welcome     Call to Worship     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 745     For all the saints who from their labours rest   tune: Sine Nomine
Prayers     Adoration and Confession    MWB p185     Catherine Bowstead
Readings       1 Thessalonians 2: 9-13;
 Matthew 23: 1-12
    Kim Tame
Hymn StF 477     Teach me to dance to the beat of your heart  tune: G Kendrick,
          S Thompson
Sermon     Living lives worthy of God     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 746     For all the saints who showed your love     tune: O Waly Waly
Prayers     Intercessions and The Lord's Prayer
   Lord hear us
   Lord graciously hear us    MWB p188
    Kim Tame
The Peace        MWB p189     Catherine Bowstead
Offering brought forward   MWB p191     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 585     God, whose love is all around us     tune: Quem
  pastores laudavere
Communion        MWB p191-197     Catherine Bowstead
Hymn StF 748     Glorious things of thee are spoken     tune: Austria
Blessing        MWB p197     Catherine Bowstead
Outro     When the saints go marching in,
O Lord, I want to be in that number

StF 745

  1. For all the saints who from their labours rest,
    who thee by faith before the world confessed,
    thy name, O Jesus, be for ever blest:
    Alleluia, alleluia!
  1. Thou wast their rock, their fortress and their might;
    thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
    thou in the darkness still their one true light:
    Alleluia, alleluia!
  1. O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
    fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
    and win, with them, the victor's crown of gold!
    Alleluia, alleluia!
  1. O blest communion, fellowship divine!
    We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
    yet all are one in thee, for all are thine:
    Alleluia, alleluia!
  1. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
    steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
    and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong:
    Alleluia, alleluia!
  1. The golden evening brightens in the west;
    soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
    sweet is the calm of paradise the blest:
    Alleluia, alleluia!
  1. But lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day:
    the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
    the King of Glory passes on his way!
    Alleluia, alleluia!
  1. From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
    through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
    singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
    Alleluia, alleluia!

William Walsham How (1823–1867)

StF 477

Teach me to dance to the beat of your heart,
teach me to move in the power of your Spirit,
teach me to walk in the light of your presence,
teach me to dance to the beat of your heart.

Teach me to love with your heart of compassion,
teach me to trust in the word of your promise,
teach me to hope in the day of your coming,
teach me to dance to the beat of your heart.

  1. You wrote the rhythm of life,
    created heaven and earth;
    in you is joy without measure.
    So, like a child in your sight,
    I dance to see your delight,
    for I was made for your pleasure,
    pleasure.
  1. Let all my movements express
    a heart that loves to say ‘yes,’
    a will that leaps to obey you.
    Let all my energy blaze
    to see the joy in your face,
    let my whole being praise you,
    praise you.

Graham Kendrick (b. 1950) and Steve Thompson
© 1993 Graham Kendrick / Make Way Music Ltd  Used by permission  CCLI Streaming Licence 583214

StF 746

  1. For all the saints who showed your love
    in how they lived and where they moved,
    for mindful women, caring men,
    accept our gratitude again.
  1. For all the saints who loved your name,
    whose faith increased the Saviour's fame,
    who sang your songs and shared your word,
    accept our gratitude, good Lord.
  1. For all the saints who named your will,
    and saw your kingdom coming still
    through selfless protest, prayer and praise,
    accept the gratitude we raise.
  1. Bless all whose will or name or love
    reflects the grace of heaven above.
    Though unacclaimed by earthly powers,
    your life through theirs has hallowed ours.

John L. Bell (b. 1949) and Graham Maule (b. 1958)
From 'When Grief Is Raw' © 1996 WGRG, Iona Community  Used by permission  CCLI Streaming Licence 583214

StF 585

  1. God, whose love is all around us,
    who in Jesus sought and found us,
    who to freedom new unbound us,
    keep our hearts with joy aflame.
  1. For the sacramental breaking,
    for the honour of partaking,
    for your life, our lives re-making,
    young and old, we praise your name.
  1. From the service of this table
    lead us to a life more stable;
    for our witness make us able;
    blessing on our work we claim.
  1. Through our calling closely knitted,
    daily to your praise committed,
    for a life of service fitted,
    let us now your love proclaim.

Fred Kaan (1929–2009)
© 1968, 1996, Stainer & Bell Ltd  Used by permission  CCLI Streaming Licence 583214

StF 748

  1. Glorious things of thee are spoken,
    Zion, city of our God;
    he whose word cannot be broken
    formed thee for his own abode.
    On the Rock of Ages founded,
    what can shake thy sure repose?
    With salvation's walls surrounded,
    thou may'st smile at all thy foes.
  1. See!  The streams of living waters,
    springing from eternal love,
    well supply thy sons and daughters,
    and all fear of want remove;
    who can faint, while such a river
    ever flows their thirst to assuage —
    grace which, like the Lord, the giver,
    never fails from age to age?
  1. Saviour, if of Zion's city
    I, through grace, a member am,
    let the world deride or pity,
    I will glory in thy name.
    Fading are our worldly pleasures,
    all their boasted pomp and show;
    solid joys and lasting treasures
    none but Zion's children know.

John Newton (1725–1807)

Organ: Tom Barker

Sunday 29 October - Morning Worship - Revd Soba Sinnathamby

Order of Service - this is a recording of the live service.  Note that a short piece of the initial welcome (after the pre-service music) is missing:

Welcome     Call to Worship     Soba Sinnathamby
Hymn StF 72     Father God, I wonder       tune: Ian Smale
Hymn StF 363     My Jesus, my Saviour     tune: Darlene Zschech
Prayers     Adoration and Confession     Soba Sinnathamby
Hymn StF 424     God forgave my sin in Jesus' name     tune: Carol Owens
Readings     1 Thessalonians 2:1-8,
Matthew 22: 34-46
    Malcolm Souter
Sermon           Soba Sinnathamby
Hymn StF 372     Come down, O Love divine     tune: Down Ampney
Offering received     Soba Sinnathamby
Prayers     Intersessions and The Lord's Prayer     Soba Sinnathamby
Hymn StF 564     O thou who camest from above     tune: Wilton
Benediction           Soba Sinnathamby

StF 72   sung twice

Father God, I wonder
how I managed to exist
without the knowledge
of your parenthood
and your loving care.
But now I am your child,
I am adopted in your family,
and I can never be alone
’cause, Father God,
you're there beside me.

I will sing your praises,
I will sing your praises,
I will sing your praises forever more.
I will sing your praises,
I will sing your praises,
I will sing your praises forever more.

Ian Smale (b. 1949)
© 1984 Thankyou Music  Used by permission
CCLI Streaming Licence 583214

StF 363   sung twice

My Jesus, my Saviour,
Lord there is none like you.
All of my days I want to praise
the wonders of your mighty love.
My comfort, my shelter,
tower of refuge and strength,
let every breath, all that I am,
never cease to worship you.

Shout to the Lord all the earth, let us sing,
power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down
and the seas will roar
at the sound of your name.
I sing for joy at the work of your hands.
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand.
Nothing compares to the
promise I have in you.

Darlene Zschech (b. 1965)
© 1993 Darlene Zschech / Hillsong Publishing  Used by permission  CCLI Streaming Licence 583214

StF 424

  1. God forgave my sin in Jesus' name;
    I've been born again in Jesus' name;
    and in Jesus' name I come to you
    to share His love as he told me to.

He said:
'Freely, freely you have received,
freely, freely give;
go in my name and because you believe,
others will know that I live.'

  1. All power is given in Jesus' name
    in earth and heaven in Jesus' name;
    and in Jesus' name I come to you
    to share His power as he told me to.

Carol Owens (b. 1931)
© 1972 Bud John Songs
 EMI Christian Music Publishing
 Used by permission
 CCLI Streaming Licence 583214

StF 372

  1. Come down, O Love divine,
    seek thou this soul of mine,
    and visit it with thine own ardour glowing;
    O Comforter, draw near,
    within my heart appear,
    and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.
  1. O let it freely burn,
    till earthly passions turn
    to dust and ashes, in its heat consuming;
    and let thy glorious light
    shine ever on my sight,
    and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.
  1. Let holy charity
    mine outward vesture be,
    and lowliness become mine inner clothing;
    true lowliness of heart,
    which takes the humbler part,
    and o'er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.
  1. And so the yearning strong,
    with which the soul will long,
    shall far outpass the power of human telling;
    for none can guess its grace,
    till he become the place
    wherein the Holy Spirit makes his dwelling.

Bianco da Siena (d. 1434)
translated by Richard Frederick Littledale (1833–1890)

StF 564

  1. O thou who camest from above
    the pure celestial fire to impart,
    kindle a flame of sacred love
    on the mean altar of my heart!
  1. There let it for thy glory burn
    with inextinguishable blaze,
    and trembling to its source return,
    in humble prayer and fervent praise.
  1. Jesus, confirm my heart's desire
    to work, and speak, and think for thee;
    still let me guard the holy fire,
    and still stir up thy gift in me —
  1. Ready for all thy perfect will,
    my acts of faith and love repeat,
    till death thy endless mercies seal,
    and make the sacrifice complete.

Charles Wesley (1707–1788)

All music from Small Church Music.  Organ played by Rev. Clyde McLennan, Hymnary.org.