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The main acts of public worship at Epsom United
Reformed Church take place at 10.30 on Sunday mornings
and at 18.30 (6.30 p.m.) on the second and fourth Sunday evenings in
each month. The first and third Sunday evening Services are held
at our sister church at Ewell, with whom we share our Minister.
Normally,
worship on the first Sunday morning and on the third Sunday evening
(Ewell) of each month include the celebration of
the sacrament of Holy Communion. Usually during morning
worship the young people leave the adult congregation
to attend what we call 'Junior Church'; they spend the
second part of the time engaged in worship activities
appropriate to their age group while the adult
congregation hears the sermon and shares other aspects of
worship.
While we share a minister with Ewell, some services are conducted by visiting ministers and lay
preachers and others, even from our own congregation.
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Baptism
We rejoice in the new life which new members of
any age bring to the Church.
Baptism is the rite by which people are received as
members of the Christian Church. We practice Baptism of infants
and of adults who have not previously been baptised. We
recognise the baptism performed by other denominations
and share with many of them a common certificate of
baptism.
The parents of babies and young children who wish to
share the joy of new lives among them are offered the
choice of a Service of Thanksgiving or Baptism. This
takes place as part of the main Sunday morning worship
where the whole congregation can share the occasion with
the family. In addition to Godparents, a 'Church Friend'
also stands alongside the child to express the promise
that the Church will continue to support and uphold the
child and family in prayer. [top]
Membership
Everyone who shares in the life of the congregation in
any way should feel part of the church and we seek to
exclude no-one. However, for the purposes of good order
in church government we receive people into membership
through their profession of faith. People may come into
membership of the congregation by one of several ways:
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A person who was baptised as a child, though
technically already a member of the Church, is
received into the full responsibilities and
rights of membership by profession of faith after
some membership instruction.
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Someone who has been a full member of another
church who wishes to transfer will normally bring
a letter of commendation from the previous church.
The request will be received by the Elders'
Meeting and then by the Church Meeting which will
normally be pleased to propose that the person be
received at the next opportunity during a
communion service.
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Adults who have not previously been baptised will
be received as full members at their baptism,
again after due instruction has been given and
the authority of the Church Meeting gained. [top]
Communion
Communion is the central act of worship in this church.
It involves a re-enactment of the central part of the
Last Supper which Jesus shared with his disciples.
Special services may also be held around the festivals of
Christmas and Easter. In addition the minister may bring
the sacrament to homes of people unable to attend public
worship.
We keep an 'open table' which means that we invite all
people who love the Lord Jesus and seek to serve him to
share in receiving the bread and wine. The normal format
includes the elders bringing the bread and wine to the
people in the pews. The wine we use is either non-alcoholic
wine or unfermented grape juice which is served in
individual glasses. For those who are unable to eat wheat
we usually have gluten-free bread available. Please ask
if you have any concerns about this. [top]
Marriage
Often the first encounter adults have with the church is
when they decide to marry in church. We would always want
to affirm this intention by couples and to offer support
through the time of preparation for the wedding and into
the years of married life. The minister and other members are very willing to discuss this in a non-judgemental
way with all who come to them. This is often the start of
a very fruitful relationship between the couple and the
members of the church family. [top]
Funerals and bereavement
Experiences of sorrow and trauma can be the times when a
person most needs the comfort and support of others.
Offering this is one of the most important aspects of the
church's local ministry. The request to the minister to
'use his experience' to conduct the funeral may be just
the beginning of a ministry in which all members have a
part. The person receiving ministry invariably also gives
much in return through ministry to others. [top]
Service within and beyond the community
Much of the above has shown how we serve God through
serving each other in the local community. Many of the
members of the church are involved in their employment or
voluntary work in daily service to others. We seek to
support and uphold this in our prayers.
In the accompanying pages you will be able to see the
many other activities that take place during the week. We
hope you will take time to peruse these - and to pass our
URL on to your friends.
We also recognise that we are members of a world-wide
community. We often find ourselves needing to respond to
needs far beyond our own neighbourhood. The congregation
is encouraged to support the work of Christian Aid
through the United Reformed Church's 'Commitment for
Life' programme. This helps us to focus on one area or
country for our giving. Currently we are supporting work
in Bangladesh.
We look forward to having the
chance to get to know newcomers and hope that you will find
Epsom United Reformed Church is the place for you.
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