Church Services
You can skip to weekly service times
Lifts to Services are co-ordinated by Alwyn Hart. If you need a lift please contact him on 01732 882930.
Quick Links:
- Types of service
- Services at 8am on Sundays
- Services at 10:30am on Sundays
- Provision for children
- Family Communion Service
- Family Services
- Services on fourth Sundays of the month
- Morning Prayer
- Choral Eucharist (Sung Holy Communion)
- Evensong (evening prayer)
- Choral Evensong
- Fifth Sundays of the month
- Table of weekly services
Types of Service
The Book of Common Prayer came into use in 1662 and uses the traditional language of that time.
Services which are not Book of Common Prayer use ‘Common Worship’ which was adopted by the Church of England in 2000, and uses contemporary language.
Messy Church
Messy Church is currently in abeyance.
Sunday 8.00am
This is a said service of Holy Communion on the second and fourth Sundays of each month from the Book of Common Prayer. It is usually held in the Lady Chapel. There is a short homily (or sermon) lasting about five minutes. As there are no hymns or other music the service lasts about thirty five minutes. The atmosphere is quiet and prayerful and this service can be particularly helpful at those times when you want to focus on a personal issue with God.
Sunday Services at 10.30am
If you would like a large print service book or hymn book for any of the 10.30am services, please ask the person giving out the service booklets as you come in. After the service there is a chance to get to know people over a cup of coffee in the Garden Room (our meeting room attached to the church) – do stay if you are able.
Children
During the 10.30am services a children’s group called Explorers takes place in the Garden Room for children aged from 4 years (except during the Family Service where we hope children will want to be a part of the service). During these services the Lady Chapel becomes a ‘Children’s Corner’ where toys are provided. From here, there is easy access to toilets and nappy changing facilities. Those with young families are welcome to sit in this area.
Family Communion Service
These are Common Worship services normally held on the first and third Sundays of the month. The service booklet has a commentary for those who may be new, to help them understand what is happening. The organ and choir lead the singing of the hymns and some other parts of the service and there is a sermon. Those of any age who are not confirmed are warmly invited to come to the communion rail with the rest of the congregation to receive a blessing. For many this is a very special part of the service. The service usually lasts just over an hour.
Family Service at 10:30am
This service is held on the second Sunday of each month and is intended for all ages. It is a less formal service in contemporary language and the children are usually invited to participate in the Talk in some way. Worship songs are used for the most part and some of these are led by a Music Group. The service lasts for about forty five minutes.
Fourth Sunday Services at 10:30am
On the fourth Sunday of the month there is a service of Morning Prayer or a Choral Eucharist. Please see the diary page to find out which service will be provided this month.
Matins
This service is being replaced on a trial basis with a modern language Morning Prayer Service.
Choral Eucharist
Choral Eucharist uses the Common Worship communion service within a traditional choral setting. The hymns, psalm and other parts of the service are sung, led by the choir and organ. There is a sermon and the service lasts a little over an hour.
Evensong
Evensong, or Evening Prayer as it is also known, from the Book of Common Prayer is held on the third Sunday of the month at 4.30pm in Winter and 6.30pm during British Summer Time. The music is led by the organ but there is no choir. Hymns and Canticles are sung and the psalm is said. There is a sermon and the service usually lasts about fifty minutes. The congregation is invited to sit in the Choir stalls for this service.
Choral Evensong
Two or three times a year Evensong is replaced by a Choral Evensong, which follows the same Book of Common Prayer service. The choir sings an introit, an anthem, and special settings of the canticles. The congregation is invited to join with the hymns. There is a sermon and the service usually lasts about an hour. See the diary page for the next choral evensong.
Fifth Sunday Services at 10:30am
On the fifth Sunday of the month the congregation of St Mary’s Platt joins with the neighbouring parishes of St George’s Wrotham, St Peter’s Ightham and the Church of the Good Shepherd Borough Green in a joint service hosted by each parish in turn. Please see the diary page to find out where the service will be provided on the next fifth Sunday. When the service is held in another parish, there will be NO 10:30am service at St Marys.
Weekly Services
Day |
Time |
Service |
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8 am | Holy Communion |
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10:30 am | Holy Communion |
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10:30 am | Family Service an informal service for all ages |
| Third Sunday of every month | 10:30 am | Holy Communion |
| 4.30pm in winter
6.30pm in Summer |
Evensong (BCP) | |
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10:30 am | Morning Worhsip
OR Choral Eucharist (Communion) |
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Other Regular Services
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Time |
Service |
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