Worship
Church services are at the heart of our identity as Christians.
We meet together in church to worship God every Sunday morning at 9.30am.
If you are thinking of visiting Kimpton church please don’t be concerned if you are unfamiliar with traditions, where to sit, or what to wear – just come as you are.
Sunday Services
| 8.00am | Holy Communion |
2nd Sundays |
| 9.30am | Holy Communion | 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays |
| 9.30am (Term time only) |
BLAST group for young people |
Please enquire for dates and times. |
| 9.30am | Informal Sunday worship for all (non-communion) | 2nd and 4th Sundays |
Sunday Service Format
Holy Communion
On three Sundays out of five, (not the 2nd and 4th Sundays) the main service is a Communion Service with hymns, Bible readings and a sermon with prayers and sharing Holy Communion together. These services each last about 1 hour.
2nd and 4th Sunday Worship
There is a Family Service as the main service in Church. This is a time of interactive worship for all the family. Children and young people are warmly invited to attend for about 45 minutes of hymns or songs with a talk and activity, along with prayers based on a theme from the Bible.
8am Services
For those who prefer a quieter and more reflective service, we have Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer at 8am on the second Sunday of the month and from Common Worship on the fourth Sunday of the month.
Midweek Services (Quiet and reflective)
Volunteers say the daily ‘offices’ at certain times during the week. It is an opportunity to start – or stop – the day with prayer and with focus on God.
| 9.00am | Morning Prayer | Tuesday and Wednesday |
| 5.00pm | Compline | Thursday |
Calendar (Future special events)
Church Choir
We are most fortunate to have an accomplished and dedicated choirmaster, as well as having excellent singers. Many a couple has been most appreciative of the choir’s support at weddings and our services are always enhanced by the beauty of the music. Contact Andy Wright (07831571309).
Flower Arranging
Every weekend (except in Advent and Lent, of course) a dedicated team of flower arrangers descends on the church. Disturb them at your peril! But when they leave, the building is transformed alive with colour and scent.
House Groups and Contemplative Prayer
The Bible is our most important asset. It is our guide in understanding God. In discussion groups, we can get to grips with the aspects of faith that are the most challenging and they can help us to understand more about what it means to be a Christian. Contact Tony and Angela Mann (01438 832733).
Prayer Corner
A lot of people want to come into church informally as a place to be quiet, to think and say a prayer. Our ‘Prayer Corner’ is a perfect area inside church to come to do just that! If you wish to, why not light a tea light during your time there or share your prayers in our prayer book.
Bellringing
England is famous for its wonderful church bells and Kimpton is a great example. We have a ring of eight bells, which are renowned throughout the ringing world. They are rung every Sunday to call us to prayer. Newcomers and experienced ringers alike are welcome to try their hand. Contact Sue Hammond (01438 832004).
Youth Work
BLAST (Bible Learning and Sharing Together) Sunday morning group for ages 5-12.
What Can You Expect When You Arrive at Kimpton Church?
You will be greeted at the door by a welcomer, who will give you a service booklet and hymn book so that you can follow what is going on. They’ll invite you to sit in the pews. You can sit anywhere. God wants you to be comfortable in His church.
You can wear what you like. God is more concerned with your heart than with what you wear.
You don’t have to join in the songs– but you might enjoy singing along.
Do you have to give money? There is usually a collection when a bag is passed round. There is no obligation but people donate regularly via their bank to support the costs of church. If you do wish to donate privately, we can arrange this. (See Giving page).
What is Holy Communion?
Holy Communion means the breaking of bread to remember Jesus. This is the section in a Holy Communion service when the Priest will use bread and wine to recall the events of the Last Supper as recorded in the Gospels (Luke, chapter 22) in the Bible. This is Holy Communion. The Priest will pour wine into a chalice (a silver cup), and place some wafers on a small plate. The Priest will pray over the wine and bread using prayers that recall the events of The Last Supper, but also that ask Jesus to be ‘present’ in the bread and wine subsequently. Usually this service will includes; Music, Prayers; Bible Readings; Sermon (talk about the readings); Prayers; sharing bread and wine and, finally, Music.
You don’t have to take communion.
You may prefer to go up to the altar rail for a blessing.
The priest will usually place his or her hand on your head and say a short prayer.
At Service End
After the service ends there is tea & coffee and biscuits in Church House; the small hall across the churchyard to the north-west of the church. Sometimes cake! Lots of opportunity to meet people and have a chat too.
The toilets are located in Church House.
We have disabled car parking by Church House which is accessed through the churchyard drive.
Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals
For any big life events, we are here to help.
Whether at a time of celebration, or in more difficult times, we can guide you through the processes involved, assist with arrangements and help your occasion to run smoothly.
Remember that all who live in Kimpton parish have the right to be baptized, married and finally, when the time comes, to rest in peace in this, your parish church.
Getting Married
If you are engaged to be married … congratulations!
Getting married in Church is a wonderful thing, as it enables you to include a vital spiritual aspect into your marriage.
Getting married in St Peter & St Paul’s church, Kimpton is a wonderful experience where we aim to help make your wedding day unforgettable.
A beautiful Grade 1 traditional village church with historic interior and wonderful countryside setting. What better place to hold your wedding.
You don’t have to live here as there are many ways you can qualify to be married in Kimpton church. Just ask.
We can arrange the legal requirements, or with reading the marriage banns for you, should you have reason to get married in another parish.
Baptism/Christening
A baptism (or christening as it is also known) is a joyous occasion – an initiation into the Christian faith, the Christian family. It is a new beginning into a new life with Christ as a disciple of Jesus.
Baptisms usually take place during a regular 9.30am Sunday morning service, so that the congregation can welcome the newly-baptised person into the family of the Church. It is possible to arrange baptism for other times. Just ask.
Jesus Himself was baptised in the river Jordan and you can read the story in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 3. At the end of His earthly life, Jesus instructed His followers, His Church, to go out into all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He finished by promising to be with us until the end of the age.
Planning a Funeral
Planning a funeral can feel like the last thing you want to do when a loved one has died – all your energy is naturally exhausted through grief.
We can gently guide you through the process and hopefully ease any additional stress that may be felt. We aim to ensure you are able to say goodbye to your loved one in the way you want to.
A church funeral allows you as much time as you need for tributes and memories and each funeral service is unique and tailor-made. We are also on hand to talk to in the months afterwards, should you need any further support.
Please contact the Lay Reader in the first instance for further details.