St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Why I like the evening service

As a regular church member of St Luke's for 35 years, the service I attend is our Evening Service. Over the years I have seen the changes, from Evensong (which I loved), and sadly the numbers which have now dwindled to an average of five people. This saddens me so much, so I thought I would explain a little about our small, friendly evening service. Hopefully, this will encourage some people to try again and raise our numbers.

Our Evening Service starts at 6.30pm (prompt!) and finishes around 7.30/7.45pm. Unfortunately we now have to lock the main church door as with such a small congregation we often have our service in the Choir Vestry (to keep warm in the winter months). One of the clergy takes the service and we have had very interesting speakers who also come along. Roger plays the organ and on the first Sunday of each month the service is communion, provided there are at least four people present apart from the clergy. Otherwise the service is Evening Worship (Service of the Word).

There are several reasons why I prefer the Evening service, and here are a few:-

I take part in the service as a Sidesperson. The duties range from giving out service and hymn books to taking the collection. Sometimes I read the two lessons set for the service. This is different from other services when often the duties mentioned are split between several people.

I think an evening service is a wonderful way to end the day/weekend. Sometimes if it has been especially hectic, it is one of the few times I can sit down, rest and STOP to collect my thoughts and prayers.

It is a very peaceful service, short and quiet with everybody who attends knowing each other. We welcome new members or visitors (like a lady who just came in during the service recently and stayed until the end). We are all like a family, to be at peace in the quiet of our beautiful church, without the hustle and bustle of many people and the time to feel our love for and give our love to, the Lord.

This is a very special service for me and I still attend even though I have moved to Rawdon. I hope and pray maybe you may think every now and again of coming to St Luke's Evening Service. We will welcome you.

The following prayer we say is one of my favourites and it is just for the Evening Service:
Lighten our darkness, Lord we pray,
and in your great mercy
defend us from all perils and dangers of this night,
for the love of your only Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

God bless
Angie Hammond.

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. September 2002, Page 6.
Home Page. Index of articles. Services: index, 11.15am changes, Regular 10.30am, "3+1" Sunday Club, Regular Joint, Evening Service, Small services. In this issue: (September 2002) Vicar's Letter, Babies out of wedlock, All included, Evening Service, Hindu Site.	Why I like the evening service As a regular church member of St Luke's for 35 years, the service I attend is our Evening Service. Over the years I have seen the changes, from Evensong (which I loved), and sadly the numbers which have now dwindled to an average of five people. This saddens me so much, so I thought I would explain a little about our small, friendly evening service. Hopefully, this will encourage some people to try again and raise our numbers. Our Evening Service starts at 6.30pm (prompt!) and finishes around 7.30/7.45pm. Unfortunately we now have to lock the main church door as with such a small congregation we often have our service in the Choir Vestry (to keep warm in the winter months). One of the clergy takes the service and we have had very interesting speakers who also come along. Roger plays the organ and on the first Sunday of each month the service is communion, provided there are at least four people present apart from the clergy. Otherwise the service is Evening Worship (Service of the Word). There are several reasons why I prefer the Evening service, and here are a few:- I take part in the service as a Sidesperson. The duties range from giving out service and hymn books to taking the collection. Sometimes I read the two lessons set for the service. This is different from other services when often the duties mentioned are split between several people. I think an evening service is a wonderful way to end the day/weekend. Sometimes if it has been especially hectic, it is one of the few times I can sit down, rest and STOP to collect my thoughts and prayers. It is a very peaceful service, short and quiet with everybody who attends knowing each other. We welcome new members or visitors (like a lady who just came in during the service recently and stayed until the end). We are all like a family, to be at peace in the quiet of our beautiful church, without the hustle and bustle of many people and the time to feel our love for and give our love to, the Lord. This is a very special service for me and I still attend even though I have moved to Rawdon. I hope and pray maybe you may think every now and again of coming to St Luke's Evening Service. We will welcome you. The following prayer we say is one of my favourites and it is just for the Evening Service: Lighten our darkness, Lord we pray, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night, for the love of your only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. God bless Angie Hammond.
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