Worship

All-age Informal Worship

Sunday Mornings 9.30am

Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church is very popular with families.  We run an early morning worship service that is designed especially to meet the needs of a mixed group of adults and children. The diet of worship has been successful because of its relaxed atmosphere, which is appreciated by parents who have typical children; in other words, children who are noisy, restless and only sometimes co-operative!   The service also enjoys success because the programme of activities which we offer is age-appropriate and of a very high standard.   The worship blends traditional and modern music and hymns, the prayers are participative and the educational activities include straight teaching as well as games, artwork, sharing food  and drama. For part of the service younger members of the congregation split up into a number of age bracketed groups for more age specific activities. Meanwhile, in the sanctuary, our minister provides a space where adults can have an opportunity to look more deeply at passages of the Bible always with a view to their modern (or post-modern) applicability to life.

Communion is celebrated quarterly at this service.

This service lasts for 40 minutes and is followed by tea, coffee, juice and biscuits in the church hall.

July / August

In July and August there is only one Service of Worship on Sunday mornings. This takes place at 10.00 a.m. It always includes a full programme of children's activities.

Traditional Worship

Sunday Mornings 10.45am

Lasting for around one hour this service is one based within traditional worship patterns. Here the majority of our worshipping community come together to encounter God in hymn, Word and prayer. This service aims to offer a reflective environment where the congregation can focus on bible passages and their applicability to life today.

Our sermons are scholarly in nature, engaging both in theological enquiry and biblical interpretation. They do not shy away from difficult issues nor do they dumb down or offer clichés; this is often seen as something that marks Mayfield Salisbury out for pertinent theological practice.  

This service of worship is accompanied by choir and organ and engages mainly, but not solely, traditional music.

Communion is celebrated quarterly at this service.

After our service tea, coffee and biscuits are offered in the church hall. Here many of our community gather to relax, share news and socialise.

July / August

As noted above, in July and August there is only one Service of Worship on Sunday mornings. This takes place at 10.00 a.m. 

Evening Service

Sunday Evenings 7.00 p.m.

Lasting about 40 minutes this service is a quiet peaceful worship space which allows time for reflection in a busy world. Although it takes a variety of forms, including the celebration of Holy Communion, it is always a service of silence, prayer, Scripture, meditation and music.

Afternoon Services

Short mid-week services of afternoon worship are held regularly for those who find it difficult to attend other services. These are particularly appreciated by our older worshippers.

 For futher details see the Services page of this web site

 FROM THE ORDER OF SERVICE AT 10.45

WELCOME TO MAYFIELD SALISBURY PARISH CHURCH
This congregation is part of the Church of Scotland:  Reformed in doctrine, Presbyterian in government and a member of the worldwide family of the Christian Church.   Whether you are in regular attendance at worship or this is your first visit, welcome to this community and service of worship.   God bless you today.

THE INTERPRETATION OF HOLY SCRIPTURE
Being Christian involves being shaped by the language of the Christian tradition, including the Bible as the foundation of the tradition.  Some in this community understand the Christian language quite literally and factually.  Others understand it symbolically and metaphorically.  What we share is a common passion for the more-than-literal meaning of the stories and teachings that shape us.       (Marcus Borg)

PREPARING FOR WORSHIP
Jesus is present with us now.   We need to be present to Him.   We may arrive at church in a distracted state.   However early or late you arrive, take time to prepare.   A good starting point is to take heed of the wording at the West Door:  ‘Take your sandals off your feet for the place where you stand is holy ground’;  ‘Be still and know that I am God’;  ‘Jesus said, 'I am the bread if life: he who comes to me shall never hunger.’’   You may have your own prayers which you use to prepare yourself.   If not, you can pray verses from the Psalms, such as Psalm 139: 1 – 18; Ps 23, 42, 43, 90, 121, 130 or 144 – 150.    You can also meditatively read the hymns for today as a means of preparation.   The purpose of all that is done in worship and the preparation of worship is to draw you closer to God.