St. John’s Church
Location: Highfield, Timaru
Denomination: Anglican
Website: www.geocities.com/ stjohnschurchtimaru/ homepage.html
Church Services: Morning Prayer 9am Tuesday to Friday, 10 am Sunday
Groups: Home Groups
My own visit
Date:20th February 2005Service: Baptism Service
The building: The square tower is probably the most notable feature of the church. With the cross rising above its battlement, it gives the church a clearly English character. In the sunshine, the white walls of the church appear resplendent, but can seem rather drab in more subdued weather. The nave roof comes down fairly low. A ramp leads to the porch which is attached to the south part of the nave. Mature trees in the grounds hint that this church is well established.
The décor: The church has a dignified, traditional, yet comfortable and practical feel to it. Simple white walls give a sense of solidity. The dark wooden ceiling rises to the rafters high above the congregation. Stained glass windows with good old-fashioned metal frames provide plenty of light. A modern adaptation of the celtic cross is suspended above the sanctuary. The altar provides the focus of the sanctuary with the organ keyboard to one side and the organ pipes on the opposite side.
The congregation is seated on wooden pews with comfortable orange cushions. A thick dark-blue carpet covers the floor of the church.
Smiling face at the door: I went into church as a hanger-on to the baptism party. But yes, the priest stood at the door in full regalia giving a friendly nod to all who entered. Inside the church newsletter, order of service and worship booklet were thrust into my hands.
Start of service: The congregation reluctantly stood as the priest made his way towards the front. We were then welcomed and launched into a hymn. This was immediately followed by the liturgy culminating in the prayer for forgiveness.
Congregation (approx) 0-12: 10; 13-20: 3; 20-40: 12; 40-60: 25; 60+: 35
Liturgy: Quite a bit of liturgy was said and at one stage sung during the service. The words were printed in two little booklets specific to this church. One order of service seems to be used frequently while the other booklet contains the baptismal liturgy and responses. The liturgy was similar to those in the New Zealand Prayer Book, but maybe a bit more modern and less poetic. And when I expected a known response after some familiar words, it had to be something different.
Music: A mixture of (very singable) traditional hymns and modern choruses was used. The singing group sang a few modern songs during communion. At one stage we listened to a cool rap song, though the chorus had some melody. I think we were supposed to join in the chorus, but that proved to be difficult.
Instruments: pipe organ, keyboard, singers
Children’s Talk: A muppet, called Pilgrim Muppet, standing at the lectern had a conversation with the priest. They were talking about money and how it might provide for the future. When we place all our trust in money we might miss out in God’s kingdom. Jesus says that we have to become a child of God and not just trust money. Who do you put your trust in?
Sermon:
-Length: 8 minutes
-Method: The priest eased into the
sermon in a conversational style and then got more serious and
urgent. He came to his main point in a series of question and tried
to keep the sermon short and sweet.
-Bible reading: John 3: 1-17
-Content: Nicodemus comes to Jesus.
He has wealth, status and power, but he comes at night. He started
by flattering, but Jesus cuts across that and tells him that he has
to be born again. Nicodemus wants a carefully constructed argument
rather than word images. But Jesus gives him just what he needs
at the moment.
Most of us struggle with becoming a child of God. What does it mean to become like little children? Nicodemus was educated and set in his ways. Children are open to learning. They are playful. Somebody said that all they needed to learn the learnt at kindergarten.
We’re accustomed to think that we’ve got so much to teach to children, but they’ve got a lot to teach us.
What miracle of the Spirit would it take for us to trust God passionately, to live freely, to live on the edge, to be open to change? What miracle of the Spirit would it take to care less what others think of us, to be loving?
It is the miracle of being God’s children.
Other Highlights: Prayer of intercession. It was quite encompassing, taking into account many of the situations in the world and this country. Each Sunday they also mention another church in Timaru in prayer. This time it was the Apostolic City Church.
Eucharist – the liturgy, although a bit different from the more traditional, still leaned on it. At one stage there was also a sung response. The congregation came forward to the communion rail and one by one took the elements, with about three cups doing the rounds. Somehow few members of the baptism party came forward to receive the Eucharist.
Baptism - Parents with some association with the church brought their child to be baptised. The baptism was done at the font at the back of the church.
Wrap-up: After the blessing and a hymn there were the notices which gave a chance for anyone to draw any matters to the congregation’s attention and it took some time. First of all there was a report from the Sunday school with the priest chatting with the children about what they had done while they were out. They had made several items symbolising pilgrimage – a large cardboard donkey, a first aid kit, notebooks, binoculars and a kit of food. After they got a clap it was on to advertising a concert and a progress report on an Alpha project. Then a priest who would join the congregation as part of his training was introduced.
After the service: Not many people left straight away, with most staying at the back of the church for a cup of tea and talking with each other.
Quality of morning tea: The biscuits were nothing special, but the short-bread was nice. They put some effort into getting the cup of tea just right for me.
Reflection:
4 questions:
Somewhere between c) and d).
Yes.
Through prayer and consultation with congregation and vestry. For small jobs priest may approach a person directly. Generally they are confirmed by the vestry. Prayer is a very important part of the process.
Vestry members are elected.
No.