This week we are taking a look at the 9.30am Eucharist with Hymns Service in the Church.

The 9.30am Sunday service is described as a Eucharist with Hymns.

Eucharist is a traditional name given to the service of sharing of the bread and wine. Also known as Holy Communion, or The Lord's Supper.

Hymns are what we call the songs that are sung in church. Some of the Hymns or songs we sing are traditional and date back over the centuries, some translated from Latin, Greek or Irish originals. We also sing a number of contemporary or modern hymns that have been written in the 20th or 21st century. Some of those have been written by New Zealanders, such as Marnie Barrell, Colin Gibson, Shirley Murray.

All the hymns are accompanied by the pipe organ, played by our very accomplished organist Denis Guyan. About twice a month there is a Choir that sings during Communion and helps lead the hymn singing. Denis always begins and ends the service with organ voluntaries. I know that a number of people stay afterward just to hear him play.

The Liturgy at the 9.30am is formal in style. Liturgy means the words and form of worship that Anglicans use in their church services. Our liturgies are drawn from A New Zealand Prayer Book / He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa, produced in 1989. Some phrases in the liturgy are in Te Reo Māori, one of our national languages, and we regularly sing the Lord's Prayer in te reo Māori. 

I attend the 9.30am service on a regular basis and when I first arrived, it was not a service I was used to. However, I have come to enjoy the peacefulness of this service. I lead a busy on-the-go life and I don’t often get to just sit and be still. I find that stillness, and sense of peace and quietness at the 9.30am service very refreshing and helpful in my spiritual life.

“I like the tranquillity of the service, it’s calm and peaceful. Being such a doing person, it is a good service that allows me to slow down” Brenda Sargent

“I’m a traditionalist, I like the hymns, organ, the quiet. I see God moving in the times of still and quiet.” Lois Ball

Despite what many may think, the 9.30am service is not exclusive to the older generation, there are a few who are in their forties who enjoy this formal service. Virginia Nichols is one of those and is an outstanding singer; when she attends her singing and impromptu descants add such a lift to the congregational singing. Sometimes to me she sounds like an angel singing on high!

“I love the music, it’s my style, and I like the intellectually challenging sermons.” Virginia

I’m not much of a singer but I do love to belt out some of those old Hymns, especially the ones written by John or Charles Wesley and it helps me to be surrounded by other people who also love to sing hymns.

Both Paul Straubel and Cam Moore agree they enjoy the music and the great sermons that we hear each week. They are always interesting, sometimes challenging, and always encouraging.

“I like the New Zealand Prayer book service, the singing, the sense of community, and meeting and greeting people, especially new people. I always learn something new from the sermons.” Marjorie Smart

At Communion time, we all line up down the aisle to receive the bread and the wine from the priest(s) and servers. The wine is taken from the shared chalice, however, it is not compulsory to take the wine, and you can just stand in front of the server and hear their words and then return to your seat for a time of reflection.

There is an opportunity for prayer straight after communion in the small chapel at the side with two prayer ministers. This is confidential, and they will pray for any need or prayer request for yourself or another. Or you can fill out a prayer request before the service to put in the prayer basket for the prayer ministers to pray for. The prayer basket is located on the candle trolley at the back of the church as you come in and is also completely confidential and anonymous if you wish. 

People in the congregation agree they enjoy the great sermons, the hymns, the quiet, the peace and the fellowship, and the sense of community.

“The time suits me as I work some evenings, and I like to catch up with people after the service.” Ben Wamamili

The service goes for about an hour and is followed by morning tea in the Tui room located in the St Barnabas Centre. People gather to catch up with each other and meet new people over a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. 

Once a month (on the 2nd Sunday of the month) there is a fellowship lunch at the Elmwood Trading Co on Normans Road. About 25-30 people from the 9.30am service meet for a great lunch and chat. Everyone is welcome and it is a great opportunity to meet new people or to get to know people a little better.

Why not join us at the 9.30am Service and see what it’s like, and please do stay for a cup of tea afterward. Everyone and anyone is welcome.

For more information contact the parish office: 03 351 7064

Go to our website: www.stbarnabas.org.nz

We are located on the corner of Fendalton Road and Tui Street. Off-street parking is available and there is wheelchair access through the smaller door of the Church closest to Tui Street.