Morning and Evening Prayer

In Morning and Evening prayer we join in with the whole Church in its saying of the 'Divine Office'. Together with the daily Mass, they form the prayerful bedrock of our ministry. We recite and reflect upon the Psalms and other passages from scripture, and pray for the Church, the world and for the town around us. All are welcome to join us for these prayers that are the 'hinges' of our day.

The Sacraments

What is a Sacrament?

A Sacrament is an outward sign of God's invisible grace. In our everyday lives, a sign on the road is there to point out to us or to alert us to something. As Christians, we believe that the sacraments are a gift from Christ to his Church in which he alerts and points out to us that we can receive God's grace. We believe that there are seven of these sacraments. They are baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist (known as the Mass), reconciliation, anointing of the sick, holy orders, and marriage.  

Baptism

In our baptism (often called our 'Christening') we are made Christians. We are marked out by God as his children and we become members of his holy Church. Through the waters of baptism ,we also receive the forgiveness of 'original sin', those sins we inherit as part of our human nature. Through baptism we therefore receive 're-birth' and so are made new.

Confirmation

In our Confirmation by the bishop we receive the Holy Spirit. We renew and confirm the promises that were made at our baptism and we enter into a fuller communion with Christ's body 'the Church'.  

The Eucharist or the Mass

In the Mass we recall the moment when at the last supper Jesus took bread and wine and told us to do this in memory of him. Under the appearances of bread and wine, the Mass is an offering of Christ's body and blood in which we receive his very soul and divinity. In our celebration of the Mass we are not only united with one another -we are united with the whole of the Church, both here on earth and in heaven. We also listen together to God's word in the scriptures and to Jesus speaking to us in the Gospel.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions)

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation Christ offers us absolution (forgiveness) for those sins that we have committed following our baptism. All of us through human frailty fall into sin from time to time and often experience the pain of guilt. In this wonderful sacrament, Christ calls out to us to offer our burdens upon him, so that we may be set free. Christ transforms our guilt by the price he paid for our sins upon the cross. The priest acts as Christ's ears and mouth giving advice, penance and absolution. Anything said to a priest in confession is always in total confidence under the seal of the confessional.

Anointing of the Sick

In the anointing of the sick, special oil is used to comfort the soul and to restore health if it be God's will. In dangerous illness, the Sacrament of anointing prepares the soul for death, commending the sick to God's merciful and loving keeping.

Christian Marriage

Marriage is a wonderful gift from God in creation and the sacrament in which a man and a woman are united with one another. They are joined together and become one. On their wedding day, the bride and groom face each other to make their solemn promises of commitment to one another in the presence of God. The couple receive God's blessing and the support and prayers of those present. Marriage is not to be entered into lightly, but only with great reverence and responsibility in the sight of God almighty.

Holy Orders

Through the Sacrament of Ordination performed by the bishop, the Holy Spirit is sent upon the candidate so that they may receive grace to perform a sacred duty and office in God's church. It is through ordination that a candidate is made a deacon, a priest or a bishop.

Other Forms of Worship @ St Laurence

Exposition and Benediction

In Exposition, sometimes called Eucharistic adoration, we kneel before the blessed Sacrament, believing that Christ is 'really' and truly present upon the altar under the appearance of the Eucharistic bread. Readings, prayers and other meditations are lead as we look in adoration upon our Lord who gives himself and feeds us in the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Taizé

Taizé is the home of an international ecumenical community founded in France by Brother Roger. The community is one of prayer rooted in simple meditation and aided by reflective music and singing. Once a month at St Laurence, our Sunday evening worship follows the pattern and style of a Taizé evening prayer. A wonderful opportunity to take stock and to reflect before the week ahead begins!