Eucharist

Occurring
Every Sunday at for 1 hour
Venue
St Giles' Durham
Address
St Giles Church Gilesgate Durham, DH1 1QQ, United Kingdom

Our 11.00 Eucharist is our main Holy Communion service on Sunday. The service lasts around 1 hour and is followed by coffee. You are all welcome.

Evening Prayer

Occurring
Every Sunday at for 30 mins
Venue
St Giles' Durham
Address
St Giles Church Gilesgate Durham, DH1 1QQ, United Kingdom

BCP stands for the "Book of Common Prayer." The Book of Common Prayer is a liturgical text used by various Christian denominations, including the Anglican Communion and other Protestant churches. It provides a set order of worship, including prayers, readings, and other elements for different services throughout the day.

The BCP typically includes an evening prayer service called "Evening Prayer" or "Evensong." It is a traditional service often held in the late afternoon or early evening, and it forms a part of the daily cycle of prayer in many Anglican and Episcopal churches. Evening Prayer usually consists of psalms, readings from the Bible, prayers, and canticles.

Holy Communion

Occurring
Every Wednesday at for 30 mins
Venue
St Giles' Durham
Address
St Giles Church Gilesgate Durham, DH1 1QQ, United Kingdom

A short Eucharist, also known as a short communion service, is a condensed version of the traditional Christian Eucharist or Holy Communion. In this type of service, the focus is primarily on the celebration of the Eucharist itself, with minimal additional elements like hymns and sermons. The purpose of a short Eucharist is to streamline the worship experience and make it more accessible and time-efficient, typically lasting around 30 minutes.

The key components of a short Eucharist may include:

Opening prayers and greetings: The service begins with an opening prayer or a welcome message, setting the tone for the worship.

Penitential rite (optional): A brief moment of reflection and confession of sins may be included, followed by the absolution, allowing participants to seek forgiveness and renewal.

Liturgy of the Word: This segment usually involves readings from the Bible, including passages from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospel. A short reflection or homily may be given, but it is typically kept concise.
Sharing of the Peace: Participants exchange greetings, wishing peace upon one another as a symbol of reconciliation and unity within the community.
Eucharistic Prayer: This is the central part of the service, where the consecration of bread and wine takes place, representing the body and blood of Christ. The priest or minister leads the congregation in prayers of consecration and thanksgiving.
Distribution of the Eucharist: The consecrated bread and wine (or grape juice) are shared among the congregation. In some cases, communicants may come forward to receive the elements, while in others, they may remain seated, and the elements are brought to them.
Closing prayers and blessings: The service concludes with final prayers and blessings, offering thanks for the sacrament and seeking God's guidance in daily life.
After the service, there may be an option for tea and coffee, providing an opportunity for fellowship and conversation among the attendees.

It's important to note that the exact order and elements of a short Eucharist may vary depending on the denomination and specific church practices. Some churches may include additional elements like hymns, a longer sermon, or more extensive readings, while others opt for brevity and simplicity in their worship format.