Services

A suggested prayer for those coming to St Giles' for the first time or returning after the lockdown. 

Almighty God, we praise you for the many blessings you have given to those who worship you in this house of prayer: and we pray that all who seek you in this place may find you, and, being filled with the Holy Spirit, may become a living temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The weekly Sunday Eucharist is now only in church as the online services via our YouTube Channel have finished. Previous Eucharist services are still available on the  St. Giles' YouTube Channel if you are unable to join us in church. Later we hope to live-stream the services from the church from October.

Current Sunday Services

Currently there is the Parish Eucharist at 10.00 each Sunday but no Holy Communion at 08.00 on the first Sunday of the month or Evening Prayer at 16.00. 

The Sunday Club continues to meet at 10.00 via Zoom. Please contact Dave Archer for further details. davidjrarcher@hotmail.co.uk 

Sunday 27 September Trinity 16

10.00 Parish Eucharist 

There will be orders of service and printed copies of the readings set out safely in the pews. If you would prefer to use an iPad or phone, download the file below. 

Weekday Services 

08.30 Morning Prayer (Monday-Thursday) in the Chancel. 

Praying together 

13.00 -13.30 Private Prayer and Reflection on the first Thursday of the month 

As we continue our monthly prayer sessions, you are invited to join others in church on 3 September. Please bring the September prayer sheet below with you. If you are not able to join us, we hope you will continue to pray with us wherever you are.

Our text for September, Jesus said, ‘for where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’                Matthew 18 v 20

Let us pray for the church and the world and thank God for his goodness.

Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the fellowship of the church, that supports and helps us to put our faith into practice. Strengthen us, Lord, in your service, that we, may be an encouragement to others and hold fast to all that is good.

We praise and thank you for giving us so much to enjoy in the world. Open our eyes to see the beauty around us as Summer turns to Autumn and appreciate your greatness in giving us the different seasons. Help us to safeguard your world so that our children and future generations will benefit from all you have created.

Loving Father, we remember and pray for the children and young people in their daily learning especially in this difficult time with Covid 19. We think of all children starting a new school term, those spending their first hours away from home in nursery school, those attending a new junior or senior school, those entering their final year at school and facing important decisions about their future and those who are going to university or continuing their studies. We pray for all teachers and lecturers that they may inspire in their pupils and students the love of learning and the desire to succeed to the best of their ability.

We pray for a world where humanity and love for others so often fails. We pray for those in government in every nation. We pray that those who lead and take on great responsibilities may not simply wish to be seen as great in the eyes of others, but to genuinely serve their people, searching continually for policies and strategies which will be for the good of all, especially for the weakest and most vulnerable including the unemployed, the homeless, refugees and the poor.

We pray for those who are sick, especially those suffering from the long-term effects of the Covid 19 virus.  We remember those who are lonely and depressed and pray that we may be good listeners to family members, friends, and neighbours that with our kind words and deeds we may bring help and support to them.  Comfort with your presence those who suffer in body, mind or spirit and give them courage and hope in their troubles. We remember those known to us who are in special need of our prayers at this time.

We remember before you those who have died and those whose anniversaries fall at this time, give strength to those who are left to grieve and help us to share in each other’s sorrow.  May the souls of the faithful departed, through your mercy, rest in peace and rise in glory.

Merciful Father accept our prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

We finish by saying the Lord’s Prayer.     

Dates in 2020 - 3 September, 1 October, 5 November, 3 December.  

Lectionary for Sundays and after Trinity 

27 September Trinity 16 Michaelmas

Genesis 28: 10 – 17; Revelation 12: 7 – 12; John 1: 47 – 51

4 October Trinity 17 Harvest

Deuteronomy 8: 7 – 18; Luke 12: 16 – 30

11 October Trinity 18

Isaiah 25: 1 – 7; Philippians 4: 4 – 9; Matthew 22: 1 – 14

18 October Trinity 19

Isaiah 45: 1 – 7; 1 Thessalonians 1: 1 – 7; Matthew 22: 15 – 22

25 October Trinity 20

Leviticus 19: 1 – 2, 15 – 18; 1 Thessalonians 2: 1 – 8; Matthew 22: 34 – 46

Our Liturgy  

We use Common Worship for all services except on the first Sunday of the month when the 1662 Communion Service is used.

Baptisms

Christingle and Mothering Sunday Services

We especially welcome parents, Godparents and children to the Christingle service on Advent Sunday at 16.00 and to the Mothering Sunday service in the Spring as part of the Parish Eucharist at 10.00.

Weddings

"Welcome Back Sunday Service"

Each year we hold a "Welcome Back Service" on the second Sunday in May as part of the 10.00 Parish Eucharist, when we invite those who have been married or have worshipped here and moved away. We give thanks for faithful relationships and marriage, we sing many of the hymns chosen for weddings and the organ music at the end is one of the famous recessional pieces.This is a popular service and all are welcome. There is also an opportunity after the service to show your photos and enjoy a glass of wine or fruit juice.    

Funerals

All Souls' Service

A very popular service, the Commemoration of All Souls is held here on the Sunday nearest 2 November at 16.00.There is music and readings, prayers and the lighting of candles by members of the congregation; the names of the dead are read out and silence kept. People find it very moving and beautiful and make a point of coming back each year.

Memorial Services

Generally a memorial service takes place several weeks after the funeral. Sometimes a memorial service is referred to as a service of thanksgiving. Usually the deceased had a connection either with the church or this part of London.

The Rector and Director of Music are involved in the planning of the service.

The Columbarium

The Columbarium is known as 'one of London's secret gardens.' It lies to the east of the church down a flight of stairs. There are some niches on an outside wall and others are in a covered area enclosed by a gate. We have many requests for the placing of ashes here, but because of the limited space, only the ashes of those who were worshipping members of the congregation or who lived within the parish at time of death are placed there.

"I am the resurrection and the life," says the Lord."Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die." John 11.25,26