Waltham Abbey Church

Services at the Abbey Church

Covid-19 Emergency

Due to the Covid-19 emergency only the services below will be taking place.

Sunday services:

8.30 a.m. Eucharist (traditional language).
10.30 a.m. Eucharist (contemporary language).
6.30 p.m. Choral Evensong or other evening service (some Sundays only).

See This Month for details.

Weekday services:

Wednesday – Eucharist at 10.30 a.m (traditional language).

Please read our guidance notes before attending. If you wish to raise any concerns or make suggestions, please direct these to the Churchwardens.

Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals:: These can be arranged with the Parish Office.

The resources below are available for you to use at home.

Sunday 28th November – Advent Sunday

Readings and prayers.
A worksheet for children.

Other Resources

An order of service for Morning Prayer at Home.
An order of service for Night Prayer.
The monthly Prayer Diary.
A Covid-19 prayer booklet from the Church of England.
The Church of England Daily Hope phone line: 0800 804 8044 (freephone). Please pass this phone number on to those who don't have access to anything other than a telephone.

Sunday Services

Under normal circumstances the following services take place weekly at the Abbey Church. We intend to return to this rhythm of worship once the Covid 19 Emergency has passed.

8.30 a.m.: Holy Communion: a quiet, reflective communion service with sermon, based on the 1928 prayer book.
10.30 a.m.: Parish Eucharist (2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays in the month): a Common Worship communion service with hymns, some parts are sung by the congregation and choir. The service has a formal structure but encompasses moments of informality and humour! For children, there are Sunday Clubs that meet for the first part of the serviceThe service lasts about an hour.; We invite you to stay for refreshments and fellowship after the 10.30am service.
6.30 p.m.: Choral Communion (1st Sunday): a service using traditional language from Common Worship with prayer book format. The service is led by our Choir using music from various classic composers. Includes sermon and hymns.; Choral Evensong (2nd and 4th Sundays): a service (main church) using the 1928 prayer book for evening prayer led by the Choir. With psalm, hymns, canticles, anthem and sermon.; Healing Eucharist (3rd Sunday): a Common Worship communion service with hymns, silence (a time for reflection or prayer), sermon and laying on of hands for healing. The laying on of hands takes place at the altar rail and is completely confidential - an opportunity for prayer for yourself or others. In style, a reflective and supportive service.; Choral Compline (Occasional Sundays): a quiet and reflective service using the ancient monastic service of Compline, which includes hymns, psalm and a short thought or reflection. The congregation and Choir sing parts of the service. The service lasts about 45 minutes.; Taize (Occasional Sundays): this is a service adapted from those of the Taize Community. This service of evening worship invokes some of the core characteristics of the Taize prayer service with plenty of silence, space for contemplation and the chanting of songs. The service lasts about 30-45 minutes.

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Weekday Services

Under normal circumstances the following services take place weekly at the Abbey Church. We intend to return to this rhythm of worship once the Covid 19 Emergency has passed.

Morning Prayer: 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Wednesday: Holy Communion: 10.30 a.m. in the main Church. A 1928 Book of Common Prayer communion service. Lasts 35 minutes and is followed by refreshments.

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Special Services

Weddings

We welcome enquiries about weddings, please contact the Parish Office for details. See also our Wedding Guide.

Renewal of Wedding Vows

Take place throughout the week. Please contact the Parish Office for details.

Baptisms

Baptisms usually take place on the first or third Sunday of the month after the main Sunday morning service. Enquiries please to the Parish Office.

Funerals

These usually take place on weekdays. Please make enquiries with the Parish Office.

Memorial Service

This takes place twice a year on a Sunday in spring and autumn (for dates and times, please see below or in the weekly notices; alternatively contact the Parish Office). A time to remember the departed who were close to us. All welcome.

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This month

November | December

November

Sunday 7th – Third Sunday before Advent

8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (traditional language)

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

music: Gloria: Jones; Sanctus: Inwood; Agnus Dei: Jackson (Communion Service in G); Hilton Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake; Vaughan Williams The Call

Sunday 14th – Second Sunday before Advent; Remembrance Sunday

8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (traditional language)

10.30 a.m. Service of Remembrance

music: Guest For the fallen; Ireland Greater love hath no man

6.30 p.m. Choral Evensong

music: Responses: Radcliffe; Canticles: Brewer (in D); Bainton And I saw a new heaven

Sunday 21st – Sunday next before Advent; Christ the King

8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (traditional language)

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

music: Gloria: Jones; Sanctus: Inwood; Agnus Dei: Viadana (Missa L’hora passa); Purcell O God, the King of Glory; Cashmore (arr.) Let all mortal flesh keep silence

Sunday 28th – Advent Sunday

8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (traditional language)

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

music: Kyrie: Inwood; Sanctus: Inwood; Agnus Dei: Leighton Communion Service in D); Manz E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come; Guest (arr.) Zion, at thy shining gates

6.30 p.m. Service of Music and Readings for Advent

music: Palestrina Matin responsory; Handel Thus saith the Lord (Messiah); Handel And the glory of the Lord (Messiah); Cashmore (arr.) A rose there is aspringing; Ledger Adam lay ybounden; Palestrina Vesper responsory

December

Sunday 5th – Second Sunday of Advent

8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

Sunday 12th – Third Sunday of Advent

8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

6.30 p.m. EFDC Chairman’s Carol Service

Sunday 19th – Fourth Sunday of Advent

8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

6.30 p.m. Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Friday 24th – Christmas Eve

11.00 p.m. First Eucharist of Christmas

Saturday 25th – Christmas Day

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

Sunday 26th – First Sunday of Christmas

8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

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