Simplicity: Our new 9AM Traditional, tech-free Holy Communion service

Key info

• What: A simple, traditional Holy Communion service with Scripture, prayer, silence, a short reflection and Communion
• When: 9am on the second Sunday of each month, starting Sunday 13 September
• How long: Around 30 minutes
• What to expect: No music or screens — a quieter, simpler space to slow down, meet with Jesus and receive from him
• Who: Anyone! You don’t need to think of yourself as someone who likes traditional church
• What about the main service: This isn’t a substitute for the 10:45 service — feel free to come to either or both!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

— Matthew 11:28

Life can be noisy and busy. There’s always something that needs doing, someone who needs us, or something else demanding our attention.

And sometimes we need a bit of help to actually stop.

Jesus’ invitation is wonderfully simple: “Come to me… and I will give you rest.”

This autumn we’re trying something new at St John’s which we hope will give people a bit more space to take Jesus up on that invitation.

What is Simplicity?

Simplicity is a short, traditional Holy Communion service at 9am on the second Sunday of each month.

It will last around 30 minutes. We’ll read the Bible, pray together, have some silence, hear a short reflection and share Holy Communion.

There won’t be a band, screens or much technology. As the name suggests, we’re going to keep it simple.

It will follow the Church of England’s Common Worship service, so it will feel more traditional than our 10:45 service.

That might not immediately sound like everyone’s cup of tea! But there are some things that this kind of worship is really good at.

The words are already there when we don’t have our own. We hear plenty of Scripture. We confess our sins, pray for the world and remind ourselves what we believe. There is space for silence. And at the centre of it all we come to the Lord’s table and receive Communion.

We don’t have to make anything happen. We can come, pray, listen and receive.

Is this replacing the 10:45 service?

Not at all.

We love our 10:45 service and want to keep investing in what makes it what it is: accessible, informal, intergenerational, intercultural and, at times, beautifully chaotic.

Simplicity gives us space for something different alongside it.

The Christian life has times for celebration and times for stillness; times to speak and times to listen; times to get involved and times simply to receive.

Some of us might find one of those easier than the other.

Who is it for?

You don’t need to think of yourself as someone who likes “traditional church”.

You might already love this kind of worship. You might have never experienced it before. You might normally come to 10:45 and fancy trying something different. You might find a busy, noisy service difficult. Or you might just need half an hour of quiet before the rest of Sunday begins.

You’re welcome.

For those who serve regularly at 10:45, particularly in our children’s and youth teams, it also gives another opportunity to receive Communion and worship without having another job to do.

When does it start?

We’re going to try Simplicity once a month from September to December and then see how it goes.

The trial dates are:

• Sunday 13 September
• Sunday 11 October
• Sunday 8 November
• Sunday 13 December

The service starts at 9am and will finish at around 9:30am, with plenty of time to grab a coffee and a chat p how before our 10:45 service.

There’s no need to sign up. Just come.

Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

We hope Simplicity can be one small space in the life of our church where we learn to do just that.