St Mary's, Whitby opened in 2001.

St Mary's Anglican Church

Whitby, Porirua City, NZ

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Worship

Sunday Worship Pattern  |  Special Services  |  Weddings & Funerals | Music Ministry

Worship is the constant response of a Christian to God.

We worship every day as we live the Christian lifestyle and formally and informally make our spiritual responses to God and to others.

Our daily worship may include Bible study and reflection, prayer, being gracious to people and expressing the fruit of the Spirit in and through our lives. It will express itself both in our thought life and in our actions.

Formal acts or services of worship with others, and particular those we do on Sunday, are commonly understood as true worship. However these are greatly enhanced when we rightly understand that worship is our constant, everyday expression of adoration and gratitude to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Every Sunday we gather in St Mary's at 9:30am and give thanks to God for the week that has passed and we prepare for the week to come. Making music and singing in services is a very important part of what we do. We use a data projector linked to a quality sound system to enhance our services. A weekly newsletter is normally the only literature you are handed when you enter church for a service.

The way we express our worship on Sundays varies week to week. It includes all-ages-together time and often we break-out for part of the service to do age-appropriate learning and other activities.

The typical Sunday worship pattern for the month during school term time is:

Sunday

  1. Altogether inter-generational service which usually runs for about one hour. We remember and pray for those who are having birthdays or other significant anniversaries during the month. The service is very participatory. We do not share holy communion in this service.
  2. We gather all together for about 10 minutes before we break-out into age groups. We re-gather to say prayers before communion, we share the communion together and we sometimes share with the other groups what we did during the break out time.
  3. We gather all together for about 10-15 minutes before we break-out into age groups. We re-gather over morning tea after the service. We do not share holy communion in this service.
  4. We gather all together for about 10 minutes before we break-out into age groups. We re-gather to say prayers before communion, we share the communion together and we sometimes share with the other groups what we did during the break out time.
  5. We gather all together for about 10-15 minutes before we break-out into age groups. What happens then varies. Sometimes we will re-gather to share communion. Other times, when we do not share communion, we re-gather over morning tea.

During school holidays we do not normally break-out into age groups during the service. We seek to be relevant to all ages on these Sundays.

We strive to make our Sunday worship a highlight of the week for those who come. We seek to do this by creating a relaxed atmosphere and by involving people in presenting our Sunday service.

Every Sunday there is always a gathering time after the service. It will usually involve hot or cold drink and cakes or biscuits. Occasionally it will extend to a brunch or luncheon.

Special Worship Services

We are always looking to enhance Sunday and other services of worship. We keep the major Christian Festivals viz. Christmas, Easter, Pentecost (May-June) and our Saint's Day (St Mary) mid-August. Otherwise, we have special celebrations when there are baptisms, formal admissions to communion, confirmations, Bishop's visits, guest speakers etc.

During Holy Week (the week before Easter), on Ash Wednesday (Feb/Mar) and when visiting individuals or groups pass through, special services are scheduled other than on a Sunday.

Once a term, as part of our chaplaincy to Marsden Whitby College, we have a special service for Marsden students and teachers in St Mary's on a Wednesday morning.

Weddings and Funerals

You might like to use St Mary's for weddings or funerals. Normally the St Mary's priest will be involved in preparation and leading services. To enquire about or to arrange a funeral or a wedding, please make contact.

You can be assured that your deceased loved one's and your own funeral requirements will be respected as a funeral service is planned. After funeral care and support will be offered according to your requirements.

The St Mary's priest is a licensed marriage celebrant and is available to conduct your marriage ceremony in St Mary's or at other venues. Recognising the importance of marriage, time will be given to adequate preparation of couples for marriage and to the detail of the marriage service. Terry is trained to administer "Prepare" and "Enrich" marriage preparation and refreshment material. Fees are very reasonable and will be discussed at an initial interview.

May Sunday Services

 

Sunday 4th May

Sunday After Ascension

"Go to the outermost places"

All Ages Together - includes baptism

 

Sunday 11th May

Pentecost & Mother's Day

"Better Together" 40 Days(1)

Breakouts

Worship Leader - Robin

Music - Sylvia Nicholson

Message - Terry Alve

 

Sunday 18th May

"Mission" 40 Days(2)

Breakouts

Worship. Music Group.

Message - Rob Moonlight

 

Sunday 25th May

"Fellowship" 40 Days(3)

Breakouts & Communion

Worship Leader - Ian

Music - Alma & Group

Message - Terry Alve

 

Harvest Thanksgiving in St Mary's