Services

10.45 am on Sundays Worship for All

at which you will find a warm welcome

Services last about 55 minutes. Our Worship Leaders include Ministers, such as our own Ipswich and East Minister Rev David Rees and Adam Earle, plus some excellent lay preachers, also including our own two lay preachers, Sara Pells and Peter Dawson. We use a large screen to pr oject elements of the service including the hymns.

Minister’s Letter

Our Communion Service is held on the first

Sunday in the Month

All age ‘Celebration Services’ are held with inputs from Rainbows, Brownies and Pre-School when circumstances permit.

Christmas:

Celebrating Jesus,

the Light of the World

As the days grow shorter and the nights seem longer, Christmas arrives to fill our world with light. This season is a time when we put up twinkling lights on trees, electric candles in windows, and decorations that brighten even the coldest, darkest evenings. But for Christians, the real light of Christmas doesn’t come from decorations—it comes from Jesus. In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” This statement, so bold and simple, carries the true meaning of Christmas. In Jesus, we find a light that guides, comforts, and sustains us. Christmas is the celebration of God stepping into our lives, bringing a light that darkness can’t overcome. If you think about it, the world into which Jesus was born wasn’t all that different from ours. It was a time of division, hardship, and uncertainty. People longed for hope, for a sense of peace and justice. And in the quiet village of Bethlehem, God gave us that hope—not as a king on a throne, but as a baby, born into humility. This baby would grow up to be someone who lifted up the poor, who welcomed the outsider, and who stood up for justice. Jesus’ light wasn’t just a comforting glow like my Christmas tree; it was a transformative force. For us today, Christmas is a reminder that we’re invited to carry this light into the world. Jesus’ light doesn’t ask us to deny the darkness or pretend everything is perfect. Instead, it calls us to be people who offer compassion, kindness, and hope to others. Just as light spreads and dispels darkness, our actions, however small, can bring warmth and brightness to those around us. So as we gather this Christmas season in numerous church services, concerts and in our homes, let’s think about the ways we can share the light of Christ. Maybe it’s by reaching out to someone who’s struggling, standing up for someone who’s overlooked, or simply being present with those we love. This Christmas, may we let Jesus’ light fill us and inspire us. And may we remember that even in the longest, darkest night, the light shines, reminding us that God is with us—Emmanuel. Blessings David

Room Hire

Below are the main rooms availab le followed by an interactive guide on hiring space at St John’s. The Booking Forms below the pictures of the spaces offer two ways to start the process of Booking. What is different between the methods can be seen in the interactive guide. The Main Hall Upstairs

This is used for Pre-school every weekday during term-time. Also by Brownies and Rainbows on Thursdays. Other than the Sanctuary, it is the largest space in the building and has kitchen fa ci lities just off the hall. Room 1 This is a regulary used space, including use as a Polling Station! It is easy to mak e all sorts of furnitur e arrangements. It is also straight off the main lobby so ma kes for easy access.

Rooms 4 and 5 A useful space, with a divider, so it can be made cosy or more open. It is used as a double room by the AA Group on a Wednesday evening regularly throughout the year. There is flexi bility in the setting of the furniture.

The Sanctuary The sanctuary is also very flexibl e in layout, but as the chairs are m ore substantial, re-arrangements r equire much more work. Ther e is a loop sound system and a projection screen. The organ console se en in the picture to the left is moveable. The organ pipes can be seen above the congregation seating ar ea in the picture below.

Last, but not least, are the supporting areas. There are toi lets on both floors including baby changing and disabled facilities on the gr ound floor. There is a small lift in the entrance lobby for people to get to and from the upper floor. Finally, each flo or has kit chen facilities. The pictures are of the downstairs kithen. There are toilets on both levels with a disabled facility on the ground floor.

Below is a brief guide to hiring a room in St John’s.

Download Roombooking PDF

Booking Rooms at St John's URC Ipswich

Initial Considerations When? Day? Time? Looking at the Church Diary will give you an indication of any availabilty Click here . How long needed for Booking Including : Setting Up, Clearing Up What Space Do You Really Need What Sized Space? How Many People? How Many Tables? How Many Chairs? Do You Need Kitchen Facilities? £ COST: Price on Application Please note that it will vary with the frequency of use and, in colder parts of the year, the heating requirements.

Car Parking This is really difficult so assume it is NOT AVAILABLE Conditions of Booking Summary No Smoking, No Exit Blocking Restrictions on Alcohol You Must

Take all precautions on safety Have Public Liability Insurance - See Conditions Document for Guidance on Public Liability Insurance requirements. Comply with all Laws On: • Health and Safety • Safe-Guarding of vulnerable adults and children • Food Hygiene • Entertainment Licences

• Disability • Equality • Clean and Tidy Up after the event with everything returned to its original place!

Complete Booking Enquiry Form There are 2 ways of doing this 1 Complete the enquiry Typeform on special page Click Here The simplest and most secure way

2 Download a form and complete it and return to: roombooking@stjohnsurcipswich.org.uk Simple and you can work on it when you have time and can check information. The form is a fillable PDF but you may need to print it still if your PDF reader is not able to cope with it.

Download this Guide

Conditions PDF