Sunday services
Communion service (10am)
Highlights: contemplative, prayerful, thankful, led by the Holy Spirit, remembrance
Along with millions of Christians around the world, we pause for an hour to reflect on the most important part of the Christian faith - the work of God to save us. After an opening thought we reflect and pray, thankful to remember the words of Jesus when he prophesied his body would be broken for us, and his blood poured out for us. We remember how the Lord Jesus chose to enter our world as a baby (Christmas festival) to take our sin onto himself (Easter events), the greatest act of love God can show us. We remember how he conquered death after he died on a cursed tree and rose again, paving the way for us, so we too can rise after death. We marvel at the eternal life that God has promised to us, as we trust in the Lord Jesus our Saviour.
Praise and Preaching Service (11am)
Highlights: focused, hymns, sermons that follow a theme, theology, fellowship
As a church family we long to know God more and one way we grow in our relationship with the Lord is through listening to the teaching of his word. At Culverden Church we have many guest speakers, along with men from our own congregation. We enjoy singing hymns and choruses to reflect what the sermon is about. We read the word of God, pray for those in the church and for our country and world. A big portion of the service is given to 30-40 minutes listening to someone preaching from God’s word.
Like most churches worldwide, tea, coffee and biscuits are always a part of our social time after the service, a time to have discussion on what we have just learned, a catch-up, or prayer with each other as needed.
Sunday Afternoon Gatherings (4.30pm)
Highlights: food! Savoury and sweet. Singing with fun talks, or prayer for missions
Once a month we have a meeting which can take all sorts of forms. We sing, we read poetry, we hear testimonies of people’s lives and work, we get to know each other and we always end with scrumptious food and refreshments! There’s always a happy hum of voices as people catch up and share together.
Once a month we also enjoy a focused and open prayer time for God’s work in mission around the world. We pray for those within our church who are serving the Lord and peoples in different parts of the world. We pray for charities and services happening in our own town, Tunbridge Wells. We pray our neighbours and friends and for God’s blessing on our town. We pray that many will have the joy of meeting and trusting the Lord in a new and positive way. It is always encouraging and fascinating to hear stories of people seeking and trusting Jesus for the first time.
Children in the Church Family
Highlights: worship together, singing, Bible teaching, sharing together, weekly Bible doodling, Bible verse memorisation
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14
As a church family we enjoy doing church together. Families stay together in our services, and many of us have witnessed a deep understanding and love of the Lord Jesus as children learn about the Lord alongside adults. Each child has a folder to write, draw, doodle what they learn from our preachers. It is joy to see the depth of understanding children have of the Lord. “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:7
First Sunday of the month, or as need requires, we have kids church during the 11am service. For all services there is a creche room for parents who want to listen to the preacher, but need to attend to their younger children.
Like most churches, refreshments and biscuits are always a part of our social time after the service.
We are praying that the Lord guides more families to our fellowship. If you are a parent, or carer, with kiddos, and want to serve in a loving Church family with a missional heart, do reach out to us and prayerfully consider joining our church family.
Midweek Get-together’s
Prayer Gatherings (8pm on Mondays and Thursdays)
Highlights: sharing together as a family, relaxed, safe, prayer, trusting the Lord
We meet either on Monday’s or Thursdays at one of our homes. Sadly the Western world sees a decline in numbers of people attending prayer meetings, and yet it is a key part of our walk with the Lord and sharing life together as a church. Our prayer meetings are for anyone who wants to offer their praise and requests to the Lord, to pray for our nation and the nations.
A Warm Space (10am-2pm on Mondays)
Highlights: warmth! Soup, hot drinks, toys for kids, board games, books, relaxation
Together with churches in the area, we open our church up once a week for communities in Tunbridge Wells. Culverden is open on Monday’s from 10.30am-2pm. We all hear, or experience unsettling news and there comes a time to find a place of warmth and relaxation, and that is what ‘a Warm Space’ is all about. Come join us, drop in for an hour, bring your kiddos to play with some toys, enjoy a warm bowl of soup, play a few board games, chat or pray with someone, or quietly read a book or newspaper in a cosy corner. Tables are set up for those who want to work on their own computers. Heating will be on. Kettle will be warming up for teas and coffees.
Women’s Bible Discussion (10.30am on Fridays)
Highlights: companionship, sharing, discussion, Bible study, friendship with God
There’s a joy when women seeking to know the Lord Jesus on a deeper level meet to share, learn together and pray. Each Friday morning we dive deep into a book of the Bible. We read passages of scripture together, discuss it, and seek to understand what the Lord is teaching us, and teaching the world. If you have never studied the Bible before, a good starting question is to ask “What does this teach me about Jesus?” A second follow up question would be “What does this teach us about myself?” How about a third question “How does this passage help me draw nearer to the Lord?”
