Our main service is on a Sunday morning with breakfast at 9:30, morning worship starting at 10:30 and running until approx. 11:30. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are available after this service.

We also have one evening service per month.

Everyone is welcome to attend.


What can you expect on a Sunday @ Zion?

Where does the church meet?

  • Zion United Church, Woodend Rd, Frampton Cotterell, Bristol BS36 2HY
  • Entrances on the right-hand side of the building as you face it and also at the back of the building directly from the car park.

Accessibility

  • Some parking at the rear of the church, or alternatively arranged parking at the Royal British legion car park on Rycroft Road, a 5-minute walk from the church.
  • There are cycle racks at the rear of the church by the hall.
  • There is also on-road parking close by.

What should I expect when I visit a service?

In the morning

  • All age services (generally once per month) we stay together for the whole time and sing, watch video clips, hear readings from the Bible, have quizzes- all around a theme.
  •  At all other 10.30 services we stay together for the first 15 mins (10.30-10.45) and then the children and young people have their own groups for about 45 minutes whilst the adults sing, pray and hear someone explaining more from the Bible and what it means for our lives today. If you are new to church there will be people to welcome you (Hosts on the doors) and share what happens.
  • The second Sunday of the month usually includes Holy Communion- where worshippers are welcomed to take communion and are directed by stewards forward to a rail or in the seats and receive bread (gluten free wafers also available) and non-alcoholic wine, or to receive a blessing. All are invited to share in bread and wine who are on a journey of faith with Jesus. Children are welcome to receive communion or a blessing when we have communion during all age services- this is a family decision and Rev Sharon would be pleased to talk with you if you would like about this.

When you arrive

  •  You will be welcomed by a door steward- please do make yourself known to them and perhaps request a copy of Zion News which has lots of information in about the month’s activities.
  • You will be invited to go either in to the Beacon for breakfast or a drink (if before 10.20am) or in to the church- please do sit anywhere you will feel most comfortable- There are no reserved seats (except sometimes for Baptisms).

What happens during the service

  • At 10.30am the service begins with a welcome from a steward or from the Minister. Sometimes the service is led by a lay preacher. The person leading the service will guide everyone through. 
  • The words for all songs are provided on the screens.
  •  Music is led by the music group. 
  • There is an offering at most services when people are invited to give to the work of the church and community. A bag is passed around during the service and people give what they have prepared to.

In terms of when to stand up, when to sit down etc- it wouldn’t matter if you were doing the opposite of everyone else! However the rule of thumb is to stand for singing as people are able to, and at other times as requested by the person leading the service, plus when the offering is brought forward.

What happens after the service

At the end of each 10.30am service refreshments are served in the Beacon connected to the church. Please do stay if you are able.

Special occasions

The service may occasionally include a Baptism (child or adult)  or dedication which is  seen as part of the worship- friends and family of the baptism party remain for the whole service as it is all linked to the Baptism. 

In the evening

When you arrive

  • You will be welcomed by a door steward- please do make yourself known to them and perhaps request a copy of Zion News which has lots of information in about the month’s activities.
  • You will be invited to go into to the church- please do sit anywhere you will feel most comfortable-

There is an evening service on the 1st Sunday of the month which is Holy Communion and is at 4pm (Nov to Mar) or 6pm (April to Oct). This is a quieter service of communion. There is singing and music. The service usually last about 1 hour. Worshippers are all invited to the front to kneel/stand and receive bread and wine or a blessing or bread and wine are brought round to where people are seated. There are usually between 15 and 30 people attending.

 There is no dress code at Church. Some wear jeans, others wear shirt and tie- we are a mixed bunch! We want each person who comes to Church to feel welcome and comfortable- please join in with as much or as little as you like.

 

Please do come along to any of the services at any time- you’d be most welcome.

If you have further questions please contact Rev Sharon at sharon.lovelock@methodist.org.uk and she’ll get back to you asap.