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The Methodist Church

The United Reformed Church




 picture of the inside of the church


Matlock Methodist & United Reformed Church, also known within the community as Bank Road Church, is a wonderful building with access for all and modern facilities and is located on the hillside above Matlock Town centre in the Peak District of Derbyshire.

As well as the worship services each week, the Church has a wide variety of groups and activities that meet and provide fellowship and fun for all ages including community groups that regularly use the premises.

This Church is constantly looking to ways of working in the community and reaching out to those in need both locally and further a field with more than just donations. We have committed to supporting Fairtrade products and the Make Poverty History campaign.

Everyone is welcome to come to this Church and it is prayed that they will find rest, refreshment and peace in a caring, praying community and our LORD JESUS CHRIST.


Image of Rev. Lyn Houghton

Message From Our Minister

Latest Manse Musings


New Year Greetings from the manse at Matlock, January 2010

A new year and a new decade begin and I guess we all look back reflecting as much as we look forward, hoping and praying for the world and a less troubled year ahead.

A brand new 2010 stretches out before us like an empty page as we each make our plans which shape our future. We may make New Year's resolutions which realistically probably won't last and then think about mistakes we've made.

How often do we think that it would be good to tear out our blotted copy book, wipe the slate clean and start afresh? But surely its impossible?

So many of our wrong judgements and mistakes can stay with us for the rest of our lives, and no matter how hard we try to put things right, there's no way of putting the clock back. At best we carry on, making the most of life and wearing the scars.

The Bible gives us a story of hope. From the Old Testament (before Jesus) comes the message God gave through Ezekiel: 'A new heart I will give you - a new spirit I will put within you'.

Then from the New Testament (with Jesus) the words from the Apostle Paul: 'If anyone is in Christ (i.e. has Jesus in their lives) they are a new creation; everything old has passed away - see everything has become new'. I think that's rather good news for us all at the start of this New Year and decade.

God CAN take the past, transform it and heal the hurts for us. We can't change what has gone by, but we can influence the future. Since God holds the future too, why not step into the future with Him?

You could use this prayer to get you started:

Loving God, in Jesus your promise is to make all things new, in heaven and on earth. We turn to you in this New Year with new hopes and old fears, new dreams and old weaknesses. Because you are a God of love and hope, we know you accept all our mistakes of the past and create all the possibilities of the future. Help us to step into the future with you, trusting and glad to follow your ways, in Jesus name. Amen.

Every Blessing and best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Rev Lyn <><

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Church Membership

The Church has a membership that has been between 100 and 150 in number in recent years. We are always pleased to welcome new Members and to have the opportunity to encourage non-Members to consider membership. Membership is transferable between Churches so when Church Members move to and from an area they can transfer their membership to their local Church if they wish so that they can fulfil their obligations as Church Members.

Membership of the Methodist or United Reformed Church is not a requirement of attending worship services or any of the regular meetings or activities held in the Church premises. Church Membership is for when an individual has reached a decision in their faith life that means they are prepared to commit themselves to following Jesus Christ in their daily lives.

Image of Candle & Bible

As a Member of the Methodist Church you are called to: -
  • Worship within the local church, including regular sharing in Holy Communion, and through personal prayer
  • Learning and caring, through bible study and meeting for fellowship, so that you may grow in faith and support others in their discipleship
  • Service, by being a good neighbour in the community, challenging injustice and using your resources to support the Church in its mission in the world.
  • Evangelism, through working out your faith in daily life and sharing Christ with others.

Church Membership preparation classes are held for Christians of all ages and the Church provides the ongoing support and infrastructure for Church Members to fulfil their commitment to the Church and to Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Quick Links


Introduction
Message from our Minister
Church Membership
Worship Services
Music In Worship
Church Structure

image of the altar

Worship Services

The regular worship services held in our Church are open to anyone to come to, whether Christian or non-Christian. We would ask that when you do come, you respect the setting for those who are worshipping.

Image of Wine

Sundays other than first of the month
Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. followed by Coffee & Tea

First Sunday of the Month
Morning Communion 9:30 a.m. followed by Refreshments at 10:15 and Family Service at 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. approx.

Third Sunday of the Month (Apr-Sept)
Evening Worship 6:30 p.m.

Third Wednesday of each month
Holy Communion service 11:00 am

Our services are led by both ordained Ministers and non-ordained worship leaders, called Lay Preachers and thereby we enjoy a variety of styles of worship that all bring glory to God and seek to strengthen our love of our Lord Jesus.

Our Sunday Morning Worship Services regularly have around 70 people attending and other services enjoy a range of attendances with the Worship Room capable of accommodating over 200 people.

We enjoy the sound of children and if you do have youngsters with you, they are welcome too.

For those who would prefer to retire to our crèche with their youngster, the sound system in the Church relays into the crèche so that you may still hear the service.

The Junior and Youth Church that runs during our Sunday morning worship services has groups that cater for those as young as the age of 3. There are three groups, 3 ups, 7 ups and 11 ups all with a warm welcome for any young people who would like to join with them.

The Church in common with Methodist and United Reformed Church practice enjoys the benefit of having a variety of ordained Preachers and non-ordained lay Preachers or worship leaders to lead the services and our Minister, Rev. Lyn Houghton preaches both at our Church and other Churches in the Derbyshire Dales Circuit.

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Music In Worship

We use the Hymns & Psalms and The Source hymn books, together with occasional songs from other publications or sources. Our Bible is the Good News Bible and again occasionally other translations and versions are utilised.

Within the Church chairs there are copies of each of the hymn books and bibles and other service books are provided as required. We also have large print versions of the books for those who may need them. It is asked that all of these resources are respected.

Within our Sunday Morning Worship Services we enjoy the benefit of a mixed group of musicians who join together with the keyboard and organ in providing our music for the service. Our singing is also led by a choir who occasionally perform anthems or other musical items during the service.

Our Sunday Evening Worship Services largely have the organ or keyboard to provide our music and only on special occasions are other instruments playing. The Sunday Evening services are often calming and reflective services of worship and prayer though not always.

Our other worship and communion services do not normally have musical items although occasionally the sound system is used to play musical accompaniment or reflective music.

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Local Church Structure

Our Church is a Local Ecumenical Partnership between the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church and we are a part of the Derbyshire Dales Circuit of the Methodist Church within the Nottingham & Derby District as well as being a part of the United Reformed Church, East Midlands Synod.

Our partner Churches in the Derbyshire Dales Circuit include Dale Road, Darley Hillside, Hackney, Wensley, Winster, St. Helens, Matlock Moor, Tansley, Bolehill, Cromford, Holloway and Wirksworth.

Rev. Lyn Houghton is also Minister for Matlock Moor Methodist Church.



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