You are really very welcome to come and explore any Sunday service at the Abbey. Shown below is our normal pattern, but at the major Christian festivals (such as Advent, Christmas and Easter) the worshipping life of Malmesbury Abbey is an especially rich and busy one, so it’s best to check the Abbey’s Weekly News Sheet or contact the Parish Office for details.
9am BCP Holy Communion (Said)
At 9am on a Sunday 10-20 people gather in the stillness and serenity of the 12th century Abbey and pray the ancient words of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion. This service includes a short sermon and finishes at approximately 9.40am.
10.30am Holy Communion (Choral)
Our 10.30am Abbey service is not dissimilar to the Sunday morning worship of some of our ancient Anglican Cathedrals—with a robed choir and ministers, beautiful hymns, anthems and liturgy. All our congregations share a belief that the Bible is transformative in the life of our community, so you can also expect a 20 minute sermon and there is opportunity to take things deeper in a network of small groups during the week. Every Sunday our prayer ministry team is in St Aldhelm’s Chapel after the service praying for healing and wholeness for all who come for confidential prayer, and after each service there is generally a noisy hubbub at the back of the Abbey as Fairtrade coffee, and frequently cake, is served. Please note that on the 4th Sunday of the month our 10.30am service is sometimes Morning Prayer with Healing Ministry or Holy Communion with Baptism.
4pm Informal Worship (Contemporary)
The 4pm is an informal, contemporary service with dedicated provision for children and young people . You can expect passionate worship led by a band, children’s games and activities, coffee in the middle of the service, occasional videos or interviews, an All-Age Communion once a month, and a commitment to engaging teaching and prayer during and after the service. Everyone in our 4pm congregation is encouraged to link up with a mid-week small group led by a specially trained pastor.
6:30pm Choral Evensong (4th Sunday)
On the fourth Sunday of the month at 6.30pm people are drawn from all over North Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire for an inspiring Choral Evensong sung by the Abbey choir. The liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer and readings from the King James Version of the Bible are accompanied by sung responses, psalms, canticles and anthems.
Midweek
Each day you are welcome to join us in St Aldhelm’s Chapel at 9am for Morning Prayer. A simple liturgy, a hymn, a psalm, bible readings and a time of prayer together. And on Wednesdays at 10.30am there is a service of Holy Communion followed by coffee.