The Christian life has a basic rhythm, or heartbeat, of coming together with others in worship and of being sent out to share in the mission of God to the world. Many excuses for not worshipping go something like this, "Oh, you really don't have to go to church to be a Christian": WRONG! Through baptism we are made members of Jesus' body, the church, and it is in and through the church that Jesus makes himself present on earth. Our personal prayer, our private acts of Christian duty, our daily life wherever we may be, all derive their meaning from our corporate worship in the community of the Church. If we cannot begin to recognize Jesus in other people, we shall never recognize him in himself.

What is the principal act of worship throughout the parish and why?

The main act of worship in all four churches across the parish of Solihull is based upon what Jesus did with his friends at a final meal on the night before he died. This meal is called the Last Supper at which Jesus gave his friends a gift, a gift which would be a sign of the sacrifice he was soon to make on the cross on Good Friday. This gift would be a sign to tell them:

• you matter to me

• I give myself to you.

In the Upper Room on that Maundy Thursday night, Jesus gave his friends the gift of himself in the form of bread and wine. Through this means Jesus promised his friends that they could continue to meet him and be united with him, even when he would be taken from them.

Jesus celebrated this meal within the context of the Jewish Passover meal, at the end of which he said and did something with the bread and cup of wine. The Gospel accounts in the bible tells us that Jesus took some bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying,

"Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me".

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave thanks; he gave it to them saying,

"Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shedfor you"

Because our worship is bible based, we seek to follow Jesus' command to literally, "Do this in remembrance of me." Jesus is the host of the Christian family meal and we have to communicate with him. He is present as our food, the eating of which strengthens and sustains us on our journey which began in baptism and which will end when we share in eternal life with him in heaven. This meal can be known by different names: the Lord's Supper, the Mass, and the most popular- the Eucharist. Eucharist is a Greek word which means 'thanksgiving' during which Christians are united with Jesus and with each other as they receive the holy bread and wine in that part of the Eucharist called 'holy communion'.

Who may receive holy communion at the Eucharist?

Although the celebration of the Eucharist is ajoy filled occasion it is also an encounter with the living God, so we need to approach the sacrament with reverence and after due preparation. For adults this is usually through the Sacraments of Christian belonging or initiation - Baptism and Confirmation. This will follow a period of enquiry with other adults, beginning with our enquirers' course, JustExplore .

Young people and children are prepared for First Communion following a period of enquiry and instruction, on the understanding that with parental encouragement and support they will worship faithfully and regularly.

Communicant members of other churches who believe in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, are welcome to receive holy communion with us.

Does this mean anyone can worship God at the Eucharist?

Yes, without doubt, all will be welcomed. Those who do not receive holy communion are encouraged to come to the altar rail with communicants where they ( and their children) can receive God's blessing from a priest.

One basic service, but a number of different styles to suit our personalities and needs.