We add here services which take place regularly and those marking particular events in the Christian Calendar. We usually live stream our Sunday 9:30am Sung Eucharist on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/StNicholasChurchHarpenden Details of the services in all 3 churches in the Parish in Harpenden can be found on our website https://parishofharpenden.org

Choral Evensong

Occurring
Every First, Second, Third, Fourth Sunday at for 1 hour
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

A traditional service from the Book of Common Prayer beautifully led by our excellent choir. One of the jewels of our culture, and open to everyone: come as you are, sit back, and let the music wash over you.

During school holidays and on 5th Sundays in the month, other services may replace Choral Evensong.

Lent Course

Occurring
Every Tuesday at for 1 hour, 30 mins
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

In our Study Groups this Lent we are using the book 'Notes on an Execution' by author, screenwriter and dramatist Rhidian Brook. The book invites us to immerse ourselves in the events of Holy Week, using our spiritual imagination to experience the story of the Passion afresh.

Lent Compline

Occurring
Every Tuesday at for 30 mins
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

We gather behind the altar by candlelight for a brief reflection based on our Lent book, 'Notes on an Execution' by Rhidian Brook, followed by the quiet service of Compline. Come and be still in simplicity.

Midweek Eucharist

Occurring
Every Wednesday at for 40 mins
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

A quiet midweek, mid-morning service of Holy Communion - no hymns, no frills, and a short sermon.

This lovely service attracts a small friendly community who often go afterwards for coffee in Cornelia's Cafe just across the path in our Church Hall.

Holy Communion (BCP)

Occurring
Every Sunday at for 45 mins
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

A quiet and reflective service of Holy Communion, using the traditional service from the Book of Common Prayer. It includes a sermon and draws a small but varied congregation who enjoy the peace and tranquility of worship in the early morning.

A shorter version of this service (without sermon) takes place on the first Saturday of each month.

Sung Eucharist

Occurring
Every Sunday at for 1 hour
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

A service of Holy Communion with music led by our wonderful all-age choir. All are welcome to our largest service of the week - with hymns, a lively and thoughtful sermon, and activities for children for the first part of the service during school terms.

Four times a year the service is adapted and led by our children and young people (Harvest Festival, Mothering Sunday, Epiphany and St Albans Day at the end of June)

Morning Praise

Occurring
Every Sunday at for 1 hour
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

An informal all-age service of praise and songs, with talks and activities led by a variety of speakers.

On the last Sunday of each month it includes a Communion Service. The service is sometimes in Church and sometimes in the more informal setting of our Church hall, just across the churchyard.

Stainer's Crucifixion

Occurring
for 1 hour, 30 mins
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

Stainer's Oratorio 'The Crucifixion', sung by the Choir of St Nicholas Church. This piece tells the last days of Jesus' life in words and music, the Biblical narrative interspersed with choruses, solos and hymns (including the well known 'All for Jesus'). The piece is described as a spiritual vehicle to convey "theology and scripture at its most profound", and the melodies "as tools of glorification for God".
Bring Palm Sunday to a close and set the scene for Holy Week with this devotional performance.

Holy Week Compline

Occurring
Every day at for 1 hour
Start date
Please note that this event will not start until
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

We gather each evening during Holy Week for. series of reflections led by Revd Charlotte Bradley, Associate Priest at St Albans Cathedral. This is followed by the Service of Compline.

Liturgy of Maundy Thursday

Occurring
for 2 hours, 30 mins
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

This Sung Eucharist draws us into the drama of Maundy Thursday, as we experience through our worship the events of the Last Supper, the washing of the disciples' feet, and the arrest of Jesus.
During a dramatised reading of the Gospel, members of the congregation are invited to have their feet washed, and the service ends with the stripping of the church. It is followed by the Maundy Watch (silent prayer before the Altar of Repose where the Sacrament is reserved).

Liturgy of Good Friday

Occurring
for 1 hour, 30 mins
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

We mark the most solemn day of the Christian calendar with a service of words and music, silence and symbolism reflecting on the Cross and Passion of Jesus Christ - his death by crucifixion and the transforming sacrificial love that it demonstrated.
We gather, in a church stripped bare except for a large wooden cross, to hear the story of Jesus' trial, crucifixion and death, and to reflect on its meaning. The service includes music, Bible readings, prayers and silence, as well as space and opportunity to kneel before the Cross in worship.

Simply Worship for Good Friday & Easter

Occurring
for 1 hour
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

We welcome all to this simple service, remembering the events of Good Friday and looking forward to Easter. Part of our Simply Worship Programme, it is aimed especially at primary-aged children and their families and includes singing, child-focused Bible readings and craft activities. Hot Cross Buns will be served at the end!

Easter Dawn Service

Occurring
for 1 hour
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

This special and holy service marks the dawn of the Day of Jesus' Resurrection. We gather outside church to light the Easter Fire, we process the Paschal Candle into the dark church to fill it with light, and then celebrate together the first Eucharist of Easter Sunday. Followed by breakfast in Cornelia's Cafe!

Simply Worship

Occurring
Monthly. Every First Sunday at for 45 mins
Venue
St Nicholas, Harpenden
Address
Church Green (right in the town centre) Harpenden, AL5 2TP, United Kingdom

Our service especially designed for children and families - a relaxed, simple and short service accessible to all, usually with a craft activity. It attracts a good crowd, especially those who find it difficult to come on a Sunday morning. There are refreshments afterwards in the Church Hall.

We usually gather on the first Sunday of the month - but check the website for details.