We understand that going somewhere you’ve never been before can be daunting and we do everything we can to ensure visitors of all ages and backgrounds feel at home and part of the family …
Below is all that you can expect when you join us on a Sunday morning, at 11am English speaking services. We also have a Sunday evening; 5.30pm Romanian speaking service as well as a Saturday 6pm bible study in Romanian.
You will be helpfully greeted when you arrive by friendly people. We have a team of people who are available to help in any way they can, just ask. At the 9am service you can help yourself to a pastry and fresh coffee if you wish.
You can choose your seating and our ushers are always available to give advice on where may suit your needs best. Our 9am service is more relaxed, whilst our 11am services are streamed live online, therefore if you wish not to possibly appear on camera sit no further than 3 rows from the front.
When you enter the building you will find a relaxed environment with modern music playing in the background. People feel comfortable wearing what they feel comfortable wearing. Most people wear casual to casual smart clothing but it's really up to you. People are friendly (we've all visited for the first time) and you will see lots of genuine smiles. We are very diverse in many ways - lots of young people, young adults, families and not so young adults join us each week coming from all sorts of walks of life. We are also culturally diverse, with many different nationalities represented. Many didn't grow up in church and wouldn't ever have considered themselves to be the 'church attending' type of person
A greeting will be given from the stage and then the band will begin to lead some contemporary Christian songs. The words appear on the large screen and people sing along and participate, often standing. The songs are often quite simple to learn so visitors often feel able to join in - but they are free just to take in all that is going on around them. The music is rhythmic with the band containing a range of instruments. The experience is joyful, positive and uplifting.
Other elements that may be included are prayers for specific needs, stories of people who have experienced God help them, communion (a celebration of Jesus death and resurrection using the symbols of bread and juice) and announcements of things coming up in the church calendar. We also take an offering each week but this is primarily an opportunity for regulars to give
We have excellent children and youth programmes for various ages, run by gifted teams (all DBS checked with appropriate safeguarding training). Children and young people are involved in the 11am service up until the announcements, at which point guidance is given on where they should go for their specialised age specific programme. Our teams will be on hand to introduce them to others and ensure they have an excellent experience
Each week a bible based sermon is given. We find that the bible is full of life tools that when explained, can relevantly impact our lives. The speakers are really down to earth and take care to explain things clearly, often using illustrations. Sermons may include humour, inspirational stories and observations from every day life but they always centre around the relevant message of the bible
We will often give opportunity for people to be prayed with in person. Some may want to become a Christian, others will be looking for healing or hope in a difficult situation and our team count it a privilege to get alongside them.
We have excellent coffee and tea available for free after the 11am service and people often stay around for a while enjoying being together in such a great atmosphere.
Sunday 11am (main entrances) held in our main sanctuary
Children's and Youth work 11:30am during term times (locations as directed)
IIC Barrack Corner, Ipswich Suffolk IP1 2NB
(Adjoining Burlington Road and Portman Road [North])
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