Our Sunday morning service (9am) is a rich time as we gather to worship, pray and learn about God by hearing what the Bible has to say. We take communion regularly, remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Seeing people take the step of being baptised is a highlight of church life. Children join us in the 9am service, before the Sunday School and Creche program at 10am, during term times. After the service, we enjoy catching up with new and old friends over morning tea.
What happens at church?
How long do services go for?
What happens at a service?
What should I wear?
Do I need to bring a Bible?
Will I be asked to give any money?
Will I be asked to speak in front of other people?
What is ‘communion’ and do I need to participate?
What is a ‘baptism’?
What is a ‘dedication’?
I’ve got a young child who might make noise – can I still come?
How long do services go for?
Our services generally go for 90 minutes, which includes a sermon of about 35 minutes.
What happens at a service?
When you arrive, you’ll be greeted at the front door and given a newsletter that contains church news and details about upcoming events. When you enter the church, you’re welcome to sit anywhere you like.
Most services start with a time of singing, which helps people to focus on the reason they came to church – to spend time with God – and to ‘praise’ Him, by confirming how great He is. Usually a worship leader, one or two singers and a team of musicians lead the church in singing songs throughout the service. We sing a selection of both contemporary and traditional songs.
During or after the singing time, someone or a few people will make some ‘announcements’ and pray. Announcements are news items for people who regularly attend the church, and may be about things the church should pray for, such as people who are unwell, or about upcoming events that people might want to come to.
At each service, there is a talk (‘sermon’) based on the Bible, where the speaker explains how the Bible reading applies to everyday life. Sermons are one way that Christians find out more about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and how to live as God wants us to.
Sometimes services contain special ceremonies such as communion, a baptism or an infant dedication.
Usually services finish with a song or two , then a prayer.
After the service, morning tea is served – people enjoy catching up with each other over a cuppa.
What is ‘communion’ and do I need to participate?
‘Communion’ is a section of the service where Christians remember and celebrate Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for them by eating a piece of bread and drinking a small glass of grape juice, to remind them of Christ’s body and blood. If you haven’t yet come to the point of believing in Christ, you do not need to participate in communion. Communion is generally celebrated on the first, third and fifth Sundays of each month.
What is a ‘baptism’?
The church holds a baptism when someone or a few people come to a point in their relationship with God when they want to make a public expression of their faith in Christ. Baptism is a way of saying publicly that someone has turned away from their old life, and is committed to their new life with God.
During a baptism ceremony, the person being baptised gives a ‘testimony’, which is a brief talk about how God found them, and the difference that He has made in their life. After this, one of the pastors and the person being baptised will get into some water, such as a pool or a river. The pastor will ask the person being baptised if they believe that Jesus died for their sins, and if the person says ‘yes’, the pastor will say that he baptises them in the name of the Father (God), the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit, before plunging the person fully under the water for a second. There is nothing ‘special’ about the water – it symbolises that the person being baptised identifies with Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
What is a ‘dedication’?
In a dedication ceremony, parents of a baby or a young child come before the church to publicly commit to raising that child in a way that will help them to get to know Jesus Christ as they grow up. The church also agrees to support the family in raising that child to get to know Jesus Christ, usually by standing when asked by the pastor to show their agreement. The pastor will pray for the family and the child. This does not mean that the child is now a Christian – they need to make that decision individually during their life.
What should I wear?
Most people wear casual clothes to church.
Do I need to bring a Bible?
Bibles are available in the church pews. It is a good idea to bring your own Bible if you have one.
Will I be asked to give any money?
During the service, some people will collect ‘the offering’. Many people who attend regularly give money as a way of contributing to the operational costs of the church as well as to support various missions at home and overseas. Please do not feel any pressure to give any money if you don’t want to – just pass the offering bag onto the next person in the row.
Will I be asked to speak in front of other people?
No-one will be asked to speak in front of other people. The majority of ‘speaking’ is done by the pastor or guest speaker on stage.
I’ve got a young child who might make noise – can I still come?
There are parents with young children at our church, and young children are welcome to be present in our services. Many parents find bringing some ‘quiet’ toys to church for their children to play with during the service works well.
If your child becomes uncomfortable, you are welcome to go to the Parents’ Room located next to the Sunday School room.
Find out more about our Creche and Sunday School.