Christians have gathered on a Sunday to worship since the earliest days of the Church, because it was the day Jesus was resurrected on. On Sundays we gather together as a family to worship God, hear Him speak to us through the Bible, rest in His promises, celebrate the sacraments, enjoy His good gift to us of the church, and spiritually refuel for the week ahead.

We’ve been doing this for two thousand years or so, and so along the way, we acquired a lot of habits in how we do it. These can be very confusing if you don’t know what is going on (and sometimes even if you do!)

Christians believe that when they gather together to pray, hear God speak through his Word, in God’s presence, their gathering is a little glimpse of heaven on earth.

What happens when I arrive?

Someone will greet you at the door! They can tell you where the toilets are if you need to know.

Once inside, sit anywhere you like. 

What happens in a service?

There are several activities we do in a Church Service.

We Pray

Prayer is speaking to God.  In doing it we learn to enjoy what Jesus has always enjoyed, a close relationship with God as our Father, where no joy, concern or niggling worry in our hearts is too small or insignificant to share with Him, in who we can have absolute confidence and total trust.

However, as we do not relate to our heavenly Father just as individuals but also as a whole family, and so we talk to God together in church, bringing our communal concerns before him. Sometimes, we nominate a spokesperson to do the talking for us but their words are our words, and so we all come to present them together, giving the words the weight of all our hearts and wants.

Some people pray with their hands folded and eyes closed. Some might lift their hands and keep their eyes open, others might kneel. There is no right way to pray, all of these actions are to help people concentrate and not get distracted. Do what works best for you. If you agree with the prayer, and want to make it your own, when the person leading says “Amen!” join in with the congregation saying back a loud “Amen!” (which just means “I agree!”) at the end.

We listen and Speak

Church is not a spectator sport, but participatory. We are all worshipping together, and we are all equal participants. That’s why there is a lot of listening and speaking together in church. Sometimes something is read aloud, and the whole church listens and then responds together. We speak and read out loud all together in church to say things that are important and true. It’s called liturgy, which just means ‘the words of the people.’

Liturgy is usually words taken straight out of the Bible, (which is all God’s Words). The familiarity of the words carves truths about Jesus on our hearts. Usually the service leader will speak first the words on the screen, then we all say together the words in bold.

The Bible is read and preached

If prayer is us speaking to God then the reading and the preaching is God speaking to us. We believe the Bible is the very Words of God, and that when it is read the Holy Spirit will use it to speak to our hearts. The sermon is when the preacher talks about the passage that has been read and shows us how it points us to Jesus, and what that means for us as followers of Jesus, and helps us to fall more in love with Him than anything else.

We Sing

People don’t sing in groups together any more, unless you’re in a choir, or at the football, or in church. Good singing is always an outpouring of feeling. Christians sing together because they are thankful to God! In the book of Colossians in the  Bible, it says: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

This means our singing in church is a reactive outpouring of feelings in reaction to what we learn about God in the Bible. In our singing, we worship God by giving him praise, we teach our hearts how to respond to God, and we teach and encourage each other!

We sit and Stand

Some things are too big to be said just with words. Posture show our emotions and our attitude and sometimes teach us what our emotions and attitude should be. They give meaning back to the words, and help us remember them. There are several actions that are quite common in a church service.

Standing – Standing is something you might do when someone very important enters the room, like a Judge, a member of the Royal Family. You might also stand to say something important, like a speech. We stand to hear God speak through the Bible, or to read the Creed, and to sing!

Kneeling – Kneeling is what you would traditionally do to address your liege Lord and King, to show yourself totally submissive to their will. That’s why many Christians have followed Jesus’ example, and knelt to pray, right from the earliest days of the church. Most people in our churches no longer kneel to pray, but no one will find it strange if you want to.

Raised Arms – In the Bible, we see that Christians often lifted their hands to pray. It has become more popular again for Christians to raise their hands while praying or singing. Like little children opening their arms, it can show they want to be given something, and also that they are ready to receive what is given!

Not everyone can kneel or stand. Not everyone wants to raise their hands. And you don’t have to if you don’t want to either. But if you think you will find these things helpful –go for it, no one will think it strange or stare.

What should I wear?

Feel free to wear whatever you like. Some people like to dress more formally, feeling that Sunday is the most special day of the week, and that gathering to worship our awesome God is worth dressing up for. Some people feel more at home in Church by dressing as they do at home. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable.

Can I bring my children?

Everyone of all ages is very welcome in church! We know God put the wriggle in children so don’t worry if they struggle to sit still for so long, most grown ups find it hard too, and we won’t be upset. There are children’s groups running at most locations if they want to go out, and creche rooms to calm crying little ones, but we know that can feel scary when you don’t know anyone, and you’re very welcome to keep them in with you too.

What is communion?

Holy Communion is a sacrament, which is something Christians are commanded by Jesus to do by which we experience His grace (undeserved goodness) to us. Communion is the eating and drinking of bread and wine at God’s table, as His children, to remember Jesus' sacrifice for us on the cross, and look forward to His coming again. Communion is for Christians, so if you are not yet living with Jesus as your King, you are welcome to go forward for a blessing or just stay in your seat for this part of the service.  We normally celebrate Communion towards the end of our services.

How can I find out more? 

If you have any other questions whatsoever please feel free to contact us either by phone or email. We are here to help! 

We look forward to welcoming you to a service soon.