There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under the Sun. Ecclesiastes 3:1
What’s Church Like?
Thinking about visiting us at church or just want to know what goes on inside? Then this guide is for you.
Check below to see what to expect at any of our services and feel free to come along and join in!
This guide covers the following services:
Sabbath School
Divine service
Bible Study
Adventist Youth Service
Prayer Meeting
Our main day of worship is Saturday because God wrote that we should rest and keep it “holy” since He had rested on it after making the world. (Exodus 20:8 -11) We have four different types of service on Saturdays.
Saturday Morning 9.30 to 11 AM
Sabbath School
This is the time when everyone gets together to discuss a Bible Topic. It’s a different topic each week and you’ll notice that after the preliminaries (some hymn singing, a prayer and an introduction) the congregation will be invited to break up into groups or classes.
You will see people clustering into groups that are small enough to allow everyone to join in and a facilitator or teacher will stand at the front to stimulate the debate and ensure everyone gets to have their say. They may also clarify points or issues. You are welcome to give your views and ask as many questions as you like and the whole class will try to answer or respond.
The topics are organised in advance and you may notice that people have a small book with them in it. This book contains all the weekly topics and some supporting Bible texts, questions and readings. In this way everyone can be equally prepared to discuss the topic. The book is called a “quarterly”, simply because it contains all the Bible topics for a quarter of the year, or a lesson book.
At the end of the class the teacher will thank everyone and there will be some closing remarks, a mission story, hymn, and prayer from the front. Sometimes there will also be a “special item” that is a song, piece of music or poem by an individual or group.
The mission story will simply be a story about how someone came to learn about Jesus in another part of the world. After the story there will be a collection to ensure that the church can help more people in other parts of the world learn about Jesus. Whenever offerings are collected afterwards there tends to be a signal for the congregation to stand and a short prayer is said to ask God to help the offering to be used wisely. Remember all offerings are voluntary, it is up to you whether you wish to give or how much, and there will be another opportunity to give in the main service.
In some churches sometimes an envelope may be passed around the members and they may put money in it. You don’t have to do this as they are collecting money to help pay for the quarterlies so that they can issue them free each quarter. However in our church individuals order and pay for their quarterlies themselves unless they are elderly, in need of assistance or children.
At some point during the morning there will be a visitors welcome. In fact on entering the church you may have been invited to sign the visitor’s book. During the visitors welcome you may be asked to stand or your name may be read out from the book for a more personal welcome. Sometimes they may give out small tokens to visitors such as bookmarks, booklets etc. The aim is to make you feel welcome and ensure that members can see who you are so they can add their own personal welcome later.
At the end of the Sabbath School there is a short break to give people time to go to the toilet or collect their children from the children’s classes in the hall. (The children have their own classes arranged by age group with songs, stories and activities around a Bible story or moral. The classes have several teachers and you can sit with your child if you wish.) During this break announcements regarding coming events or meetings will be read and the church will fill up. Sometimes people sit quietly during the break but most often there is singing led by a singing group or individual from the front. The words of the song may be on a screen at the front so that you can join in. You are welcome to stay for the next part of the morning service too.
Saturday 11.30 – 1 PM
Divine Service
Divine service is when the sermon for the day occurs. It is a quiet service with no breaks and there is an area at the back of the church for mothers with small children so they can watch and listen without having to worry about their babies making too much noise.
You will see those taking part go onto the platform while everyone stands. They will kneel for a moment for silent prayer before they rise and one of them will begin the introduction to the service. The people on the platform will be introduced and there will be a hymn, prayer, Bible reading, and visitors welcome. In general people stand for hymns but may kneel, sit or stand for prayers depending on their health and the part of the service.
There will be a children’s story and all the children will go to the front to listen to it and then return to their seats then the offering will be collected. This is another voluntary offering and the money collected is used to fund the local church and pay its operating expenses.
After another hymn the speaker will stand to deliver the sermon. This will be a talk on a Bible topic or story that should provide us with insight into how we should live to be more like Jesus. Then after another hymn and prayer the service will end and the people on the platform will leave through the church while everyone stands. They will go to the door so that they can say hello and shake everyone’s hand as they leave.
After the service lunch may be served in the hall, you will either hear it being announced or smell it! This is free and open to everyone.
Saturday 4 PM
Bible Study
This is open to everyone (like all of our services) and the person leading it will go through the Bible to share as many references as they can in order to fully cover a topic after a short prayer. Bible Studies are usually led by the leaders of the church, for example the Pastor or an elder.
The Bible, and what is says is very important to Adventists and so you may notice that many people there will have a Bible with them and will be encouraged to find and read the Bible references for themselves. If you do not have a Bible or find it difficult to find all the references don’t be afraid to ask the person next to you to find them for you or if you can share their Bible.
There will be questions and some discussion, so it is a little like the Sabbath School in that way but the topics are dealt with more thoroughly and the person leading it is expected to explain and defend their views using the Bible as a reference. We believe that it is only by praying, studying the Bible and discussing openly that we can grow in our understanding of how God wants us to live.
So feel free to ask your questions and let them know if you don’t understand something or if you are aware of other Bible references that they haven’t included that you think are important. Sometimes, if they can not answer a question right away or have run out of time, they will offer to research the answer and respond to you next week.
At the end the person leading it will summarise the topic and close with another prayer.
Saturday 5 PM
AYS (Adventist Youth Service)
This programme is geared for the youth of the church and so the format varies from week to week. After a song service in which everyone sings choruses there will be a prayer and sometimes a children’s story. Then the main programme will begin it may be a play, children’s musical, mini concert, discussion on youth topics/concerns or a talk by someone who has done something interesting. For example recently a young person went abroad as a volunteer and took a programme telling us all about their experiences; once or twice a year the children may take a programme that is a musical or there may be a quiz with the elders competing against the children.
At the end of the programme there will be a song and a closing prayer. You will notice that many people don’t rush to leave afterwards. It is usual for people to stay around and talk with each other for awhile because church is about friendships as well as worship.
Wednesday 12.30 PM and 7:30 PM
Prayer Meeting
This meeting will begin with the singing of hymns and a prayer and then the speaker will give a short talk on a topic. This will be followed by everyone breaking into groups of two and three and praying or by people volunteering to pray. This is sometimes called a “season of prayer”. Usually people kneel for prayer if they are able but this is not compulsory. If you wish to be prayed for you can let them know before they begin to pray (they will ask if anyone knows of anyone they think we should pray for or who wants to be prayed for) or you can tell the leader before it starts. You can also email us and we will ask them to pray for you.
Sometimes they will ask if anyone wants to share what God has done for them, or how he has helped them. This is called a “testimony”. You can read some of the testimonies people have given on the site here. Other people like to hear them because it encourages them especially when they may be having problems too and it also gives an opportunity to thank God for what He has done for us.
At the end of the prayer session they will stand to sing a hymn and have a closing prayer. Sometimes the closing prayer may be a sentence prayer. This is where everyone may hold hands and each person just says a sentence of thanks to or makes a request of God. If you don’t want to say anything just tug the hand of the next person and they will continue as they will then realise that they shouldn’t wait for you first.
If you would like to come to a prayer meeting in the day that is smaller and cosier there is a lunchtime one at 12.30. You are welcome to attend whichever you prefer or both if you like. Different people will be at each and they will be led by different people.
Worried about what to wear or how to act?
Of course the only really way to know what it is like is to come. We do not exclude people on the grounds of their dress although members are usually modestly dressed and tidy. Most women wear dresses or skirts but many also wear trousers. Most men wear suits or trousers and a
Thinking about visiting us at church or just want to know what goes on inside? Then this guide is for you.
Check below to see what to expect at any of our services and feel free to come along and join in!
This guide covers the following services:
Sabbath School
Divine service
Bible Study
Adventist Youth Service
Prayer Meeting
Our main day of worship is Saturday because God wrote that we should rest and keep it “holy” since He had rested on it after making the world. (Exodus 20:8 -11) We have four different types of service on Saturdays.
Saturday Morning 9.30 to 11 AM
Sabbath School
This is the time when everyone gets together to discuss a Bible Topic. It’s a different topic each week and you’ll notice that after the preliminaries (some hymn singing, a prayer and an introduction) the congregation will be invited to break up into groups or classes.
You will see people clustering into groups that are small enough to allow everyone to join in and a facilitator or teacher will stand at the front to stimulate the debate and ensure everyone gets to have their say. They may also clarify points or issues. You are welcome to give your views and ask as many questions as you like and the whole class will try to answer or respond.
The topics are organised in advance and you may notice that people have a small book with them in it. This book contains all the weekly topics and some supporting Bible texts, questions and readings. In this way everyone can be equally prepared to discuss the topic. The book is called a “quarterly”, simply because it contains all the Bible topics for a quarter of the year, or a lesson book.
At the end of the class the teacher will thank everyone and there will be some closing remarks, a mission story, hymn, and prayer from the front. Sometimes there will also be a “special item” that is a song, piece of music or poem by an individual or group.
The mission story will simply be a story about how someone came to learn about Jesus in another part of the world. After the story there will be a collection to ensure that the church can help more people in other parts of the world learn about Jesus. Whenever offerings are collected afterwards there tends to be a signal for the congregation to stand and a short prayer is said to ask God to help the offering to be used wisely. Remember all offerings are voluntary, it is up to you whether you wish to give or how much, and there will be another opportunity to give in the main service.
In some churches sometimes an envelope may be passed around the members and they may put money in it. You don’t have to do this as they are collecting money to help pay for the quarterlies so that they can issue them free each quarter. However in our church individuals order and pay for their quarterlies themselves unless they are elderly, in need of assistance or children.
At some point during the morning there will be a visitors welcome. In fact on entering the church you may have been invited to sign the visitor’s book. During the visitors welcome you may be asked to stand or your name may be read out from the book for a more personal welcome. Sometimes they may give out small tokens to visitors such as bookmarks, booklets etc. The aim is to make you feel welcome and ensure that members can see who you are so they can add their own personal welcome later.
At the end of the Sabbath School there is a short break to give people time to go to the toilet or collect their children from the children’s classes in the hall. (The children have their own classes arranged by age group with songs, stories and activities around a Bible story or moral. The classes have several teachers and you can sit with your child if you wish.) During this break announcements regarding coming events or meetings will be read and the church will fill up. Sometimes people sit quietly during the break but most often there is singing led by a singing group or individual from the front. The words of the song may be on a screen at the front so that you can join in. You are welcome to stay for the next part of the morning service too.
Saturday 11.30 – 1 PM
Divine Service
Divine service is when the sermon for the day occurs. It is a quiet service with no breaks and there is an area at the back of the church for mothers with small children so they can watch and listen without having to worry about their babies making too much noise.
You will see those taking part go onto the platform while everyone stands. They will kneel for a moment for silent prayer before they rise and one of them will begin the introduction to the service. The people on the platform will be introduced and there will be a hymn, prayer, Bible reading, and visitors welcome. In general people stand for hymns but may kneel, sit or stand for prayers depending on their health and the part of the service.
There will be a children’s story and all the children will go to the front to listen to it and then return to their seats then the offering will be collected. This is another voluntary offering and the money collected is used to fund the local church and pay its operating expenses.
After another hymn the speaker will stand to deliver the sermon. This will be a talk on a Bible topic or story that should provide us with insight into how we should live to be more like Jesus. Then after another hymn and prayer the service will end and the people on the platform will leave through the church while everyone stands. They will go to the door so that they can say hello and shake everyone’s hand as they leave.
After the service lunch may be served in the hall, you will either hear it being announced or smell it! This is free and open to everyone.
Saturday 4 PM
Bible Study
This is open to everyone (like all of our services) and the person leading it will go through the Bible to share as many references as they can in order to fully cover a topic after a short prayer. Bible Studies are usually led by the leaders of the church, for example the Pastor or an elder.
The Bible, and what is says is very important to Adventists and so you may notice that many people there will have a Bible with them and will be encouraged to find and read the Bible references for themselves. If you do not have a Bible or find it difficult to find all the references don’t be afraid to ask the person next to you to find them for you or if you can share their Bible.
There will be questions and some discussion, so it is a little like the Sabbath School in that way but the topics are dealt with more thoroughly and the person leading it is expected to explain and defend their views using the Bible as a reference. We believe that it is only by praying, studying the Bible and discussing openly that we can grow in our understanding of how God wants us to live.
So feel free to ask your questions and let them know if you don’t understand something or if you are aware of other Bible references that they haven’t included that you think are important. Sometimes, if they can not answer a question right away or have run out of time, they will offer to research the answer and respond to you next week.
At the end the person leading it will summarise the topic and close with another prayer.
Saturday 5 PM
AYS (Adventist Youth Service)
This programme is geared for the youth of the church and so the format varies from week to week. After a song service in which everyone sings choruses there will be a prayer and sometimes a children’s story. Then the main programme will begin it may be a play, children’s musical, mini concert, discussion on youth topics/concerns or a talk by someone who has done something interesting. For example recently a young person went abroad as a volunteer and took a programme telling us all about their experiences; once or twice a year the children may take a programme that is a musical or there may be a quiz with the elders competing against the children.
At the end of the programme there will be a song and a closing prayer. You will notice that many people don’t rush to leave afterwards. It is usual for people to stay around and talk with each other for awhile because church is about friendships as well as worship.
Wednesday 12.30 PM and 7:30 PM
Prayer Meeting
This meeting will begin with the singing of hymns and a prayer and then the speaker will give a short talk on a topic. This will be followed by everyone breaking into groups of two and three and praying or by people volunteering to pray. This is sometimes called a “season of prayer”. Usually people kneel for prayer if they are able but this is not compulsory. If you wish to be prayed for you can let them know before they begin to pray (they will ask if anyone knows of anyone they think we should pray for or who wants to be prayed for) or you can tell the leader before it starts. You can also email us and we will ask them to pray for you.
Sometimes they will ask if anyone wants to share what God has done for them, or how he has helped them. This is called a “testimony”. You can read some of the testimonies people have given on the site here. Other people like to hear them because it encourages them especially when they may be having problems too and it also gives an opportunity to thank God for what He has done for us.
At the end of the prayer session they will stand to sing a hymn and have a closing prayer. Sometimes the closing prayer may be a sentence prayer. This is where everyone may hold hands and each person just says a sentence of thanks to or makes a request of God. If you don’t want to say anything just tug the hand of the next person and they will continue as they will then realise that they shouldn’t wait for you first.
If you would like to come to a prayer meeting in the day that is smaller and cosier there is a lunchtime one at 12.30. You are welcome to attend whichever you prefer or both if you like. Different people will be at each and they will be led by different people.
Worried about what to wear or how to act?
Of course the only really way to know what it is like is to come. We do not exclude people on the grounds of their dress although members are usually modestly dressed and tidy. Most women wear dresses or skirts but many also wear trousers. Most men wear suits or trousers and a