Thank you for taking the time to have a look at our church and what we do. We know that coming to a new church for the first time can be daunting, even to the extent that it's enough to put you off. So what we've done is to try and make the experience a little less intimidating and foreign by setting out some of the practicalities of "church". We hope you find it helpful.
There is two blocks of information below. The first from 'Parking' to 'After the Service' refers to our worship service at our Forster Church. Details for our Coomba Park service appears as a similar block after the Forster information.
Parking directly in front of our Forster Church is a bit of an issue as we are situated on a corner block with traffic lights. If you drive into Lake St there is plenty of parking in front of the Holy Name Catholic School, and then its a short , half block walk back to the church. Or if you have trouble with walking that far, there's no issue for you to park on the grass at the front, side or rear of the church.
Due to COVID our entrance procedures have changed a little. Instead of entering church vis the main doors on the left, the will be a single door straight ahead. This will lead you intoa room we are currently using as a foyer.
If you're running late, please be brave and still come in, we'd love to see you.
The internal seating arrangement of the church changes, varying from a traditional arrangement where all the single chairs face the front, to a "worship in the round" where all the seats are set out in a circular fashion , facing a central table. Either way there are chairs "up the back" so if you want to come in and quietly sit without a heap of eyes staring at you, we can manage that.
Again, due to COVID there are no hymn books or bibles to be handed out. Depending on how the service is structured, a screen at the front of the church will be used (powerpoint etc) or you will be given papre order of service. You are free to sit anywhere in the church. We have a crying room located at the back of the church on the right hand side, if you have young children, its there for your use, but be assured it's use is determined solely by you and your needs, not our expectations.
Toilets are also situated through a door at the back right of the church. There are separate male, female and disabled amenities.
As you have probably read elsewhere our service at Forster commences at 9.00 am every Sunday. Whilst the service is more traditional than contemporary, it has a very informal feel about it. We sing hymns from the Together in Song II hymn book but we also include more contemporary songs. Music from Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, The Rend Collective is regularly used. Powerpoint and video clips are also often used. We are not blessed with a live band, so music is supplied by either an organist or pre-recorded music.
Be assured we don't make visitors stand up and introduce themselves etc, we will welcome you and ask where you are from. If you are visting from another faith community, we will offer you a peace candle to take back and share with your home congregation.
Most services go for about an hour, although our communion service which is held on the first Sunday of each month, probably goes for 15 minutes longer.
Talking of communion, the offer of participating in the Lord's meal is open to anyone "who loves the Lord and wants to love him more". This means that all who worship with us are most welcome to share bread and juice. During the communion service, instructions are given as to how you receive these elements and how we eat and drink together.
As stated we aren't using bibles at the moment so the bible readings for the day will either be on the screen out the front, or on the printed order of service. This wil be the same for the words of any hymns / songs etc.
At the time of writing this web page, our pastor leads worship three Sundays per month with either one of our worship teams, or a visiting minister conducting the remainder.
Lastly, COVID restrictions have meant that there is not a dedicated time in the service where a collection / offering is taken. Instead, a collection bowl is placed on the right hand side of the door you came into the foyer. The purpose of the collection is for those in worship to contribute in a financial sense to the upkeep of the church. This is sometimes referred to as 'the freewill offering'. It may sound like an odd term, but it's description is important, because the offering is made of your own free will. You give what you can, what you want to, it's your free will.
At the moment there is no children's ministry being offered during worship. there are activity sheets for the children to complete during worship though, and one of the regular members will ensure your children are offered these.
At the conclusion of the service, we leave through the same doors by which we entered. As you exit, you will be greeted by whoever has lead the service.
Morning tea is offered and shared each Sunday immediately following worship.
There is no obligation to stay though we'd love you to so we can get to know you better, and you us.
We'd love to keep in contact with you in the days and weeks after you have worshipped with us. As you enter worship, people will introduce themselves to you and will ask you your name etc. Please feel no pressure to divulge your whole life history, but we'd love to get your name and contact number so that we can follow up with you in the next day or so. If you prefer, there are more formal welcome cards which you can fill in and either drop into the collection plate as you leave, or hand it in to the person who is leading the service and is greeting you as you leave.
The home that we hold worship at ( on their back lawn) is accessed via the road to the Coomba Park Aquatic centre. Car parking is simply on the grass area beside the back yard.
There are no specific requirements for this worship, except bringing your own chair would be appreciated, and to wear appropriate clothing for outdoor worship.
As you have probably read elsewhere our service at Coomba Park commences at 10.30 am on those Sundays whixh are the 5th in the month. This service is more contemporary and casual than Sunday morning worship. Music is often secular with the like of The Beatles, Archie roach and Paul Kelly being played.
Being more casual both in format and structure of the outdoor space allows worship to vary quite markedly from service to service. Small group discussions are sometimes held, as is silent reflection as we gaze out over the lake.
Most service go for about an hour, and communion is not a regular, set component of this gathering.
At the time of writing this webpage, our pastor leads these services.
There is no children's ministry during this service, though worksheets are available for children to use if they so desire.
Following this service, lunch is served. You are free to bring your own, or there is usually sufficient to share. A glass or two of wine is also offered for those who like to chill out a bit on Sunday lunches.