What to Expect?

We meet for our worship services and other activities at 33 Pine Street, Gympie. Upon entering the main door, you will be at the back of the auditorium. Typically, someone will be there to greet you before services.

We are a friendly church. Every effort is made to allow visitors to feel comfortable. Since many of our members were at one time visitors themselves, we know how it feels on a first visit. We aim to treat others the way we want to be treated, in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:12). Visitors are welcome to attend any of our assemblies and activities. We have no designated seating – feel free to sit wherever you please, or you can ask to be directed to a seat if you prefer.

Our Worship

The Preaching

The Lord's Supper

Singing

Giving

Prayer

We observe the Lord’s Supper each and every first day of the week, just as they did in the New Testament church in accordance with the Apostle's teachings (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7). This consists of two elements – the bread (which represents the Lord’s body) and the fruit of the vine (which represents His blood) (Luke 22:4-20). It is the highlight of the week to commemorate Christ’s death and celebrate His promised return (1 Corinthians 11:26). In this way, the Lord's Supper represents to us the central hope of the Christian faith, and a commemoration of the central saving act of God: the crucifixion of His incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. The Lord's Supper is to be taken in communion with the rest of the saints (1 Cor. 11:33).

The apostle Paul exhorts the evangelist to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” (2 Tim 4:2). The first sermon of the Christian era was preached by the Apostle Peter in Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost – the first day of the week. In response to this sermon, the saints “were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42). In Acts 20:7, we see the early church continuing this practice. After the pattern of the Apostles, our sermons are always centered on Scripture and typically an invitation is offered for those who desire to respond to the message.

The whole congregation sings a capella. In other words, we sing as a community without the accompaniment of mechanical instruments of music. The New Testament tells us that we are to sing and make melody in our heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Nowhere in the New Testament does it refer to the early church using instruments in their worship. It is well known that the apostolic and early Christian church did not sing with accompaniment. To be consistent with our plea to restore New Testament worship, we also worship God only with the instrument of our heart.

In keeping with the New Testament pattern, we give as we have prospered on the first day of every week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Therefore, each Sunday morning a plate is passed around to take up the collection. We give of our means for the spreading of the Gospel, and caring for those in need. Whether or not you participate is entirely up to you, and as our guest, you are not expected to make a donation. Christians are not commanded to give a tithe but are commanded to give as we have prospered. Therefore, what we give is a decision we make between us and God, and our giving must be done cheerfully (2 Cor. 9;7). Visitors are not expected to feel obliged to give; this is for the members of the congregation.

Prayers offered to God are to be a part of our public worship as well as our private daily devotions. There are numerous examples and precepts concerning prayer in the New Testament (1 Timothy 2:1,2,8; Philippians 4:6, etc.). In our prayers to God we give thanks and praise His name. We also pray for our needs and for the needs of others. Jesus Christ is our mediator and high priest. Therefore, our prayers must be addressed to the Father in the name of Jesus (John 16:23; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 2:1,2). Our worship service will include several prayers led by various men (1 Timothy 2:1-8).