Everyone is most welcome at Grovedale. We’d love for you to visit with us, but we understand it’s normal to be a little anxious visiting somewhere for the first time, so here’s some information that may help.

Our main worship place is St Paul's Grovedale, and we have a service every Sunday at 9.30am. Please enter through the gates in Heyer's Road. There are also services at St David's Freshwater Creek (on the Anglesea Road).

God is active during our gatherings. He calls us into his presence; he declares our sins forgiven; he speaks his word into our lives; he feeds us at his table through Holy Communion; and he sends us into the world to love him and our neighbours. We gather to receive from God so that we can grow in him and give our lives in service to others.

What can you expect?

As you arrive at one of our locations you’ll be welcomed at the door by a greeter. They will gladly answer any questions you may have and offer you our weekly church bulletin.

You are invited to take a seat just before the service starts. Please sit anywhere you feel comfortable. We have a crying room at the rear where people with young children can sit and still hear the service while the children play with the toys there. You can move to the crying room at any time.

The service order will be displayed by the overhead projector. The parts where the congregation is invited to respond are in bold print. This is generally spoken but may sometimes be sung. All the songs and hymns are also displayed on the overhead projector. Please do not be concerned if you do not know the songs or sung responses. There is no obligation to join in; just relax and enjoy the singing.

Holy Communion

We usually celebrate Holy Communion in every service, except for occasional lay reading services when we do not have a pastor. We welcome all who have been baptised and believe in Jesus Christ to take part in Holy Communion. Young children and anyone else who does not wish to receive Holy Communion are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. Just fold your hands across your chest when you come forward.

The communion assistants and the pastor will have communion first, then followed by the rest of the congregation in a continuous manner. The ushers will indicate when it is your turn to come forward. You can either drink from the main cup directly or intinct (partially dip) the wafer bread into the smaller intinction cup. Gluten-free wafers are available. Please indicate your preference to the assistants.

Children

Children are precious gifts from God and encouraged to participate in all of our gatherings: singing, listening to Bible stories, receiving a blessing. We also provide activity sheets and pencil cases that you can collect as you enter.

School-aged children attending our service are invited to Sunday school during the service at around 10.00am. Sunday school lasts about an hour. It is held in the community hall adjacent to the church. This is the same hall we have morning tea in after the service, so you can pick up your children as you have a cuppa. Alternatively, your children are also welcome to stay for the entirety of the service.

Offering

An offering is taken up each service and is the main way we fund our pastor and church mission activities. Please do not feel obliged to make an offering if you are not willing or able to. Many people provide their offering by electronic banking so it is not unusual to pass the plate without contributing.

Prayer requests

There are prayer request cards available on the back of the pews. You are welcome to complete the card and put it in the offering bowl for the general prayers in the service.

After the service

Everyone is invited to morning tea after the service in the adjacent community hall. You can stay as long or as little as you want. One or more of our members will introduce themselves to any visitors and make sure they feel welcome.