“I’m new here.”
Welcome, we are so glad you stopped by.
Welcome
(St John’s:
WHAT TO EXPECT
We understand that coming to church for the first time can sometimes be a daunting experience, because there are so many unknowns. So here’s some information which might just make it a bit easier, and less mysterious.
We’re blessed with lots of parking around our church on a Sunday, so it’s really easy to find a park or to walk the five minutes from Sutherland Station. When you arrive you’ll be welcomed in the foyer by a member of our welcome team and offered a name tag and any resources you might need for the service. For example, we use prayer books at our 8 am service (only).
All our services begin with welcome and a time of singing. In addition to this we always read the bible, have a short talk for 20-25 minutes where the preacher will help us understand what we’ve read and how this shapes our lives.
Please be assured that you will not be asked to read, sing, say or participate in any part of the service, unless you feel comfortable doing so.
Christianity - what’s it all about?
The message at the heart of Christianity is a message from the Bible about God and his son, Jesus. It is about life and death, and the choice that we all face.
Sunday Service Times
All our services seek to help people connect to Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, grow in their love for him as his disciples,
and equip them to serve him in every area of life. Each of our services are aimed to achieve this through a
distinct service style, which are explained in more detail below.
8 am Sunday
We enjoy a prayer book service each week, with the 4th Sunday of the month sharing in the Lord’s Supper together. On the 5th Sunday of the month we hold a Morning Prayer service. There is a genuine warmth of friendship and fellowship amongst our congregation members. On the 1st Sunday of the month we also enjoy 'Tea N Toast' together after the service.
10 am Sunday
A down-to-earth service of 60-70 adults and 20-25 children and teenagers of all ages and walks of life and cultures, no matter your situation in life, you’ll feel right at home.
The service has great music and contemporary songs, bible teaching applied to everyday life, times of prayer and reflection, all presented in an easy to follow multimedia format (which is also live-streamed). The service is followed by morning tea, which is a great time for building relationships. On the 1st Sunday of the month we have lunch together in the hall - all are very welcome.
During the service children are welcome to join in the fun at Sparklers (preschool-Year 2), Bonfire (Years 2-5) and Surge (Years 6-10). There is also a family room inside the church for parents with younger children, where the service can easily be viewed and the audio available over the PA system.
5 PM Sunday
Donald Robinson Village, Kirrawee
Sunday@5 church is all about relationships, with God and with one another. While recognisably “Anglican”, it is also very welcoming of people from all denominations and backgrounds. There is a high level of involvement from the DRV community, with an intention to connect out in to the local and global community with the love of Jesus. Visitors are welcome, under COVID guidelines.
Coordinators: Rev. John Reed and Faye Hillier, DRV Chaplains
6 pm Sunday
Our 6 pm service has between 30 – 40 adults who gather to encourage one another each Sunday, with great music and contemporary songs, an engaging bible talk, and times of prayer. One of the best-kept secrets of St John’s is the fabulous supper that takes place regularly within this service, which provides an enjoyable and relaxed space to get to know each other better and catch up on each other’s lives. On the 1st Sunday of the month, we skip supper and enjoy dinner together in the hall following the service, where people often stay on to chat and pray. Our service is finished by 7.30 pm so that workers & uni students can be home early.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to church?
St John’s is a welcoming community, we are focused on getting to know each other and supporting you on where you’re at. So come dressed in whatever makes you feel comfortable, this may be casual clothing or a nice shirt, we won’t mind. Let you be you!
Most people dress casually for all services and jeans and t-shirt are completely appropriate.
Do I need to bring a bible?
Reading the bible is an important part of our church life together. In our church services, the English NIV 2011 Bible bible is read aloud and displayed (on the projector screen). There are English NIV 2011 bibles for you to borrow during church services, found in the church foyer before you enter the main auditorium, please help yourself. We encourage our regular members to bring their own bible to church. If you have your own please feel free (and comfortable) to bring it along. Come and read the word of God with us, whether that be by listening, reading along or bringing your own copy.
What about my kids?
St John’s has a wonderful community with many families.
On a Sunday our 10 am service seeks to cater for preschool-Year 10 aged children. We have programs for each of these age groups called Sparklers (preschoolers-Year 2), Bonfire (Years 2-5), and Surge (Years 6-10). Our children and youth program leaders all have a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) and have all completed the Safe Ministry accreditation training required by the Sydney Anglican Diocese of Sydney.
We also offer a family room for parents with infants, which has an assortment of toys and lounges and has the service audio made available over the PA system and large windows through to the auditorium.
What should I expect if I come to a Sunday service?
We understand that coming to church for the first time, or even just coming to a new church can be a daunting experience. At St John’s we will endeavour to make your time with us comfortable. On any given Sunday there is always someone to welcome you at the door and point you in the right direction. Throughout the service we sing praise to God, read the bible and hear a talk based on what we have read. We also hear about what is happening in our church community and pray about local and worldwide happenings. Throughout the service we stand, sit and talk but it is all centered on being a community that glorifies God. We care for and support each other in all that we do, so feel free to participate in what you want and ask questions about things you may not understand. We are all in this together.
How is your church financed? Will you ask me for money?
St John’s is apart of the Sydney Anglican Diocese (the wider Anglican church) but we do not receive funding from them to operate. Everything we do and everyone we employ (church staff) is supported and funded via the giving of church members. St John’s sometimes applies for and receives community grants. The money received from these grants is used for specific purposes that benefit the community of Sutherland. If you’re a guest at St John’s we do not expect you to give any money, just come and be a part of our community.
We take a collection in each service but don’t expect those visiting with us, or checking out Christianity, to contribute.
How accessible is your church for those with limited ability or a disability?
St John’s is continually finding ways to cater for those with limited mobility or disability. Here are some of the ways we currently cater to those needs:
- Easy access seating (which is movable).
- Main building entry with an accessible ramp and a portable accessibility ramp for all other buildings.
- Large print song books and bibles.
- Hearing (telecoil) loop.
If you have a question or suggestion please feel free to contact our church office.