We hope our website has answers to many questions about what we believe and what happens in the life of Bethel Church Nelson.
Here are answers to some questions about our services. But if your question is not there, feel free to Contact Us
Here are answers to some questions about our services. But if your question is not there, feel free to Contact Us
WHEN ARE THE SUNDAY SERVICES?
On most Sundays, the services are at 11 am and 6 pm. For Sundays when this is different for any of our services it will be announced in church in previous weeks and our website.
On most Sundays, the services are at 11 am and 6 pm. For Sundays when this is different for any of our services it will be announced in church in previous weeks and our website.
HOW LONG ARE THE SUNDAY SERVICES?
About 1h – 1h 20mins.
About 1h – 1h 20mins.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?
Usually, a member of the church will be near the main door in the foyer area to welcome you and answer any questions you might have about where things are. There are two doors from the foyer into the chapel (where the service takes place).
Usually, a member of the church will be near the main door in the foyer area to welcome you and answer any questions you might have about where things are. There are two doors from the foyer into the chapel (where the service takes place).
WHERE DO I SIT?
You can sit anywhere. All of the seating downstairs are comfortable chairs. Upstairs there are pews.
You can sit anywhere. All of the seating downstairs are comfortable chairs. Upstairs there are pews.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO IN A SUNDAY SERVICE?
The first thing to say is that after choosing where you would like to sit, you don’t have to do anything. We want everyone to be comfortable, especially those who are not used to going to church services.
The first thing to say is that after choosing where you would like to sit, you don’t have to do anything. We want everyone to be comfortable, especially those who are not used to going to church services.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A SUNDAY SERVICE?
The service is led from the front by the Pastor or visiting preacher. Usually, notices are read first and then the Pastor will introduce the hymns and songs, pray, read from the Bible and preach the sermon. Everyone in the congregation usually stands to sing the hymns and songs and sits for everything else in the service.
The service is led from the front by the Pastor or visiting preacher. Usually, notices are read first and then the Pastor will introduce the hymns and songs, pray, read from the Bible and preach the sermon. Everyone in the congregation usually stands to sing the hymns and songs and sits for everything else in the service.
WHICH BIBLE TRANSLATION IS USED IN A SUNDAY SERVICE?
The readings from the Bible are usually read from a highly popular translation called the New International Version (NIV)
The readings from the Bible are usually read from a highly popular translation called the New International Version (NIV)
HOW MANY AND WHAT TYPES OF HYMNS AND SONGS ARE SUNG?
There will usually be four hymns. Some could be 21st-century hymns. Others could be perennial classics. Singing is accompanied by the piano/organ. The words of the hymns are projected on a screen at the front.
There will usually be four hymns. Some could be 21st-century hymns. Others could be perennial classics. Singing is accompanied by the piano/organ. The words of the hymns are projected on a screen at the front.
HOW LONG IS THE SERMON?
The sermon is as long as it needs to be - usually about 30 minutes. The service is usually livestreamed via YouTube so sermons can be accessed straight after the service.
The sermon is as long as it needs to be - usually about 30 minutes. The service is usually livestreamed via YouTube so sermons can be accessed straight after the service.
IS THERE A SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR MY CHILDREN?
After the first part of the morning service (about 15 mins), children aged 3-11 are welcome to go through to the back of the church, to the Vestry across from the church, for Sunday Adventure Club. A parent or guardian does not need to stay for the service. Parents can drop off their children and pick them up after the service. We hope older children and those in senior school will be engaged by the entire service.
After the first part of the morning service (about 15 mins), children aged 3-11 are welcome to go through to the back of the church, to the Vestry across from the church, for Sunday Adventure Club. A parent or guardian does not need to stay for the service. Parents can drop off their children and pick them up after the service. We hope older children and those in senior school will be engaged by the entire service.
MY CHILDREN ARE SHY. IS IT OK FOR THEM TO STAY WITH ME IN THE SERVICE?
All children are welcome to stay for the service.
All children are welcome to stay for the service.
WHAT IS THE OFFERING?
God has given us every good gift. As an expression of worship to God (how we live before God) we have an opportunity to give back to God something of what He has entrusted to us.
At the back of the chapel, we have secure boxes by each exit where we have the opportunity to give.
There is no obligation or pressure at all for visitors to give anything.
God has given us every good gift. As an expression of worship to God (how we live before God) we have an opportunity to give back to God something of what He has entrusted to us.
At the back of the chapel, we have secure boxes by each exit where we have the opportunity to give.
There is no obligation or pressure at all for visitors to give anything.
WHAT IS THE OFFERING MONEY USED FOR?
Broadly speaking, some of the offerings are used to fund the running costs of keeping the buildings and facilities. Some is used to pay the Pastor who is employed by Bethel Nelson to serve the people of the church and the wider local community. A proportion goes towards supporting missionaries who are supported by Bethel Church, and some are used to fund events held on the premises and in the local community. Bethel Nelson is an independent church and a registered charity so how the church spends any money received is fully audited each year.
Broadly speaking, some of the offerings are used to fund the running costs of keeping the buildings and facilities. Some is used to pay the Pastor who is employed by Bethel Nelson to serve the people of the church and the wider local community. A proportion goes towards supporting missionaries who are supported by Bethel Church, and some are used to fund events held on the premises and in the local community. Bethel Nelson is an independent church and a registered charity so how the church spends any money received is fully audited each year.
DO WE HAVE A CHILD PROTECTION POLICY?
All our Sunday school teachers and helpers are DBS checked (previously this was known as a CRB check). We operate a Safeguarding policy that covers children and vulnerable adults. A copy of the full safeguarding policy and procedures is available if required.
All our Sunday school teachers and helpers are DBS checked (previously this was known as a CRB check). We operate a Safeguarding policy that covers children and vulnerable adults. A copy of the full safeguarding policy and procedures is available if required.
IS THERE WHEELCHAIR ACCESS?
There is a step-free path that runs from the road outside the church to the main doors of both the Church building and the Vestry.
There is a step-free path that runs from the road outside the church to the main doors of both the Church building and the Vestry.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SERVICE?
An important part of our meeting together on a Sunday is the time we can spend together after the service to chat over a cup of tea or coffee. It’s also an opportunity to discuss the sermon and explore any questions.
An important part of our meeting together on a Sunday is the time we can spend together after the service to chat over a cup of tea or coffee. It’s also an opportunity to discuss the sermon and explore any questions.
WHAT IS "COMMUNION"?
Often also called the Lord's Supper. We remember Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, as he taught His disciples to. Jesus used bread and the cup at the meal he was having with his disciples to help us remember in a visual way that he gave his body and blood, his life, as a sacrifice for everyone who turns away from their sin, and toward Him, and puts their trust in Him.
Often also called the Lord's Supper. We remember Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, as he taught His disciples to. Jesus used bread and the cup at the meal he was having with his disciples to help us remember in a visual way that he gave his body and blood, his life, as a sacrifice for everyone who turns away from their sin, and toward Him, and puts their trust in Him.
HOW OFTEN IS COMMUNION?
Communion is generally included as part of the morning service on the 1st Sunday of the month.
Communion is generally included as part of the morning service on the 1st Sunday of the month.
WHAT HAPPENS AT COMMUNION?
Communion normally takes place at the end of the service after the sermon. This is usually led by the Pastor who will first remind us of what communion is about and read a passage from the Bible about what we are about to remember. Two stewards, usually the Deacons, will distribute the bread and the wine (this is normally grape juice) to any in the congregation who can partake of it. The Pastor will give thanks to Jesus for the bread representing His body, and for the cup representing His blood. The congregation will eat the bread and drink the wine together as a sign of the congregation being united in Jesus.
Communion normally takes place at the end of the service after the sermon. This is usually led by the Pastor who will first remind us of what communion is about and read a passage from the Bible about what we are about to remember. Two stewards, usually the Deacons, will distribute the bread and the wine (this is normally grape juice) to any in the congregation who can partake of it. The Pastor will give thanks to Jesus for the bread representing His body, and for the cup representing His blood. The congregation will eat the bread and drink the wine together as a sign of the congregation being united in Jesus.
WHO CAN TAKE COMMUNION?
All who have received salvation by grace (salvation is God’s free gift) through faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, and are in a right relationship with God are invited to take part in the communion services. All who are not in a position to take part are welcome to stay and reflect.
All who have received salvation by grace (salvation is God’s free gift) through faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, and are in a right relationship with God are invited to take part in the communion services. All who are not in a position to take part are welcome to stay and reflect.
