Home Groups Weekly Cell groups are at the core of the life of our church family. We have the aim of providing a firm foundation of relationships upon which the Church can grow. Cell groups are our first place of Church care and we encourage every member and regular attendees of our Church to be committed to one of these groups. Cell groups priorities are Fellowship, Worship, God's Word and Personal Prayer. The format usually takes the form of Bible study and discussion, personal prayer and supper, though this may vary from group to group. We also aim to meet together sometimes for meals as home groups, inviting any others in the church who may wish to join in. Cell group is a vital part of the life of our Church and everyone in the Church family is encouraged to join one. For more information please: Contact the Pastor Stan Fetting or church office.
Worship services Our Sunday worship at 9.00 am is a Family time for both celebration and quiet contemplation. We celebrate God and the relationship we have with Him, while at the same time recognise the need to be still and draw near to Him in peace. This service is followed by morning tea in the hall. Our evening services are held every Sunday night at 6.00 PM and is focussed more towards youth & young adults but is inclusive of everyone. Other groups meet for special events. Some groups such as the Youth and Young Adults meet after the service for supper. Our aim is for our worship to be contemporary in style with messages that reach the real needs of people today. We desire greatly to see God at work in our worship so that people's lives are changed for the better.
Kid's Time is provided for older preschoolers and primary school-aged children on Sunday mornings. Children learn about Gods love for them through songs, stories, Scripture and hands-on activities. Kids' Time is held in the youth centre from about 9.30 am each Sunday during the school term. Supervised crèche is provided during the morning service for parents, and children under Kids' Time age. Various activities are available for the children to participate in if they wish to, or they can play with the toys and cubby house. The Worship Service is broadcast into the crèche area for your convenience.
Special Services During the year we have a number of special services, some being worship, others outreach. Brigade parades are held three times a year with the Girl's and Boy's Brigades being invited to join with their parents in a special service designed to convey the reality of Jesus to those who might not normally go to Church. At Christmas a special outreach service is held on Christmas morning.
Our annual Christmas Carols Concert is held in conjunction with the Pine Rivers Shire Council and the Eatons Hill State School.
Music and the Arts Worship of God our Creator is an absolute priority for us as a Church and therefore we see music and the arts such as drama and dance as a vital aspect of our service because it is a medium for worship. We aim to cover the music tastes of current day people and plan times of celebration as well as quiet contemplation.
Playgroup Playroup is for any one who has children from birth to 5 years old. It is a great way to meet other Mums in your community. We meet on a Wednesday and a Friday from 9.30 - 11.00 during school terms. Please bring your childs morning tea and we have a roster system in place for parents/careres to bring morning tea for the adults. We have a great programme which includes free play, craft and singing. Cost is $2 weekly and a $15 annual membership fee. Please come along and make some new friend
Girls Brigade Girls Brigade caters for the whole person - providing a balanced programme with varied activities to develop the Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual and Social areas of life. Girls Brigade caters for girls from Grade One through to 20 years of age - in the following age groupings: CADET UNIT - GRADES 1-3, JUNIORS - GRADES 4-6, SENIORS - GRADES 7 & 8, PIONEERS - GRADE 9 upwards
Our programme encourages girls to develop their LEADERSHIP potential. SOME TYPICAL ACTIVITIES could include HIKING, CAMPING, BIBLE STUDIES, CRAFT (various), PETS, ENVIRONMENT, DRAMA, SINGING, GAMES, SWIMMING, CANOEING, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, COOKERY, and many, more!
Girls may also participate in THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD SCHEME through the local Brigade Company. The Third Pine Rivers Girls' Brigade Company meets at South Pine Community Church on Friday evenings from 5.30-7:00.
Boy's Brigade The Boys Brigade programme is designed to direct the natural energy and enthusiasm of Boys, into interesting challenging and creative activities. If you can take advantage of all the opportunities offered by Boys Brigade you will go camping and bush walking, learn First-Aid and safety skills, participate in many different activities including gymnastics and sports, or maybe even try your hand at abseiling, canoeing or caving! You might play in a band, attend an international camp, organise activities and events for other members or discover new confidence through leadership courses and practical leadership experience. In the Boys Brigade you will be able to be all that you can be.
Boys Brigade strives to provide Boys and Young Men with a balanced program of sports, camping, spiritual input, craft, gymnastics, awards and social activities. It is held every Friday night from 5.30 PM to 7.00 PM. Ages catered for are from 6-18. Other times are arranged for various activities.
South Pine Craft A great opportunity to get togeether with a wonderful group, whether you wish to work on your own projects or join us to try something new. We'd also love you to share your ideas with us, and even take a turn at teaching if you would like to! We meet on Thurdays from 9.30 - 11.30 during school terms. Come and craft with us and have a chat. Morning tea is provided. Weekly cost $3 and childcare is available at an additional cost of $2 per child. Craft projects vary in cost depending on materials.
Religious Education in Schools Religious Education is held during the week at the local schools. R.E. is non - denominational with the RE teachers having a good history of working together in unity. RE teachers are drawn from the members and friends of the Church and enquires to serve in this area are welcome.
Chaplaincy in Albany Creek State High. Our concern for our young people in this region is very real, that is why we along with the other local Churches support a part-time Chaplain from Scripture Union in the Albany Creek State High School. We support this ministry firstly through our budget and then also inviting private donations including regular Gold Coin offerings.
Introducing God iG is usually an 8 week course designed to convey the basics of the Christian faith and is ideal for people new to Christianity to grasp the basics.
Young Adults - Special social events for young adults, married or single. Camping, movies, nights out. A great way to make friends in a healthy environment.
Sporting Activities. From Tennis, to Touch Football, to Soccer the list of leisure groups is growing. We have also launched a runners, riders & walkers group. Check out http://www.striders.com.au
Public Use of our Building As a Church we desire to be involved in our community meeting needs and healing hurts. As part of our commitment to the community we make our facilities available for group and individual use. Certain guidelines are laid down and a donation is usually required to cover expenses and damages. If you wish to use the building or know of others who wish to use the building then please contact the Office Administrator who will work out the arrangements for you. Other activities that are conducted at our centre are Neighbourhood Watch, Weight Watchers and Drama Classes.
Mutual Aid Plan - Financial Help, When You Need It ! All of us from time to time are hit by expenses that we have not planned for. There are also those times when we wish to purchase something important but do not have the cash available. Well we would like to suggest to you an alternative to charity or having to "go without". It is called the Mutual Aid Plan, which was developed in order for members to help each other.
What is M.A.P. ? Quite simply M.A.P. is a fund run by the church enabling church family members to borrow money at no interest.
How does it work ? You, a member of the Mutual Aid Plan contribute $5.00 a week via a special envelope placed in the offering bag to the M.A.P. account, held by the church. This fund grows and after 3 months you may borrow from the account at no interest. You will be asked to complete a Loan Application form which will then be considered by the Administrators of the fund on an as needs basis. When your loan has been approved you will be asked to repay your loan over 12 - 24 months while continuing your weekly $5.00 contribution. The money you contribute to the fund always remains yours and should you wish to withdraw from the fund you may withdraw your total contributions less any money owing by you from outstanding loans and / or administration fees. No interest is paid to you and no interest is charged to borrowers. An administration fee of $5.00 per year is charged.
Other details of Mutual Aid Plan You may borrow any amount the fund can afford at the time as long as you can afford to repay that amount over 12 - 24 months. You must always be paid up to date in contributions in order to qualify for borrowing. You must continue to pay the $5.00 contribution as your loan is being repaid. Only M.A.P. members may borrow M.A.P. funds and you must be a regular attender of the church in order to join. All loans must be paid up in full should you move out of fellowship. Interest earned in the bank account goes to increase the overall account funds. The account is administered by two church leaders. They are the only people that are aware of who is borrowing and how much. To obtain a loan you fill out an Application for Loan form stating what the loan is for. If two borrowers were competing for the same funds then the loan would be granted on need rather than want or time in the fund. Fund limits and conditions are set by the church leadership.
Church Membership
What is Church Membership? Local Church membership is a commitment to a local body of believers where we say "this is my family, I am part of these people and they of me." Church membership forms a "Home Base" from where we go out into the world to live our lives and serve the risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
Why do we have it? As a church we recognise the truth that all who have faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour are part of the Universal Church across the world which transcends space and time. However we also see as necessary a Local Church membership which is a formal commitment to a local body of disciples of Jesus Christ. The reason being, that we all need to be part of a family, loved, cared for, accountable to. We desire that you feel part of our Church family and have the confidence to turn to us in time of need and also support us as we serve God together in meeting the needs of others.
So local church membership is a practice which we believe to be biblically based and beneficial to the life of the Church and it's people. There are also legal requirements for an organisation such as a Church and membership gives protection for the future and direction of the Church. For example, no-one could just walk in off the street and vote on an important issue unless they were members.
What is Membership based on ? Church membership is based on the covenant relationship that God has with us, where He has committed himself to us. Membership is a covenant between Christian brothers and sisters to be committed to each other in love, a reflection of the committed love of God to us.
What are our requirements for Membership ? The requirements for our Church membership are simply as follows; a) A personal commitment to and relationship with Jesus Christ. b) Normally baptism by immersion as a believer, although we have an open membership policy which means that if you have i.e. been christened it is accepted as an alternative means of expression of faith. c) A commitment to the people and life of this Church family. d) An acceptance of the Membership covenant the Church constitution (copies are available from the Church office).
How do I apply for Membership? Application for Church membership is as follows. a) Fill out the application form available from the Church office and give it to the Pastor or an Elder. b) We will pop in and see you ASAP to discuss and clarify any issue which you may which to discuss and then the application is put before the Church Elders. We then welcome you formally into membership at the next appropriate Communion service.
Church Leadership Structure The Church leadership consists of two main groups. One group is the Pastor and Elders who exercise Spiritual oversight over the whole Church and all ministries. The second group is the Board of Administration, consisting of the Chair, Administrator, Treasurer, Elders Rep, Office Manager, other portfolio deacons and the Senior Pastor. All leaders of the Church are appointed by the Elders and ratified by the church members at a members meeting. The appointment of Elders is brought before the Church for approval and confirmation. We also have annual members meetings and special members meetings as necessary.
The role of all leadership is to lead, guide, care for and train all those associated with the Church, and to be an example to them of Christ-likeness.
Our Church Finances
General Offerings and Tithes. The ministry of our church is financed from the regular and committed giving of it's members and some fundraising for special purposes. Our Church teaches the Biblical practice of tithing (10%) our income as a token of our life commitment to Jesus Christ and His ministry, recognising however that all giving must be from a cheerful heart or not at all. Our offering is both a Commitment and a Free-will giving that the members of our Church Family make each week to the work of God through this local Church. This is NOT a requirement of membership, but a biblical practice we believe in and encourage as a step of maturity. For God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7)
Fund Raising. Fundraising is a valuable opportunity for those with little resources, eg., pensioners, unemployed, low income earners, students, those married to the unchurched, to make a valuable contribution in the area of giving. Fundraising is where you can use the talents and skills that God has given to you to raise money for his service. This is exactly the same as someone who goes out to work and who then gives a percentage of their income to serve the Lord.
Building Fund. Some time ago our church family decided to take a step of faith and buy the land we now enjoy on Eaton's Crossing Rd. The next step was to build a building that the various ministries of the Church could use along with the community. While we enjoy these facilities today we still have a commitment to repay loans we have taken from the Baptist Union. Each year we invite the Church members to consider financial support for this need above and beyond our normal tithes and offerings. We do this on a day each year which we call Consecration Sunday. Your support for the development of ministry through our facilities is of course welcome at any time and we invite you to weekly use the offering envelopes provided in the foyer.
Special Donations. Special offering envelopes are provided in the foyer for you to use should there be a special gift that you wish to make to someone in the life of our Church (or on distant mission). Simply place your gift in a special offering envelope, mark who you wish it to be given to and the Treasurer will ensure that it is given to the person or ministry you designate. This can then be your anonymous gift to the praise of God. (Matthew 6:3 NIV) But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
Chaplaincy Donations: On the first Sunday morning of each month a "Gold Coin Offering" is taken for the support of the Chaplaincy Outreach Program in Albany Creek High School. Chaplaincy is fully funded by local Church support and personal contributions. We need your support and invite you to give to this outreach to our community through the envelope provided. All donations over $2 are tax deductible but you will need to request a receipt if you require one
