New to Church
Coming somewhere new for the first time can feel a little daunting — especially a church, if you've never been to one before, or haven't been for a long time. We want you to know that at Bethany Evangelical Church, you will be genuinely welcomed. No pressure, no expectations, no insider knowledge required.
Whether you're exploring Christianity for the first time, returning after years away, or simply curious about what we're all about, we're glad you're considering a visit. The more you know about what to expect before you arrive, the more relaxed you can be when you get here.
Where and When
We meet every Sunday morning and evening with our services beginning at 10:30am and 6:30pm.
If it's your first visit, we'd suggest arriving around 10:15am. This gives you time to find a parking space, get through the door without any rush, and settle in before things get started.
When you arrive, you'll be met at the door by one of our Welcome Team who will be happy to show you around, answer any questions, and help you find a seat. Don't worry about knowing what to do or where to go — that's exactly what they're there for.
After the morning service, we serve tea, coffee, and biscuits and we'd love it if you stayed for a few minutes. It's a relaxed, informal time and a great opportunity to meet a few people, ask any questions that came up during the service, or simply take a moment before heading off. There's no obligation to stay, but you'll always be very welcome if you do. All refreshments are free.
Accessibility
We want everyone to feel comfortable and included at Bethany. The building has full wheelchair access throughout, and we have a hearing loop available for anyone who needs it. Accessible toilet facilities are available in the main foyer. If you have any particular requirements or would find it helpful to know more before you visit, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us in advance — we're happy to help make sure your visit goes smoothly.
What Happens in the Service?
One of the questions people most often ask is: what actually goes on?
The service begins at 10:30am with a warm welcome. We're an evangelical church, which means the Bible sits at the centre of everything we do — our singing, our prayers, and especially our preaching. But we aim to be welcoming and accessible to everyone, whatever your background or level of familiarity with church.
After the welcome, we usually open our time of worship with our first hymn. Hymn books are usually handed out as you are greeted on arrival so you're very welcome to join in, or simply listen if you'd prefer.
One or possibly two prayers will be made during the service, and one or sometimes two bible readings will be made. The public reading of God’s Word is central to the act of worship at Bethany. The sermon that the speaker will preach will be based around these bible readings. “Pew bibles” are available to allow any visitor to follow both the reading and the sermon.
We then take a few minutes for news and notices — a brief window into the life of the church, including upcoming events and anything else the congregation needs to know about.
The heart of the service is the sermon. One of our leaders or a visiting preacher will speak for around 30–40 minutes, opening up a passage from the Bible and applying it to everyday life. You don't need any prior knowledge to follow it — our preaching is aimed at being clear and understandable, whether you've been reading the Bible for decades or have never opened one. We believe the Bible has something genuine and relevant to say to all of us, and our aim is simply to explain it honestly and faithfully.
The service will conclude with a final hymn and then a final brief prayer, and then everyone is free to stay for refreshments or head off as they need to.
The whole service runs for approximately 60-75 minutes in total.
A Few Other Things Worth Knowing
There's no dress code at Bethany. Come as you are — people dress in all sorts of ways and no one will look twice.
If you have questions — about the service, about Christianity, or about anything else — we'd love to talk. Feel free to speak to anyone after the service, or get in touch with us beforehand if you'd prefer.
We hope to see you soon.
