Our services
We gather for worship every Sunday at 10:30am at Exeter Community Centre, 17 St. David’s Hill, Exeter, EX4 3RG.
What are our services like?
Our services tend to be simple.
We preach God’s Word every week because we believe that God gives life through His Scriptures.
We pray because we believe that God is our provider and that He desires us to seek after Him.
We sing because God is worthy of our all our praise and thanksgiving.
We proclaim the gospel because it is the message of salvation for those who don’t know God and the message of strength for those who do know Him.
We often take the Lord’s Supper because Jesus told his people to gather together regularly and share His Supper.
We sometimes get the wonderful privilege of obeying Jesus by baptising people when they hear the Gospel, repent of their sins, and trust in Christ.
What does it mean to be a Baptist Church?
While being a Baptist church can have lots of unhelpful stereotypes attached with it, we trust you’ll find we are a Bible-teaching, Gospel-centered, Christ-exalting, God-glorifying church that believes baptism is for people who: have received the Word and understood it, have trusted Christ, have understood that Jesus is Lord and that they must repent of their sins, and have been made new by the Holy Spirit’s work (Acts 2:37-38, 41, Romans 6:1-4, Colossians 2:11-12, 1 Peter 3:21)
What do we offer for children?
Parents are welcome to keep their children in the service with them and many families choose to do this. We also offer childcare during the second part of the main service (during the sermon) for children ages 6 years old and under.
What should you wear when you come?
You’ll find all kinds of people wearing all kinds of different clothing. We don’t care about piercings or tattoos. We don’t care if you come in a suit and tie, or surf shorts and a sleeveless T-shirt. The Lord is most concerned with the heart, not your appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).
How can you serve?
There are many ways to volunteer and serve at Emmanuel. After all, for those who are Christians, service to the body of Christ is a primary way that we live out the gospel message (Matthew 25:40). However, as someone who is new to our church, we want to serve you and see your spirit nurtured in this community before we ask anything of you. For that reason the gateway to all service in our church - from volunteering in childcare to assisting with parking - is church membership. We want you to commit to love this body, and we want to commit to love you in the same way. Then together we can discover the unique gifts and opportunities God has provided for you to serve. Find out more about membership here.
Are our services online?
We record our sermons for those unable to attend. However, we don’t do ‘virtual church’. For we don’t actually believe that church can be done in your pyjamas at home. This is because the word ‘church’ (ecclesia) literally means gathering. Hebrews 10:25 tells Christians not to neglect meeting together. We love to gather together to encourage one another in person and to display a new kind of community to a watching world.
What is the Exeter Community Centre?
Exeter Community Centre is where we will gather as a church. It is a listed building that has gone from Georgian merchant’s home, to Victorian school, to now community centre. The centre offers 18 meeting rooms for hire, plus kitchens and a cafe.
Is the Exeter Community Centre accessible?
Yes! The Exeter Community Centre is accessible and offers 3 bookable parking spaces for disabled customers on site. (To book parking space please call the centre at 01392 420549.) If you could let us know beforehand that you are coming, we would be delighted to meet you at the entrance to make sure you are able to comfortably enter the building. Please contact us here.
Where can I park?
There is free parking available near the Community Centre. Please see this page for more information.