Religion is an in-built thing in the hearts of Cook Islanders. It is part and parcel of their everyday life, and this applies very much to those living in Townsville. People look forward to the organised activities of the week, which of course culminates with the Sunday service. Members are mainly Cook Islanders, but other nationalities are most welcome to join in any of its organised programmes and activities.
The regular church service is at 1.30pm every Sunday. The order is as follows:
Invocation
Notices and announcements
Offering and its dedication
Sunday School hymn (imene Apii Sabati)
Prayer of confession/Lord’s prayer
Bible reading Traditional hymn (imene tuki)
Bible reading
Prayer of thanksgiving/intercession
Traditional hymn
Sermon
Sunday School hymn
Vesper
A normal service of the above order runs for about an hour, with the actual sermon taking from 15 – 25 minutes. Variations of the above order happen during special services. Functions and ceremonies are also held in the church, for example baptism, marriage, bereavement service, etc