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A TYPICAL SERVICE
Most people are a little apprehensive about visiting a new church. We hope this description of our typical church service will help set your mind at ease about visiting our congregation.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
First of all, we want you to know that we try to make our visitors feel as comfortable as possible in our church gatherings. You may sit anywhere you want. You will never be singled out during our services in any way. You will never be asked to make a "love offering." And you will never be expected to participate in any aspect of our services.
A TYPICAL SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE
Here, now, is what our typical Sunday morning service looks like. Our assemblies generally open with a brief welcome and a few announcements from one of our members.
Praising God in Song
After a few announcements, another member stands before the congregation and leads the congregation in a few songs.
Unlike many church groups, all of our singing is congregational. In other words, all the singing in our worship services is done by the whole congregation.
Feel free to sing praises to God with us (song books are provided and most of the songs are projected on a large screen) or, if you'd prefer, feel free to just sit and listen.
If you've never visited a church of Christ before, one of the first things you'll notice is that all of our singing is acappella style (without musical instruments), just like it was during New Testament times (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Acts 16:25).
In fact, most people don't know that the word acappella is an Italian word that means "as in the chapel" or "in chapel style." This word reminds us that throughout most of Christian history the musical style heard in Christian houses of worship was vocal-only. We think you'll be spiritually blessed by the beauty and simplicity of our vocal-only praise.
Prayers and Scripture Reading
At some point in the service, usually after a few songs, another member will offer a prayer to God on behalf of the congregation, and then someone will read a portion of the Scriptures to the congregation. Usually the Scripture that is read will be related to the lesson, or sermon, that will be presented later in the service.
The Lord’s Supper
Another thing you can expect to see if you visit us on a Sunday morning is the Lord's Supper being eaten.
Unlike many church groups, we eat the Lord's Supper every Sunday, just like it was done in New Testament times (Acts 20:7). Eating unleavened bread (bread without yeast) and drinking fruit of the vine (grape juice) is a central part of our Sunday service as we remember Jesus' sacrifice which cleanses our sins (Matthew 26:26-29).
During the Lord's Supper, trays containing the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine will be separately passed down each row of pews, so they will eventually be passed to you. Feel free to participate, but don't feel obligated, and then just pass the trays to those seated next to you.
Contribution from the Members
We also take up collection during each Sunday morning service to meet the financial needs of the congregation and carry out the Lord's work, just like it was done in New Testament times (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). This is strictly a voluntary contribution made by the members of the congregation. As I said earlier, you will never be asked to make a "love offering."
Like the Lord's Supper trays, the collection baskets are passed down each row of pews, so one will eventually be passed to you. Remember, this is for the members, not visitors, so just take the basket and pass it to the next person.
A Bible Lesson
Another center piece of our services is a Bible lesson which our preaching minister presents. It lasts about thirty minutes. As we study the Bible together, our preacher tries very hard to show us how to apply what we learn.
At the end of the sermon, or Bible lesson, the Lord's invitation is offered to anyone who would like to follow Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30), and an "invitation song" is sung. Occasionally someone walks to front of the assembly during the invitation song and requests to become a Christian by being baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4), or requests the prayers of the congregation for a particular spiritual need they have.
Our Sunday morning services usually end with a final song and a shepherd's prayer. We call it a "shepherd's prayer" because it is led by one of our church leaders which the Bible calls shepherds or elders (1 Peter 5:1-4). |
