Menu
Jesus described his followers, Christians, as a family: “Jesus asked, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ Then he looked at those sitting around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what God wants!” {Mark 3:33-35; New Century Version}. A family should be together as often as possible if they want to remain close to one another. The Bible encourages us to gather together: “Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the day coming. {Hebrews 10:25-25; New Century Version}. In our English Bible the term “church” doesn’t refer to a building; instead, the word means “assemblage, gathering, meeting”.
The Bible records that Jesus rose from the dead, leaving an empty tomb, on the first day of the week (Sunday) – {Matthew 28:1-6}. The disciples were already gathering together on that day {John 20: 19, 26}.
Although the Apostle Paul was in a hurry to get back to Jerusalem after one of his mission trips, the New Testament tells us that he waited in the city of Troas for seven days in order to be with other disciples when they came together on the first day of the week {Acts 20:6-8, 16}. Because the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the first day of the week, Sunday was sometimes called, “The Lord’s Day,” by early Christians {Revelation 1:10}.
We seek to follow God’s Word in all that we do. Toward that end we engage in several activities as a church family that are intended to help us worship God and strengthen each other in our mutual faith. We find these activities described in Scripture. They are not listed here in any set order.
Central to our service is what the Apostle Paul calls the “Lord’s Supper.” According to Paul, when Christians come together as a church we are to partake of the Lord’s Supper in order to remember Christ’s sacrifice until he returns {1st Corinthians 11:17-34}. Jesus instituted this memorial meal during the Jewish Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. On that first night Jesus took the unleavened bread and said it was his body. He took the “Fruit of the vine” (juice of grapes) and said it was his blood {Mark 14:12-26}. (We continue to use unleavened bread after Jesus’ example and prefer to use unfermented grape juice out of respect for those who may have trouble with alcohol.) The evidence from Scripture and early church history calls for a weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper.
We pray several times throughout the assembly, seeking God’s blessings and guidance as well as lifting one another up to God in prayer. “I desire, then that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.” {1st Timothy 2:8; New Revised Standard Version. See also James 5:16-18}. At some point in the service people may be invited to ask for prayers on their behalf or to make known some other need.
There will be public reading of Scripture, for Paul wrote, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching or to teaching.” {1st Timothy 4:13; New International Version. See also Nehemiah 8:1-5}.
As the quote above indicates, there will be a lesson preached from God’s Word. {See also 2nd Timothy 4:2, Luke 9:60}.
A free-will offering will be taken up from among the members to support the congregation’s various ministries. A number of New Testament passages describe the act of giving and sharing. {See Acts 2:42-47; 1st Corinthians 16:1-3; 2nd Corinthians 8-9}.
Please understand that this is a responsibility of our members we do not expect our guest to contribute.
We love to sing. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” {Colossians 3:16; New King James Version. See also James 5:13; Hebrews 13:15; Ephesians 5:19-20}. In harmony with these passages, our singing is congregational in nature, everyone is invited to sing together. (In keeping with evidence from the New Testament and early church history we choose to sing acappella — without instrumental accompaniment.)
You may have opportunity to witness a baptism, though baptisms can happen at any time or place {see for example Acts 8:36; 16:33}. The word “baptize” means “to immerse,” and is described in the bible as a burial {Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12} in water {Acts 10:47-48; 8:36-39; John 3:3-5}. This last passage, along with Romans 6, First Peter 3:21, Galatians 3:26-27, and Acts 2:36-41, indicate that baptism is an integral part of becoming a Christian. The baptisms recorded in the New Testament were of people who heard and believed the message of Christ, indicating they were old enough to make the decision for themselves {Acts 2:37-41; 8:12; 18:8}. Therefore we practice adult (old enough to make their own decision) believer’s baptism.
We thank you for sharing our worship service with us and hope that your spirit is refreshed and your mind challenged. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact us through whatever means you are most comfortable with.