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So, you are uncomfortable going to a church that is unfamiliar
to you? You are not alone. There are many people who have
these feelings. Hopefully, this article will relieve some of
the apprehensions you might have.
Your willingness to come will be greatly appreciated. Though
you will not be singled out in the assembly, you will be an
honored guest. You will receive a warm welcome by people who
are genuinely interested in you.
Have you noticed a tendency toward entertainment in worship
today? Worship is to be directed toward God, to please and
honor Him. We do not use choirs or bands to worship for us, but
like the first century Christians, we engage in the singing of
“psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians
5:19). We will welcome the joining of your voice in
our congregational singing, as we all concentrate on the
sentiments we sing.
If you visit with us on Sunday, you will see that we partake of
the Lord’s Supper. We practice this every first day of the week,
as the Christians did in the first century (Acts
20:7). This is done in memory of the death,
burial and resurrection of Jesus (1
Corinthians 11:24-26).
Also, on the first day of the week, we have a collection, as the
Christians did in the first century (1
Corinthians 16:1-2). This congregation is
supported by the free will offerings of its members. So,
as a visitor and our guest, you will not be expected to
contribute to our financial obligations. We do not engage
in fund raising activities, such as rummage sales and
bingo games, because the Lord did not build His church to be a
business or place of entertainment. What brings glory to God is
for His church to be what He designed it to be.
If you worship with us, you will hear lessons from the Bible.
We believe the Bible to be a complete, sufficient and
understandable guide from God. Because it is only the
truth of God’s word that can make anyone free, we will not waste
your time or ours by presenting human opinion, political
speeches, social agendas or extensive quotes from human sources.
The lessons from God’s word are presented by using the truths
learned in practical, everyday applications.
In addition to our periods of worship on Sunday, we also offer
Bible classes for all ages. What is provided for the young
children is not a baby-sitting time, but, like all the other
classes, a time when the Bible is studied and made practical for
every day living. The teachers take their responsibilities
seriously and prepare for their classes accordingly.
Whether it is a Bible class or sermon, you will never be
expected to accept what is said because we say it. We want
everyone to be like those who were commended in the Bible when
upon hearing the word, they “searched the scriptures daily to
find out whether these things were so” (Acts
17:11)
Three principles govern our periods of worship and Bible study:
(1) We must do only that for which we have authority from
God,
Colossians 3:17. The
church was built by the Lord, it belongs to Him, and He is the
head of it, so His will must be followed, not man’s. (Matthew
16:18;
Ephesians 1:22-23
(2) What is practiced is for mutual edification,
1 Corinthians 14:25.
(3) Things are done decently and in order,
1 Corinthians 14:40.
We hope it is obvious that we try to give scripture for what we
believe and practice, so that we bring glory and honor to God.
Please consider coming to worship with us, bring your Bibles,
participate in our worship and talk with us about your spiritual
needs. We will look forward to meeting you!
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