Worship
"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:24
In the Bible, we find five specific acts of worship. Each of these you will find practiced in the Church of Christ.
The Bible teaches that on the first day of the week the early Christians came together to celebrate the Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:24-26). We also learn that upon the first day of the week they lay by in store as they had been prospered (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
Other acts of worship that we find authorized in the New Testament are the study of God’s word by preaching and teaching (2 Timothy 2:15), prayer, (Acts 2:42, James 5:16-17), and singing (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16).
SINGING
You will likely notice that we do not use musical instruments to accompany our singing. The congregation sings acapella. This is because no mention of instruments is made in the New Testament, so we believe we should sing as the first Christians did. (1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12) We hope you will sing along with us.
PRAYERS
Several different men of the congregation will lead prayers during the service. We do not call these men nor the preacher by an honorary title such as “reverend” or “father,” but simply as a brother in Christ. Jesus said not to use such titles (Matthew 23:8 -12) and the scriptures tell us that we are all equal in the sight of God and that all Christians are priests (Galatians 3:26-28; 1 Peter 2:5-9).
PREACHING
The sermon usually lasts 25 to 35 minutes and there will be references to scriptures as proof of what is being taught. If anyone says something which you disagree with or you wish to discuss further, feel free to talk to them following the service.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord’s Supper is observed every Sunday during our assembly, just as the first Christians did (Acts 20:7). During this part of the service, trays containing unleavened bread will be passed, followed by trays filled with small cups, containing grape juice (fruit of the vine). Each participant will break off a small piece of bread and eat it. When the cups are passed, each participant will drink the contents of one of the cups.
The bread symbolizes the broken body of Jesus and the fruit of the vine symbolizes his blood which he shed on the cross (1 Corinthians 11:23-35). As we participate in this part of the service we examine our commitment to Christ as we remember what he went through for us.
OFFERING
On Sunday morning the plates will be passed to receive the financial offerings of the worshippers (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). We do not ask you, as a guest, to make a donation. Feel perfectly at ease in passing the collection plate on to the person sitting next to you.
INVITATION
At the close of the sermon, the preacher will explain what the Bible teaches is necessary to become a Christian and will encourage anyone who wishes to respond to do so by coming to the front of the auditorium while a hymn of encouragement is being sung.
Do not feel uncomfortable during this invitation. No effort will be made to persuade you to respond. If anyone responds for baptism, you will witness the baptism during this service in keeping with the New Testament cases of conversion (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12). Baptism is by immersion in water and for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).