What To Expect When You Visit

Most people are a little apprehensive about visiting a new church. We hope a few words will help set your mind at ease about visiting our congregation.

The church of Christ is a growing and friendly church. We are a diverse congregation that reflects the fact that God’s church is for all people. Churches of Christ are diversified — people of all races and backgrounds coming together to worship and work together as God’s children (Acts 10:34-35).

Every effort is made to allow guests to feel comfortable. You will not be singled out during services in any way. You will not be asked to make a “love offering”; in fact, no collections will be taken at all, except during Sunday morning service when our members make their weekly contribution as an act of worship. Guests are not asked or expected to participate in this giving. Only church members are commanded to give of their means “each first day of the week” (1 Corinthians 16:1; 2 Corinthians 9:7).

Our services generally open with a brief welcome from one of our members. The song leader then leads the congregation in a song or two. An opening prayer is offered, followed by some more songs, and a scripture reading. Usually, during this time, the Lord’s Supper (Communion) is observed by partaking of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).

The preacher then delivers a sermon lesson from the Bible. All are encouraged to bring their Bibles and follow along as he leads the study (2 Timothy 2:15). At the end of the sermon, the Lord’s invitation is offered (Matthew 11:28-30) for any who want to become Christians (Acts 2:37-38; 22:16) or for Christians to rededicate their lives to God (Acts 8:22).

You will hear beautiful singing. The whole congregation sings a capella (without mechanical instruments), just as they did in the New Testament times (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Guests may sing along or simply listen. You will find a songbook right in front of you and the song leader will call out the song number. Many first-time visitors comment on how beautiful the singing is. Some say they find it easier to focus on the song’s meaning since the words are more easily understood than they are when musical instruments are used.

It is our prayer that you will see Christ in us. We pray that you will see that it is our desire to worship and serve the God of the Bible according to the pattern He left for us in the New Testament.

Please feel free to ask questions. Ask us why we do the things we do. We welcome questions because we as Christians are commanded to “…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you for reason of the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15).

You will find that we strive to be a “visitor friendly” church. Since many of our members were at one time visitors themselves, we know how visitors feel on their first visit. We make it our goal to be “the friendliest church you have ever visited.” We aim to treat others the way we want to be treated, like Jesus said (Matthew 7:12). You will receive a warm greeting and find assistance to locate your class (or your children’s) and/or a comfortable seat in the worship service. You will not be singled out, made to stand, or encouraged to give any “testimony,” or in other way made to feel embarrassed.

Our services are simple, reverent, practical, and meaningful.

When you visit, you will meet people who, just like you, sincerely want to follow the teachings of the Bible and please God with their lives. You’ll find that every sermon and class is based on the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In fact, members and visitors alike are urged to bring their own Bibles and follow along. We still strive to do Bible things in Bible ways and call Bible things by Bible names — nothing more or nothing less (Revelation 22:18-19).

We seek to exalt Christ in our songs, prayers, sermons, and lives (Colossians 1:18).

An air of hope fills the church as we think of the beautiful promise of heaven for God’s faithful children (Revelation 21).

Please come and join us!