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Worship With UsWhat to expect from our services:
"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophecy of Christ." As you enter, you will notice an atmosphere of worship and reverence. Our thoughts are taken at once to God and His Son - as we have entered their house and wish to honor them. As you enter you will most likely have the opportunity to meditate and pray as you listen to prelude music. At the front of the church, there may be a lectern-pulpit, or stand, for the sharing of the Word; here the Scriptures are read and a message is given to the people from the minister.
"Wherefore, I will have all men that dwell thereon, that they shall worship me, saith God." The general rule is to stand to sing hymns (found in the Hymnal in the pews) and other songs that may be printed as part of the service. We remain standing for prayer to show our gratefulness to God for accepting us as children or as an act of humility before Him. God merits our adoration, and we are pleased to worship him in a simple and dignified way through singing, praying, and celebrating Jesus'' gift of grace and forgiveness.
The Services "And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God." We begin each Sunday service with an early morning worship service, lasting about 15 minutes. This is a method for focusing on our Lord and Savior, giving Him praise and honoring His name. Immediately after the early service we move into Sunday School Class, typically 45 minutes in length. Normally each age group will have their own classes, including the adults. We then move into the main worship service where music, prayer, and a sermon or message is customary. A collection is generally taken to help pay for the general expenses of the church, or perhaps contribute to the assistance of the needy. Sunday evenings vary by location and according to the schedule of the congregation. They may include study, prayer, hymn sings, fellowship, community service, or other avenues of worship. Another service is Wednesday evening prayer. These services consist of Scripture readings, music, prayers, and testimonies of how the Lord is working in your daily life. This evening we sing a capella, that is, without instruments. Typically, the first Sunday of each month, the membership partakes of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. The Lord instituted this ordinance for the benefit of man. God extends the invitation to mankind to come and behold his full glory. The sacrament addresses the needs of those who choose to make a covenant with Christ to become pure and holy that they may abide in God’s full presence. In the sacrament, we partake of the bread and wine, remembering the sacrifice of Christ and witnessing to God the Eternal Father that we are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. Meaning, we will follow Christ, continually committing and living our lives in obedience to his commandments. As we are genuine in our witness to God, he promises that his Spirit will always be with us, which Spirit fills us with hope and perfect love until that day when we are perfected in him and sanctified. In the Independence, Missouri area, on the first Sunday of the month we have a special worship service in the evening in our Church Headquarters chapel rather than at our local congregations.
Before and After Services "Be still, and know that I am God" We encourage everyone to enter the church reverently, and do not talk in church before a service but use this time for personal meditation and devotions. At the end of the service some persons may kneel for a private prayer before leaving. Others sometimes sit to listen to the piano/organ postlude.
Coming and Going If there are Deacons or Hosts they will greet you and perhaps ask you to sign a visitor book. If you desire, they will answer your questions about the service. Following the service the pastor or members will greet the people as they leave.
"Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive." Rudderless without God''s direction in our lives, we ask for his guidance through the avenue of vibrant prayer. We go to him first on a daily basis, rather than using prayer as a last resort when all else has failed. We are privileged to give God our praises, joys, sorrows, needs, confessions, and fears. We have learned through specific experiences that God hears and knows what we need and want. He answers, as he deems best. Nothing has more impact on what happens to us individually or congregationally than our stance as a prayerful people.
"And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads, if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence." We are challenged to grow in spiritual understanding through weekly discussion-oriented, Scripture-based classes and occasional special seminars or family retreats. Members are encouraged to shore up their skills in such practical areas as child rearing and marriage-enrichment through group attendance at support groups, workshops, college classes, and other opportunities. Each congregation has their own library, which may feature fiction and non-fiction books and multi-media materials on a wide range of subjects for adults and children.
Fun "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance." Relationships of love, respect, and support require some effort to grow. Small group meetings, dinners, retreats, camps, cultural outings, and service projects give us the informal opportunities to know and cherish one another. Fun social activities we''ve enjoyed together include game nights, park picnics, barbeques, pumpkin carvings, hikes, bike riding, and so forth.
Children "And I have given unto you another law and commandment; wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in no wise inherit the kingdom of God." We treasure the children God has brought our way, and we take great care to nurture them with positive, loving attention. Our teachers, helpers, or activity leaders introduce God''s love and purpose to children from infancy on up in fun, hands-on, active sessions during Sunday morning classes called Sunday School. Children attend age-appropriate classes for 45 minutes of instruction. Occasionally during class, children practice a song or skit to perform live for the congregation. After class, parents rejoin their children for the main worship service.
Faith "And now as I said concerning faith: Faith, is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith, ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." We take our role as links to Jesus seriously, introducing friends and colleagues to God, the all-important creator of the universe. Church members help each other in this effort by hosting activities such as game nights, children''s parties, or outdoor events to which non-members can be invited. As relationships grow, the opportunities to share Jesus'' good news become apparent. |
