Worship
Sunday Morning Bible Study: 9:30 a.m., Worship: 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Evening Worship: 5:00 p.m.,
Wednesday Evening Bible Study: 7:00 p.m.
What The Scriptures Teach Regarding Worship
The apostle Paul wrote, "Whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him" (Colossians
3:17). To do a thing "in the name of Christ" means to do it by His authority (see Acts 2:38; I Cor. 1:10). Thus, whatever we teach or practice must be authorized by Christ.
Regarding worship, Jesus said, "God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). The word "must" is an obligatory word; that is, if worship is
to be acceptable to God, it has to be exactly as He prescribes. To worship Him "in spirit" means that our worship must be sincere (from the heart). To worship God "in truth" means that
our worship must be according to the way He directs in His word for His word is truth (John 17:17). Our worship consists of the following:
SINGING: One of the beautiful elements of our worship is the "a cappella" singing. That is, we sing without the use of mechanical instruments. The Scriptures do not authorize instrumental music; therefore, we do not use it. Paul writes, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19). Note that the melody is to be made "in your heart."
PRAYER: One of the practices of the early Christians when they came together for worship was prayer. They "continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). Prayers are led by the men.
PREACHING: Preaching and teaching is important to Christians. During the worship period a sermon from God's Word is presented to the congregation. This provides another opportunity for every person to learn what the Bible teaches and for us to be edified and encouraged to live a faithful life. Again, the early Christians "continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine..." (Acts 2:42).
THE LORD'S SUPPER: If you visit on a Sunday morning you will find that the observance of the Lord's Supper will be a part of our worship. The bread and the fruit of the vine symbolize the body and blood of the Lord as He was crucified (I Cor. 11:23-25). Furthermore, this memorial supper is observed each first day of the week in keeping with apostolic example: "Upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his speech until midnight" (Acts 20:7).
SINGING: One of the beautiful elements of our worship is the "a cappella" singing. That is, we sing without the use of mechanical instruments. The Scriptures do not authorize instrumental music; therefore, we do not use it. Paul writes, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19). Note that the melody is to be made "in your heart."
PRAYER: One of the practices of the early Christians when they came together for worship was prayer. They "continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). Prayers are led by the men.
PREACHING: Preaching and teaching is important to Christians. During the worship period a sermon from God's Word is presented to the congregation. This provides another opportunity for every person to learn what the Bible teaches and for us to be edified and encouraged to live a faithful life. Again, the early Christians "continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine..." (Acts 2:42).
THE LORD'S SUPPER: If you visit on a Sunday morning you will find that the observance of the Lord's Supper will be a part of our worship. The bread and the fruit of the vine symbolize the body and blood of the Lord as He was crucified (I Cor. 11:23-25). Furthermore, this memorial supper is observed each first day of the week in keeping with apostolic example: "Upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his speech until midnight" (Acts 20:7).
GIVING: Paul writes, "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store
as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come" (I Cor. 16:2). Thus, each Sunday Christians give back to the Lord as they have prospered. The offering is used to carry
on the work of the church including evangelism, edification, and benevolence.
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