WHAT TO EXPECT IF YOU VISIT AN ASSEMBLY                           # 503

             Perhaps the first thing you will notice when you enter our building is that the furnishings are simple and modest.  You will not find elaborate, ornate decorations, nor will you find official looking guys wearing fancy robes.  What you will find is a lot of friendly people who really enjoy being together.  You will notice that there is no dress code here.  People wear modest and respectful attire, appropriate for an hour of worship to Almighty God ... but that means different things to different people.  You need not feel ashamed if you do not own a suit or formal dress.  Many who worship here do not and feel comfortable in our assembly.

            On Sunday mornings, we have Bible classes for various age groups, scattered throughout the building.  There are graded classes from infants through high school, and two adult classes.  Both adult classes study the same materials.  The upstairs Bible class uses the auditorium while the downstairs class gathers together in a circle.  Someone will be glad to direct you and/or your children to the proper room.  Bible classes begin at 9:30 and end at 10:15.  Then, there is a 15 minute break between Bible class and worship, which starts at 10:30.

            The worship assembly meets in the main auditorium, which seats about 300 people.  You will notice that there is no choir loft nor musical instruments in the room.  During the worship service, everyone sings ... and we sing a cappella.  A cappella means without instrumental accompaniment.  This is the way early Christians sang, and they did so for several hundred years of early church history.  Paul instructed early Christians to sing  (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).  There is neither command nor example of early Christians using instruments in New Testament worship.  But don’t be discouraged about this.  You will find a cappella singing to be extremely beautiful and stirring.  After all, it is the words that should capture our attention.

            The focal point of Sunday’s worship is the Lord’s Supper.  We usually sing a song or two about the Lord’s life and death to prepare our minds for this weekly memorial.  Worshipers remain seated during the Lord’s Supper as the bread and juice are passed through the audience.  The trays are passed to every person in attendance.  If you do not understand what this custom represents, or if you feel uncomfortable partaking, simply hand the tray on to the next person.  If you have questions, be sure to ask someone at the conclusion of the service.

            The order of the worship service will vary from week to week, but the same ingredients will always be found:  Singing, prayer, preaching, The Lord’s Supper, and the contribution.  Somewhere in the service, collection plates will be passed through the audience.  It will be explained that the contribution is used to finance the spread of the gospel in this location, as well as other mission points.  Also, money given is used to help those who are in need.  As a guest, you do not need to feel compelled to contribute.  You may simply pass the plate on to the next person if you so desire.  No one will think a thing about it.

            The sermon is usually about 25 minutes.  Sometimes it is shortened to give more emphasis to singing or praying or reading of scripture.  Little effort is given to making the assemblies entertaining.  We place more importance on making the worship moving and informative than entertaining.  We meet again on Sunday evenings, mostly out of courtesy for those who had to miss in the morning.  The service is similar, but maybe a little more “laid back” than the morning assembly.  Other gatherings throughout the week include devotionals, Bible studies, singings, and other types of fellowship activities.  Times and locations are listed in the church bulletin.

            When the worship assembly is over, you will notice that people stand around and visit for a long time.  You can make some wonderful and lifelong friends by simply hanging around for awhile.  Pretty soon, you will be part of a friendly conversation and maybe even invited for lunch.  People here are just ordinary folks.  You will come to love them, and they will come to love you.

            If you have studied every lesson up to this one, then you know all about us.  We just wish you would come for a visit and let us get to know you.