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We
want you to visit us, but we realize an
unfamiliar place can be intimidating. We want
you to feel comfortable, so we have prepared
this article to tell you what you can expect
when you honor us with a visit
Background
In the early
days, after the Lord's church began, it was much
different than the denominations of today.
Throughout the generations man has altered
virtually every aspect of Christ's church
including its teachings, its worship and its
practices.
Today, you
will find many different religious
organizations, each claiming to uphold Biblical
teachings and practices, yet each teaching many
contrasting doctrines. This is, at the very
least, extremely confusing for anyone searching
for God's truth (John 8:32).
Our plea to
those of all denominations is "The Restoration
Of True New Testament Christianity." We believe
the Bible has the answers to all of our
religious needs. It is not our aim to be
influenced simply by habit, preference and
tradition, but rather to be a Bible-centered
church.
We will,
therefore, always attempt to give scriptural
reasons for our teachings and practices. We
invite you to join us in our quest for true New
Testament Christianity (Matthew 7:21-23).
The
Worship Setting
The worship
setting will be a simple one. Some congregations
meet in homes or rented facilities, but most
meet in a modest building that has been erected
or purchased for the purpose of worship. You
will find no elaborate architecture or costly
furnishings, simply a structure where God's
people gather to praise and honor Him.
The
Worship is Simple And Dignified
We truly hope
you will be touched by the simplicity and
dignity of the worship services. In our worship,
all persons will worship together rather than
being divided into classes or groups. We feel
this best keeps in harmony with the pattern of
the early church, as well as providing the most
profitable learning experience for each family
member.
Each worship
service is designed to draw every person closer
to God and provide an atmosphere that will allow
all to worship God in spirit and in truth (John
4:24).
Since all we
do is governed by the word of God, you will find
us observing only those things contained
therein. We shall do our best to duplicate the
Biblical pattern of the early church in
everything we do. The following describes our
worship.
The
Singing
Our song
service may seem different from that customarily
practiced in many churches. All the singing will
be "acappella," that is, without instrumental
accompaniment. As Christians we are commanded to
sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord
(Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16). Common men
introduced instrumental music into Christian
worship after 666 A.D.
Since the New
Testament makes no mention of instrumental
music, we feel it would be an addition to God's
will if we added and employed instruments of
music.
The songs will
be melodious psalms, hymns and spiritual type
songs (Colossians 3:16). Each song will be
selected so as to praise and glorify God and
create an atmosphere of worship.
You will find
a songbook in a bookrack nearby. When the song
leader announces a song, you may use the
songbook to follow the words and music of the
song. Please sing along with us and experience
the joy of praising our Creator.
Prayer
There may be
several prayers during the service. Prayers are
designed to praise God, thank Him for His
blessings, intercede for others, and petition
Him to meet our needs (Philippians 4:6, Matthew
6:9-13).
Teaching
The teaching
will be done by men only, speaking one at a
time. The women will remain silent, not because
we think they are inferior, but because of God's
teaching in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 & 1 Timothy
2:12-13.
You will
notice that the teacher will have no title, and
will not be wearing any special religious
garments which will set him apart from others.
The reason for this is Christ's teaching in
Matthew 23:8-12 and the teaching on the
priesthood of all believers found in First Peter
2:5, 9.
The teaching
service is designed to instruct and exhort in
ways of righteousness. You are encouraged to
follow the speaker in your Bible as the lesson
is presented, and to take notes for further
study (Acts 17:11). Our goal is to present sound
Biblical teaching so that all present will be
edified.
Invitation
An invitation
will be offered at the close of the sermon. This
is a convenient time when any number of desires
can be expressed by those in the audience. There
may be some who desire to become a Christian.
There may be Christians who desire to confess
sins or request prayer for a specific need.
Don't feel
uncomfortable or pressured during this
invitation. If, however, you have a need, we
will be glad to assist you. You will never be
singled out or embarrassed in any way. During
this time there may be several who respond, or
none.
The
Lord's Supper
If you visit
on a Sunday morning, the Lord's Supper, or
Communion, will be observed just as we
understand it to have been done on the night our
Lord introduced it (Matthew 26:26-28, Luke
22:19-20).
The brother
attending the table will take bread, bless it,
break a piece from it, eat, and pass it to
another until each Christian has broken and
eaten. He will then take the cup containing
Fruit of the Vine, bless it, drink, and pass it
to another until each Christian has partaken (1
Corinthians 10:16- 17).
This is the
simple New Testament pattern repeated at this
congregation each first day of the week (Acts
20:7).
If you choose
not to participate, feel free to just pass the
plate or cup to the person next to you.
Contribution
You will not
find us soliciting money through any special
offerings, spaghetti or pie suppers, bake sales,
car washes or any other fund raising methods.
The Lord's church is financed by the collection
or contribution of the members, which is taken
only during the Lord's Day morning worship
service in accordance with the teaching found in
First Corinthians 16:1-2. At this time
Christians are to give as they have been
prospered and as they purposed in their hearts
(Second Corinthians 9:7). As our guest, you are
not expected to participate in the contribution,
but you should feel free to do so if you wish.
WHAT
KIND OF PEOPLE WILL YOU FIND?
The answer to
that question is "a great variety." In society
we are segregated by many factors such as race,
nationality, color, economic status, education,
and cultural backgrounds, among other factors.
The common
bond that men and women enjoy in Jesus Christ
erases those boundaries. All those who have
obediently accepted Jesus Christ are simply
Christians - not American Christians or Russian
Christians: not white Christians or black
Christians; not rich Christians or poor
Christians or "whatever" Christians - just
Christians (Galatians 3:28, Acts 11:26).
As Christians
we are a family and we enjoy a unique care,
comfort and concern that only a family shares.
Just like in a family, you will find happy
people and sad people; friendly people and
unfriendly people; loving people and selfish
people. You will also find people who know a lot
and those who know little. We're not perfect. We
don't know it all.
We were not
brought together by our illusions of perfection,
but by the common need we have for a Savior.
This is the glue which holds us together in
spite of our imperfections. Please consider
becoming part of our Christian family.
How
Can I Become A Christian?
-
I must
first realize that I have sins in my life
and because of that I am in need of a Savior
(Romans 3:23; 6:23).
-
I must
understand that through His grace, God did
what I could not do. He provided a Savior
for me, the gift of His one and only Son,
Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10, John 3:16,
Acts 4:10-12, Romans 5:8).
-
I must
then answer the question, "What Must ‘I do'
to be saved?" Or "Is there something ‘I must
do' to gain access to God's grace?"
God's
Word Says There Is
-
I must
accept God's gift through faith (Ephesians
2:8-10).
-
This faith
must be an obedient faith (James 2:14-20,
Matthew 7:21-23).
-
This faith
must be a faith that repents of sins (Luke
13:3, Acts 3:19).
-
This faith
must be a faith that confesses faith in
Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9, Acts 8:37,
Philippians 2:9-11, Matthew 10:32).
-
This faith
must be a faith that submits to baptism in
water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38,
8:36, 22:16) so that I might "put on Christ"
(Galatians 3:26-27).
-
This faith
must be a faith that causes me to "walk in
newness of life" as a Christian and child of
God (Romans 6:1-4, Titus 2:11-14, Second
Timothy 2:19).
By virtue of
the obedient faith that I have demonstrated in
submitting to the Lord's teachings regarding the
question "What Must I Do To Be Saved?", the Lord
adds me to His church(Acts2:47). I'm then a New
Testament Christian and part of God's family.
YOU
ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
You are
extremely important to the people of this
congregation. A friendly smile and warm welcome
awaits you. You will never be singled out for
public attention or embarrassed in any way. Each
visitor at this place is an honored guest.
Claiborne
Church of Christ
727 Wallace Dean Rd.
West Monroe, La 71291
I-20 @ Exit 112 (Well Rd.), Go North 1.5
miles
"Pleading for the
Restoration of New Testament Christianity"
Times of Worship
Sundays: 10:30 a.m. & 5:00
p.m.
Wednesdays 7:00 p.m. |
