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We recognize that it can be a little uncomfortable for someone to attend a new place of worship for the first time. It is for that reason that we would like to offer you a brief summary of what to expect when you visit us.
First of all know for certain that you are welcome. We are always encouraged to know that there are others in our community who desire to please God through worship just as we do.
On your arrival you will receive a warm hello and will be handed our weekly bulletin. Generally there are about 70 of us who meet every Sunday morning, none of whom are anywhere near perfect. We are a diverse group: young, old, professionals, non-professionals, students, some work in the service sector while still others are unemployed.
All of us congregate together in the auditorium. Here you will not see anyone dressed in traditional religious garments, neither is anyone addressed with such titles as Reverend or Father. The reason for this is because of our deep conviction, drawn from New Testament scripture, that we are all equal at the foot of the cross of Jesus our Savior.
The setting is by no means elaborate. However, there are a number of comfortable pews enabling us to seat around 120. There is a podium situated at the head of the auditorium and a table with emblems representing the Lord’s Supper. These emblems, the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine are distributed at an appropriate time to the congregation during our worship.
Please do not expect a show. There is no band or any other form of entertainment in our worship service. This too, is a strong conviction that stems from New Testament scripture.
Our worship is done in an orderly, dignified manner and consists of several hymns sung by the entire congregation in beautiful a cappella fashion. At an appointed time a prayer is offered to God on behalf of the congregation by one of the men from the podium. The prayer usually consists of praise and thanksgiving to the Father together with supplications for those who are in need.
The Lord’s Supper is done in remembrance of Jesus’ death on the cross every Sunday . During the distribution of the emblems opportunity is given to the congregation to quietly reflect within their own heart the significance of His death and what it means to the individual.
Following the Lord’s Supper each individual is given an opportunity to contribute financially to the work of the Barrie church of Christ, (usually referred to as the freewill offering). This is done by passing a collection plate among the congregation. It is important to us that you know that you are not expected to contribute any monies. This is solely the responsibility of the members of our congregation. As visitors you are our guest and we wish to treat you as such, so please do not feel compelled to give. It may do well to also mention that at no time will you be singled out, or called attention to or made to feel uncomfortable in any way.
At the conclusion of the freewill offering a brief passage from the Bible is read aloud from the podium followed by a half hour sermon. That’s it!
The worship service then closes with a hymn and closing prayer and we are dismissed.
To be sure, our worship is simplistic in its form. The reason for its simplicity is because our worship is patterned after the first century church as found in the New Testament. |
