About Our Worship

Three principles govern our worship.  First, we seek Christ's authority for our worship (Colossians 3:17).  Worship without divine authority is empty tradition (Matthew 15:9).  Second, we seek to be truthful and spiritual in worship (John 4:20-24).  True worship turns our attention to spiritual things.  Third, we seek to build up one another ( 1 Corinthians 14:26).  Entertainment and amusement are not objectives.

We meet on Sunday, the Lord's Day, as did the first Christians (Acts 20:7 ; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 ; Revelation 1:10).  On this day we share the Lord's Supper, we have a collection, we have Bible classes, we sing praises to God, and we offer him our prayers.  We also meet at other times, like Sunday nights, Wednesday nights, and other special times.  These other meetings emphasize a particular aspect of worship, such as singing, prayer, or instruction.

Our singing is congregational and acappella.  The first Christians sang as part of their worship (1 Corinthians 14:14-15,26 ; Ephesians 5:18-20 ; Colossians 3:16).  We do not use mechanical instruments because singing is what the first Christians were commanded, and because we have no evidence of its use among Christians in New Testament worship.

Our Bible classes and preaching are designed to instruct.  Our goal is to convict unbelievers and edify believers (1 Corinthians 14:24-26).  We teach only what we find in the Bible (1 Peter 4:11).

Our prayers are to God through Christ (John 15:16).  We pray together (Acts 2:42 ; 4:23-31).  Our prayers consist of praise and petition, thanksgiving and confession.

Our Sunday assembly includes two other elements.  We proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ; Acts 20:7). We also take up a collection which is to finance the work of this church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).  Your participation in these two actions is voluntary.  We neither require nor expect visitors to participate - only as your consciences dictate.

Our public worship is conducted by the men of the congregation.  While the role of women in our work and worship is vital, the Scriptures place restrictions on their public participation (1 Corinthians 14:34-36 ; 1 Timothy 2:11-12).

We welcome your participation in our worship to the extent that your conscience allows.  We also welcome any questions you have about what we do and why we do it.