What
You Can
Expect When
You Visit
the Church of Christ
We want you to visit us at the church of Christ.
And we want you to feel comfortable. We realize
visiting an unfamiliar place can be intimidating.
So allow us to tell you what you can expect when you honor us with a
visit.
Background:TOP
A brief description of our background
will help you understand us.
We are a part of "The Restoration Movement."
Our goal is to "restore" the New Testament church in our
time. We believe that the New Testament contains
the pattern that will duplicate the first century church
today. We believe this is a trustworthy and
reverent goal.
We want to be a Bible-centered church. And
we try to be. Yet we know that our conclusions
aren't flawless, and that our practices are sometimes
colored by habit, preference, tradition, or convenience.
Let us walk you through a worship service.
There may be some variations from the following
description, because every church of Christ is
autonomous; self ruled, Independent.
The Setting:
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Some churches of Christ meet in homes
or rented facilities. Most, like us, have built a
building and meet there.
You will enter into our foyer, where we greet and
chat with one another, and then you enter our
auditorium. There are rows of pews for each to be
seated. We have no assigned pews, no reserved
seats. So, feel free to sit anywhere you choose.
Singing:TOP
In a book-rack in front of you, there
will be a song book for your use. When the song
leader announces a number, you can turn to that number
in the song book to find the words and music.
A unique characteristic of churches of Christ --
something you may find strange, is the "a cappella
singing." We sing without the accompaniment of
musical instruments.
This is a conviction with us, not just a
preference. We are seeking to worship according to
the New Testament pattern; the way the first church did.
Since the New Testament leaves instrumental music out,
we believe it is best to exclude it, too.
You may consider us narrow on this point.
But we believe you will respect our reason for it and
our conviction. And we think you will find the
singing meaningful, with everyone invited to
participate.
Prayers:TOP
There will be several prayers during
the service. There may be prayers for specific
needs and requests, also.
Preaching:TOP
You will notice
that the preacher is not referred to as Reverend or
Pastor. He may be addressed as Dr., but only
if he has earned that academic credential. He will
probably be addressed as brother, or Mister,
or just called by his first name.
He will not be wearing special clothing to set
him apart. We believe in the priesthood of all
believers. That all are equal.
The sermon will be approximately 30 minutes.
We think you will find it refreshingly Bible-centered.
Invitation:TOP
At the close of the sermon the
preacher will "extend an invitation." This is
simply an expedient time to invite those who are moved
to do so to make a commitment or request prayer for
support.
He will ask those who wish, to come to the front
of the auditorium while the congregation sings a hymn.
Don't feel ill-at-ease during this invitation.
You will not be singled out in any way.
It is possible that one or more may respond, or
that no one will respond. Someone may respond for
baptism. Some may wish to confess sins. Some
may even want to "place membership" with this family.
If anyone responds for baptism, you will witness
the baptism during this service. The baptism will
be by immersion. And it will be for the remission
of sins.
Lord's Supper / Communion:TOP
If you visit on a Sunday morning, the
Lord's Supper will be a part of the worship service.
Churches of Christ observe this memorial every Sunday.
Again, the reason for this is our desire to
follow the New Testament teaching. The first
century church celebrated this observance on the first
day of the week. Thus, we do too.
We know from respected historians that in the
early centuries the Lord's Supper was an every Sunday
commemoration.
During this memorial, trays containing pieces of
unleavened bread will be passed throughout the
congregation. This bread symbolizes the body of
Jesus. Each participant will break off a piece of
the bread and eat it.
Next, trays filled with small cups will be
passed. The cups contain "fruit of the vine",
grape juice, symbolizing the blood of Jesus. Each
participant will drink the contents of one cup.
If you choose not to participate, don't be
embarrassed. Feel free to pass the trays to the
person next to you.
Offering:TOP
Also, if you visit on a Sunday
morning, collection trays will be passed to collect the
weekly financial offering.
As our guest, you are not expected to make a
donation. Feel perfectly comfortable in passing
the collection tray on down the row.
What will be expected of you:TOP
Nothing at all!! You are welcome
to participate. But don't feel obligated to.
Just observe, if that is your choice.
You may be asked to fill out a Visitor's Card.
This simply provides information so the church can write
or call to say "Thanks for being our guest". We
would like a record of your attendance, but feel free to
decline this request if you prefer.
The People:TOP
What kind of people can you expect to
find? Pretty much the entire spectrum, as in any
group.
You will find traditionalists -- and you will
find those who prefer anything new over everything old.
You will find those who mistake our traditions
for absolute truth, and get pretty bent out of shape
when they are tampered with. And you'll find those
who consider themselves as liberated from tradition
You will find happy people -- and grouchy people.
Friendly people -- and private people. Loving
people -- and difficult people. People who are
growing up in their faith -- and the mature.
People who know next to nothing -- and people who know
everything.
Most often the Derby church is "the home of
friendly people and a few quiet, private individuals."
We hope you see that we are a diverse family,
from varied backgrounds and different states of
knowledge and spiritual growth.
We do not know everything. We do not always
treat each other as we should. We have not arrived
-- we are on the journey.
We do not think we are saints; we realize we are
all still sinners. We were brought together by our
recognition that we are sinners in need of the cleansing
blood of Jesus.
That's the reason we can worship together, stick
together, love together and with God's help, accomplish
some things that make an eternal difference in the lives
of God's creation.
You won't have to look very far to find our
failures. But, bottom line, you will find people
who love the Lord, the Bible and each other.
We would love to have you visit us; please
consider this your invitation to join us in worship of
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Our times
are:
Sunday Morning Class:
9:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship:
10:30 a.m.
Sunday Evening Worship: 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Evening Class: 7:00 p.m.
1.1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:18,19; Colossians
3:16; Hebrews 2:12.
2. Matthew 23: 8-12;
Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Peter 2:5,9.
3. Acts 8:35-39;
Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:12.
4. Acts 2:38;
22:16.
5. Acts 20:7.
6. Neander, Eusebius.
7. 1 Corinthians 11:23-25.
8. 1 Corinthians
16:1,2.
9. Mark 2:17; Romans 5:6-9; Ephesians 1:7;
1 John 1:7.
*Interested in a Correspondence Course of Home Bible
Study?
Please contact us at:
Derby Church of Christ
225 North Derby
Derby, Kansas
(316) 788-2672 -
www.derbychurchofchrist.com
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