| New Castle church of Christ |
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We are glad you have come our way and hope you will feel at ease and enjoy your visit! Our aim is to follow the example of the first Christians as revealed in the New Testament, and worship in the same manner as they did. Here is what you will observe at the Church of Christ: You will enter an auditorium with seating intended to be alike for all present, so feel free to sit anywhere you wish. You will find a songbook in the rack in front of you with selections numbered. We hope you will sing along with us if you wish. It may seem strange that we do not use musical instruments to accompany our singing. This is because no mention of instruments is made in the New Testament, so we believe we should sing only as the first Christians did. (1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:18:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12) There will be prayers during the service led by different men of the congregation. The preacher will not be called by any honorary title such as reverend or pastor, but will be referred to as brother or by his first name. We do not use titles because we believe all are equal in the sight of God and all Christians are priests. (Matthew 23:8-12; Galatians 3:26-28; 1 Peter 2:5-9) The sermon usually lasts 25 to 35 minutes and there will be references to scriptures as proof for what is being taught. At the close of the sermon, the preacher will explain what the Bible teaches is necessary to become a Christian and will encourage those who have carefully studied and weighed this decision to come to the front of the auditorium while a hymn of encouragement is being sung. We do not want our visitors to feel pressured during this invitation -- in fact no effort will be made to coerce anyone. If someone responds for baptism, you will witness the baptism during this service in keeping with the New Testament cases of conversion. (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12). Baptism is by immersion in water and for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) The Lord's Supper is observed every Sunday morning during our worship service just as the first Christians did. (Acts 20:7). During this part of the service, trays containing unleavened bread will be passed, followed by trays filled with small cups, containing grape juice (or ="fruit of the vine"). Each participant will break off a small piece of the bread and eat it. When the cups are passed, each participant will drink the contents of one of the cups. The bread symbolizes the broken body of Jesus and the fruit of the vine symbolizes His blood which He shed on the cross (1 Corinthians 11:23-35). The Lord's Supper is a memorial to His death on the cross. Also, if you visit on Sunday, plates will be passed to receive the financial offerings of the worshipers. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). We do not ask you, as a guest, to make a donation. Feel perfectly at ease in passing the collection plate on to the person sitting next to you. Offerings are collected on Sundays only. Nothing at all. You are welcome to participate, but don't feel any obligation to do so. We want you to feel perfectly at ease and comfortable in our services. You may be asked to fill out a visitor's card so we will know your name and address. This is so we can send you a note later to thank you for coming. If you prefer not to complete the card, don't be embarrassed -- just leave it blank. You will find the people who attend our service to be just like people everywhere. Some may be friendlier than others. Some will take a bigger part in conducting the services. You will soon learn that we have faults just as the average person. We do not assemble because we think we are better than other folks, nor do we profess that we have attained perfection. We are simply a group of people who recognize that we are sinners and that we need the saving grace that our heavenly Father offers us and for which His Son gave His life on the cross. (Romans 5:6-9) You won't have to hunt to see that we have weaknesses and shortcomings, but you will find people who love the Lord and love the Bible and who are striving for a home in heaven after this life is over. We sincerely hope you will feel welcome, and will visit us whenever you have the opportunity. |
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