 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Puyallup church of Christ 402 5th Street Southwest Puyallup, Washington 98371 (253) 845-6312 office@puyallupchurchofchrist.org |
What to Expect at Services
We welcome you to visit us at the Puyallup church of Christ. We want you to feel
comfortable, but we know an unfamiliar place can be intimidating. So, let us tell you
what you can expect when you honor us with a visit.
Bible classes are offered for all, ages 2 years and up. This gives each of us an
opportunity to study the Bible with other of our age group. Only the Bible and Bible
subjects will be taught in these classes.
Our worship services are held in what we refer to as the "auditorium." There will be
rows of chairs or pews for the worshippers. There are no reserved seats, so feel free
to sit anywhere you choose. Many of our members will come and introduce
themselves to you and welcome you here at our services.
What do we expect from you? 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 thank
you for your visit with us. Supply the information if you are comfortable doing so. Feel
free to decline this request if that is your preference. At the beginning of the sermon,
the preacher may introduce the visitors to the congregation. He will simply mention
your name and where you are from.
One of the first things you may notice about our worship services is that only men lead
it. Paul wrote in 1 TImothy 2:12 that "...I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise
authority over a man, but to remain quiet." In this verse, Paul was writing to TImothy
about the worship services and that women are not to lead the worship services.
There will be several prayers during the service. And, there may be prayers for
specific needs and requests.
In a bookrack near you, there will be a hymnbook for your use. When the song leader
announces a number, you can turn to that page number in the hymnbook to find the
words and music. One of the unique things about the churches of Christ - and
something you may find strange - is that the music is "a cappella." That is, 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.
Since the New Testament leaves instrumental music out, we simply believe it's best to
exclude it as well. We think you'll find the singing meaningful, with everyone being
invited to participate.
If you visit on a Sunday morning, the Lord's Supper will be included in the worship
proceeding - because the churches of Christ observe this memorial every Sunday.
Again, the reason for this is our desire to follow the New Testament teachings. The
first century church celebrated this observance on the first day of the week, as Acts
20:7 says, "On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break
bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged
his message until midnight." We assume from this that they did it on the first day of
every week. During this memorial, plates containing pieces of unleavened bread will
be passed throughout the congregation. Since 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 tells us, " For I
received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the
night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it
and said, "This is My body which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."" Therefore
the bread represents the body of Jesus. Each participating person will break off a
piece of the bread and eat it. Next, trays filled with small cups will contain "fruit of the
vine," usually grape juice, symbolizing the blood of Jesus because 1 Corinthians 11:25
says, "In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new
covenant in my blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."" Each
participant will drink the contents of one of the cups. If you choose not to participate,
don't be embarrassed. Feel free to just pass the plate or tray to the person next to
you.
Also, if you visit on a Sunday morning, containers will be passed around to the collect
the weekly financial offering. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Paul writes, "Now concerning the
collection for the saints, as I directed the churches in Galatia, so do you also. On the
first day of the week each of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that
no collections be made when I come." As our guest, you are not expected to make a
donation or offering. Feel perfectly comfortable in just passing the collection plate or
container on down the row.
You will notice that the preacher doesn't have a title. He won't be referred to as
Pastor or Reverend. He may be addressed as Dr., but only if he has earned that
academic credential, but most likely you will probably find him referred to as brother, or
just by his name. He won't be wearing any ecclesiastical vestments, which set him
apart. Because 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the
excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light," we
believe in the priesthood of all believers. All of us are equal as Galatians 3:26-28 tells
us, "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were
baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you
are all one in Christ Jesus." Plain Bible teaching is the purpose of each sermon. You
will be able to sit quietly and follow in your own Bible as the lesson is presented. We
believe the scriptures are sufficient for all teaching and we do not appeal to human
creeds because 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for corrections, for training in righteousness." The sermon
will likely be from 20 to 30 minutes. We think you will find is refreshingly Bible-centered.
At the close of the sermon, the preacher will "extend and invitation." This is simply an
expedient time to invite those who are moved to do so to make a commitment or
request prayer support. He will encourage those who wish to "respond" 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. There may be several
who respond, or none at all. Some may respond for baptism, or some to confess sins,
or some to ask for prayers for a specific need, or some to "identify" or "place
membership" with this church. If anyone responds for baptism, you may witness the
baptism during the service. The baptism will be by immersion, and it will be for the
remission of sins as Acts 2:38 teaches us, "Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of
you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you
will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.""
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 legalists and liberals - and a lot in between. You
will find happy people - and grouchy people. Friendly people - and unfriendly people.
Loving people - and cantankerous people. People who are babes in Christ - and
those that have been Christians for a long time. You get the picture. We're a diverse
group, coming from varied backgrounds, and at different stages of knowledge and
spiritual growth. We don't know everything. We don't do everything right. We don't
always treat each other as we should. We haven't arrived - we're just on the journey.
But, you see, we were not brought together by ant illusion of our perfection or
righteousness. We were brought together by our recognition that we are sinners in
need of the cleansing blood of Jesus, as Jesus said in Mark 2:17, "And hearing this,
Jesus said to them, " It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those
who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."" That's the reason we
can worship together, stick together, and, with God's help, accomplish some things
that make a difference. You won't have to look very far to find our failures. But,
bottom line, you will find people who love Jesus and love the Bible.
comfortable, but we know an unfamiliar place can be intimidating. So, let us tell you
what you can expect when you honor us with a visit.
Bible classes are offered for all, ages 2 years and up. This gives each of us an
opportunity to study the Bible with other of our age group. Only the Bible and Bible
subjects will be taught in these classes.
Our worship services are held in what we refer to as the "auditorium." There will be
rows of chairs or pews for the worshippers. There are no reserved seats, so feel free
to sit anywhere you choose. Many of our members will come and introduce
themselves to you and welcome you here at our services.
What do we expect from you? 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 thank
you for your visit with us. Supply the information if you are comfortable doing so. Feel
free to decline this request if that is your preference. At the beginning of the sermon,
the preacher may introduce the visitors to the congregation. He will simply mention
your name and where you are from.
One of the first things you may notice about our worship services is that only men lead
it. Paul wrote in 1 TImothy 2:12 that "...I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise
authority over a man, but to remain quiet." In this verse, Paul was writing to TImothy
about the worship services and that women are not to lead the worship services.
There will be several prayers during the service. And, there may be prayers for
specific needs and requests.
In a bookrack near you, there will be a hymnbook for your use. When the song leader
announces a number, you can turn to that page number in the hymnbook to find the
words and music. One of the unique things about the churches of Christ - and
something you may find strange - is that the music is "a cappella." That is, 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.
Since the New Testament leaves instrumental music out, we simply believe it's best to
exclude it as well. We think you'll find the singing meaningful, with everyone being
invited to participate.
If you visit on a Sunday morning, the Lord's Supper will be included in the worship
proceeding - because the churches of Christ observe this memorial every Sunday.
Again, the reason for this is our desire to follow the New Testament teachings. The
first century church celebrated this observance on the first day of the week, as Acts
20:7 says, "On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break
bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged
his message until midnight." We assume from this that they did it on the first day of
every week. During this memorial, plates containing pieces of unleavened bread will
be passed throughout the congregation. Since 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 tells us, " For I
received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the
night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it
and said, "This is My body which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."" Therefore
the bread represents the body of Jesus. Each participating person will break off a
piece of the bread and eat it. Next, trays filled with small cups will contain "fruit of the
vine," usually grape juice, symbolizing the blood of Jesus because 1 Corinthians 11:25
says, "In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new
covenant in my blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."" Each
participant will drink the contents of one of the cups. If you choose not to participate,
don't be embarrassed. Feel free to just pass the plate or tray to the person next to
you.
Also, if you visit on a Sunday morning, containers will be passed around to the collect
the weekly financial offering. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Paul writes, "Now concerning the
collection for the saints, as I directed the churches in Galatia, so do you also. On the
first day of the week each of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that
no collections be made when I come." As our guest, you are not expected to make a
donation or offering. Feel perfectly comfortable in just passing the collection plate or
container on down the row.
You will notice that the preacher doesn't have a title. He won't be referred to as
Pastor or Reverend. He may be addressed as Dr., but only if he has earned that
academic credential, but most likely you will probably find him referred to as brother, or
just by his name. He won't be wearing any ecclesiastical vestments, which set him
apart. Because 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the
excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light," we
believe in the priesthood of all believers. All of us are equal as Galatians 3:26-28 tells
us, "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were
baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you
are all one in Christ Jesus." Plain Bible teaching is the purpose of each sermon. You
will be able to sit quietly and follow in your own Bible as the lesson is presented. We
believe the scriptures are sufficient for all teaching and we do not appeal to human
creeds because 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for corrections, for training in righteousness." The sermon
will likely be from 20 to 30 minutes. We think you will find is refreshingly Bible-centered.
At the close of the sermon, the preacher will "extend and invitation." This is simply an
expedient time to invite those who are moved to do so to make a commitment or
request prayer support. He will encourage those who wish to "respond" 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. There may be several
who respond, or none at all. Some may respond for baptism, or some to confess sins,
or some to ask for prayers for a specific need, or some to "identify" or "place
membership" with this church. If anyone responds for baptism, you may witness the
baptism during the service. The baptism will be by immersion, and it will be for the
remission of sins as Acts 2:38 teaches us, "Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of
you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you
will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.""
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 legalists and liberals - and a lot in between. You
will find happy people - and grouchy people. Friendly people - and unfriendly people.
Loving people - and cantankerous people. People who are babes in Christ - and
those that have been Christians for a long time. You get the picture. We're a diverse
group, coming from varied backgrounds, and at different stages of knowledge and
spiritual growth. We don't know everything. We don't do everything right. We don't
always treat each other as we should. We haven't arrived - we're just on the journey.
But, you see, we were not brought together by ant illusion of our perfection or
righteousness. We were brought together by our recognition that we are sinners in
need of the cleansing blood of Jesus, as Jesus said in Mark 2:17, "And hearing this,
Jesus said to them, " It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those
who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."" That's the reason we
can worship together, stick together, and, with God's help, accomplish some things
that make a difference. You won't have to look very far to find our failures. But,
bottom line, you will find people who love Jesus and love the Bible.