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We have started meeting in our building Our services consist of the following items:Singing We follow the New Testament example of a cappella singing, that is, without the aid of musical instruments, and singing from our hearts. Several times in his letters, Paul encourages his readers, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20). We sing as a congregation throughout our worship services, choosing songs that help us prepare our minds for the various other aspects of our worship. We also try to live by the words we sing. Prayer We use prayer as a way to talk to our Father, God. Even though he knows our needs, we use prayer to express our dependence on his blessings. We remember to ask God for his assistance with not only the needs of those of our congregation, but also for the needs of our friends and other people that many in our congregation may not know, but have a concern for their wellbeing. When we pray, we not only request God's help for physical concerns, but also for spiritual concerns. Sermon During our worship services on Sunday we have an opportunity to listen to a message from God's Word. Some contend that the Bible is outdated, but we believe the Bible is as applicable today as it was in the first century. In our Sunday morning Bible class at 10:00 and on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 we study the Bible in depth. Our studies are either on subjects that concern us all or on particular books of the Bible and are designed to help all participants better understand the Bible and how we can live better by its message. Lord's Supper (Communion) From the New Testament we find that the early Christians observed the Lord's Supper on a weekly basis (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:20-26). We observe the Lord's Supper because Jesus instituted it shortly before his death. He offered unleavened bread as a way that we would be reminded of the life he lived on this earth for us. He offered juice of the fruit of the vine (wine/grape juice) as a way that we could remember the blood that he shed at his death on the cross for our salvation. Offering We have an offering each Sunday as was the practice in the first century. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to make a weekly collection to help those Christians in Jerusalem who were having a hard time financially (1 Corinthians 16:2-3), to give as they had been prospered (not a particular amount or percentage), and to give cheerfully from the heart. Members of our congregation are encouraged to follow this practice — guests at our congregation are not expected to make a contribution. Invitation Each time we meet together an opportunity is provided for anyone present to bring personal concerns or problems before the congregation for prayer and support. This is also an opportunity for personal obedience to the teachings of the New Testament, including a personal confession of faith that Jesus is the Son of God and baptism for the remission of sins. Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website. www.dowagiaccoc.org |