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 An Introduction to Our Worship:
We welcome you to the Sunday morning worship service of the Peach Tree
Lane Church of Christ. If you have not worshiped with our congregation
before, here is some information to familiarize you with our service.
 Our style of worship is simple, patterned after the examples and teachings of the earliest Christians in the New Testament.
It typically lasts
approximately 60 to 75 minutes.
Feel free to sit anywhere...there are no reserved seats.
You are encouraged to fill out a welcome card and
drop it in the offering tray as it is passed among our members. This
information is for record-keeping and to thank
our guests for coming. You may also use it to request prayer, a home visit,
Bible study, or to provide other information to the elders
and ministers as you feel necessary.
Singing:
Our worship in song is without instrumental accompaniment.
Though not opposed to instrumental music outside the
assembly, we believe that
a cappella congregational singing conforms to the New Testament pattern of
worship. It also enhances everyone's personal
involvement in the worship. For more in-depth study on
this topic, please see our "Frequently
Asked Questions Concerning Worship."
Prayer:
There may be
several prayers during the service, led by various men of the
congregation, while others silently pray along with them. We offer prayers of
thanksgiving and praise, as well as lifting up concerns and
needs that we are aware of. You may make your needs known
and they will be included in our prayer lists.
Communion (The Lord's Supper):
We celebrate the Lord's Supper every Sunday. The first century church
celebrated this observance on the first day of the week. Jesus
established the practice of sharing the bread and the cup so Christians
might remember the sacrifice of His body and blood to make a new
covenant with God possible for us.
"While they were
eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave
it to the disciples, and said,
'Take, eat; this is My
body.' And when He had
taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying,
'Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.
But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from
now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's
kingdom.'" (Matthew 26:26-29)
During
this memorial, plates containing pieces of unleavened bread will be
passed throughout the congregation. Each Christian will take a piece of the bread
and eat it.
Next,
trays filled with small cups containing "fruit of the vine" (grape juice) will be passed around. Each
Christian will
drink the contents of one of the cups.
We
leave to each person the decision to participate in the Supper. If you
choose not to participate, feel free to pass
the plate or tray to the person next to you.
Offering:
Typically following the Lord's Supper, we provide an opportunity to
make an offering. This is the means by which our members make their
weekly contributions in support of our ministries. Occasionally, we
will also take a collection for special needs in our community or
throughout the world. As our guest you are welcome, but not expected, to
make a donation, especially if you are unaware of the church's intended use of
the funds.
Preaching:
The
sermon, which usually lasts about 25 minutes, is the time when the
"good news" of God's love and Jesus' redemptive life is proclaimed and
applied to our lives today. We believe you will find it encouraging,
relevant, and Bible-centered.
You will notice that the preacher doesn't have a title such as Pastor
or Reverend. He will probably be referred to as brother, mister, or,
just called by his first name. The term "Pastor" is from a Greek word that
is also translated "shepherd," and is used in the Bible to denote the
responsibility of the elder to provide guidance and safety for the congregation.
It is not an automatic title for the preacher, unless the preacher also serves as an elder.
The preacher
won't be wearing any ecclesiastical vestments (special robes), which
set him apart. The reason for this is our belief in the priesthood of
all believers. We affirm that all believers are priests and are equal in God's sight.
At the close of most sermons, the preacher typically extends an invitation.
This is simply a time to invite those who are moved to do so to make a
commitment of membership, be baptized into Christ, or request prayers.
The
preacher will encourage those who wish to "respond" to come to the
front of the auditorium, while the congregation sings a hymn. This is
not a time to feel uncomfortable; no one will be singled out in any
way. There may be several who respond, or there may be none. Some may
respond for baptism. Some may confess sins. Some may ask for prayer for
a specific need. Some may want to "identify" or "place membership" with
this church. If anyone responds for baptism, you will witness the
baptism during this service. The baptism will be by immersion and for
the remission of sin.
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