As you come into our presence on Sunday or Wednesday, some of you may be asking yourself, “Who are these people?”  We hope that you will have all of your most significant questions answered during your time with us.  We can answer some of your questions right now.  We are, in many ways just like you.  We too worry about how our children will grow up.  We also have frustrations with our jobs.  Most of us know what it feels like to live in less than perfect marriages.  But how are we different?
 The shortest and most complete answer is that we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  Now, that is more than religious propaganda.  We can take all our concerns, those listed and many more, to Jesus and know that God is intimately involved with our lives.  So, while we are similar to you in many ways, we are different in that we have this hope that no one but God can offer.  Now that things are on the table, we hope that you will let us tell you the story.  It is a story of hope and love.  It is our story.  Will you make it your story? Back to the top

Church Background
A brief description of our background may help you understand us. We are part of "The Restoration Movement." Our goal is to "restore" the New Testament church in our time--to determine from the Bible what the church was like in the beginning, and to be like that. We believe this is a worthy 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.  Now, let us walk you through a worship service.
There may be some variations from this description, because every church of Christ is autonomous, self-ruled, and independent. Back to the top

The Setting
Some churches of Christ meet in homes or rented facilities.  However, most, for the sake of convenience, have erected a church building. You will enter what we refer to as the "auditorium."  There will be rows of chairs or pews for the worshipers.  There are no reserved seats, so feel free to sit anywhere you choose. Back to the top

Singing
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 number in the hymnbook to find the words and music.
One of the unique things about 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.  It has its roots in our restoration heritage.  We are seeking to worship according to the New Testament pattern.  Since the New Testiment leaves instrumental music out, we believe it's best to exclude it too. (1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:18,19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12). 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'll find the singing meaningful, with everyone being invited to participate. Back to the top

Our Prayers
There will be several prayers during the service.  And there may be prayers for specific needs, and requests.

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Preaching
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.  He will probably be referred to as brother.  Or Mister.  Or, possibly, just called by his first name.  He won't be wearing any ecclesiastical vestments which set him apart.  The reason for this is our belief in the priesthood of all believers.  That all are equal. (Matthew 23:8-12; Galatians 3:26-28; I Peter 2:5,9). The sermon will likely be from 20 to 30 minutes.  We think you will find it refreshingly Bible-centered.  

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Our Invitation to you
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 support.  He will encourage those who wish to "respond" to com 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.  Some may respond for baptism.  Some to confess sins.  Some to ask for prayer for a specific need.  Some 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. (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:12)  And it will be for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38)  

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Lord's Supper
If you visit on a Sunday morning, the Lord's Supper will be included in the worship proceedings--because churches of Christ observe this memorial every Sunday.
Again, the reason for this is our desire to follow New Testament teaching.  The first century church celebrated this observance on the first day of the week. (Acts 20:7)
We assume from this that they did it the first day of every week.  And we know from respected historians that in early centuries the Lord's Supper was an every-Sunday commemoration. (Neander, Eusebius)
During this memorial, plates containing pieces of unleavened bread will be passed throughout the congregation.  The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)  Each participating person will break off a piece of the bread and eat it.
Next, trays filled with small cups will be distributed.  The cups will contain "fruit of the vine" usually grape juice, symbolizing the blood of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)  Each participant will drink the contents of one of the cups.
If you chose not to participate, don't be embarrassed.  Feel free to just pass the plate or tray to the person next to you.  

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Offering
Also, if you visit on a Sunday morning containers will be passed to collect the weekly financial offering. (1 Corinthians 16:1,2)
As our guest, you are not expected to make a donation. Feel perfectly comfortable in just passing the collection plate on down the row. 

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What Will Be Expected Of 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. Supply the information if you are comfortable doing so. But feel free to decline this request if you prefer. 

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The People
What kind of People can you expect to find? Pretty much the entire spectrum, as in any group. You will find traditionalists--and you'll find those who prefer anything new over everything old. You will find those of us who mistake our traditions for absolute truth, and get pretty bent out of shape when they are tampered with. And you'll find those of us who are a bit smug at having been liberated from tradition. You will find legalist and liberals--and a lot of people in between. You will find happy people--and grouchy people. friendly people--and unfriendly people. Loving people--and cantankerous people. People who are
learning--and people who already know everything. You'll find us to be like the little West Texas community that has a billboard at the edge of town which says, "The Home of 3,000 Friendly People--And A Few Old Soreheads." 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 any 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. (Mark 2:17; Romans 5:6-9; Ephesians 1:9; 1 John 1:7) 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. 

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Who are the churches of Christ?
We are a group of people drawn together by a common faith in Jesus Christ and the love for each other in worship and service. It is a free fellowship in that only those who choose to be, are members of it. The members wear no name except Christian; yet we do not claim to have attained everything that name represents.
Members of churches of Christ want to restore in our time New Testament Christianity. We search the scriptures to see what the church was in its beginning. We strive to recover the essence of the original church. Therefore, we go back beyond denominationalism to the simplicity and purity of the first century church. Because of that, we are free, independent, self-governing congregations under Christ alone. He is the head with no denominational affiliation or earthly headquarters, though we recognize a particular closeness to other churches of Christ. Bible study is a priority as we continue "steadfastly in the apostles teaching..." Acts 2:42. We want to plant the same seed, the Word of God, Luke 8:11, that first century disciples planted. While we do not claim to be the only Christians, we are striving to be Christians only, as they were. We teach that nothing should be required of people as acts of faith except that which is evident in the scriptures. We feel we do not have the right to ask for peoples allegiance to a human organization--but only the right to call upon people to follow God's blueprint. We are not interested in man-made creeds, but simply in the New Testament pattern. We do not conceive of ourselves as being a denomination--nor as Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish--but simply as members of the church which Jesus established and for which He died. And that is why we wear His name. The term "church of Christ" is not used as a denominational designation, but rather as a descriptive term indication that the church belongs to Christ. 

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Other Links
Churches of Christ : Goal -- to unite the churches of Christ worldwide in one accord.
Chicago Area Churches of Christ - find churches all around the Metro Chicago Area

Nottingham Church of Christ is in the East Midlands of England. A simple informative page with several links.
South Side Church of Christ , Grand Rapids, Michigan.  My former home congregation. A well put together homepage.
Grandville Church of Christ / Home Page A neighbor of the South Side congregation.

Madison Church of Christ  Home to 3000 disciples of Christ.

West Chicago Church of Christ - A well laid out website

Freedom's Ring - A place for those moving from legalism to God's grace.  A monthly newsletter, complete books, and past articles are available.
Another Church of Christ web site:  Faith Matters or Woodmont Hills. Feel free to surf around these sites.

HeartLight - Internet Magazine is dedicated to providing positive resources for daily Christian living.

Bible Search :  A Website that encourages open, honest examination of the Bible so that we all might know, believe and obey the truth.
New Testament Church Series by J. Spender.  This series of messages was delivered in 1984 at West Woods Bible Chapel, 165 Hillfield Road, Hamden, CT 06518, United States of America.

Beechwood Hills Camp - Michigan .  A place that provides youth camps and family camping in a Christian environment. Located in the Western Michigan area.

Rockford Christian Camp.  Youth summer camp in the Rockford, IL area

If you'd like to see a specific link here, please let me know.
 

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