INFORMATION FOR OUR FRIENDS VISITING THE GOSPEL MEETING
1. We are most happy you have come to these services. We meet regularly as you can see by our worship schedule.
2. We have one purpose and that is to be pleasing to God in all that we do and are.
3. It will be hard for you to follow what we do without a working knowledge of the Bible. If you are unacquainted with the Holy Scriptures, contact us and we will be happy to help you understand what is in this inspired book of books. If you did not bring a Bible you will find some copies on each pew of the church building. It will be the King James Version of the Bible. Feel free to pick up one and use it during the teaching part of the services. If at first you have problems finding the places you might want to write down the references and check on them later.
4. You will notice that we sing praises to God. Books are provided in the pews and the song leader will give the numbers so you can turn and sing with us. Since we are not a perfect people our singing might show some lack of knowledge as to how to sing. We recognize that we are weak here but real knowledgeable Christians will be doing their best to sing along with the leaders. The leaders will be doing their very best with the knowledge they have. We are trying to improve as we are in all of our services to God. Just remember that we are commanded to sing and make melody in our hearts to the Lord (Ephesians 5: 19 and Colossians 3: 16, 17).
5. Our prayers are led by one person because the Lord said "Let all things be done decently and in order" (I Corinthians 14:40). What you are to do is to privately and quietly be praying with the leader so that you can say "Amen" at its conclusion (I Corinthians 14:15, 16). God does not want spectator worship but participator worship. Sometimes those sincerely leading prayers do not speak up so they can be heard by all the audience. In this case you just talk to God yourself and pray for the leader who is violating I Corinthians 14:15, 16. This is telling us to pray so that we can be understood. We are exhorting people to engage in effectual, fervent prayers as righteous people so they will avail much (James 5:16).
6. On Sundays the Lord's Supper is observed and this is because Jesus told his disciples to observe it. He instituted it on the night of his betrayal and said, "this do in remembrance of me." (I Corinthians 11 :24-26). The scriptural example of when to partake of it is found in Acts 20:7 which states "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them..." Sunday is the first day of the week so we are carrying out what the Lord wants done by including the Lord's Supper in the worship. Sometimes our people are weak here in not letting our visitors know what is being done in the Lord's Supper but if you want to partake please remember the death of Jesus for the sins of the world as you partake. Your input can make it very meaningful for you.
7. Also giving is done on Sundays because the Lord told us to do this. He specifically said, "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." (I Corinthians 16: 1,2). This is each person's obligation so such opportunity is given.
8. In the front of the building there is a baptistery which is filled with water. This is because those who have not obeyed the Lord's plan of salvation are being taught to listen very carefully to the gospel so they can believe on Him. (Romans 10: 17). Believers are told "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). When one responds to the gospel call they are asked if they believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Acts 8:36, 37). Upon making the good confession they go down into the water and are baptized, then come up out of the water to go on their way rejoicing (Acts 8:38, 39). Baptism is obeying a form of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We die to the practice of sins in repentance then die to the guilt of sins in baptism. We are buried in the waters of baptism and arise from this to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-5).
9. Sometimes people who have been baptized continue in worship and service to God for a while but are overtaken in faults which are sins. Such need to be restored (Galatians 6:1, 2). Restoration is accomplished by repenting of the sin or sins (Acts 8:22), Confessing the sin or sins to God (1 John I :9), and praying for forgiveness (Acts 8:22). Christians who have fallen into sins are told "Confess your faults- one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." (James 5:16). Erring Christians respond to the invitation repenting of their sins, confessing their sins, and asking fellow Christians to pray for them and with them that they might be forgiven and restored to fellowship with God. .
10. In the vestibule there is a guest book for you to sign. Please put your mailing address so we can put you on our monthly mailing list of the bulletin articles and news of the area. If you need to respond to the gospel call do so this very day at this very service. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9).