Articles
What To Expect When You Visit Our Worship Services
- ABOUT US
The East Albertville Church of Christ is an independent, non-institutional, non-denominational group of Christians with the goal of serving God by solely using the Bible as our guide. The Christians who make up the East Albertville Church of Christ are not perfect, but our goal is to live for the One who died for us (1 John 2:6). Our model is the church that Jesus established, of which we can read about in the New Testament. Though as individual Christians we seek fellowship with all faithful members of the Lord’s church, the East Albertville Church of Christ maintains no organizational ties with other congregations, neither in our local area nor abroad.
The New Testament lays out a clear threefold purpose for the church: preach the gospel to all the world (Mark 16:15-16), teach its own members (Eph. 4:11-15), and provide for needy saints (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; 6:1-4; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 9). The East Albertville Church of Christ is made up of individual Christians working towards these same unified goals (1 Cor. 12:12-27). We strive to worship and serve God in the same way the early disciples did, with Christ as our only creed and the Scriptures as our only guide. We are simply a congregation, or church, of Christ. If this appeals to you, please visit us. We would be overjoyed by your presence.
We read in the New Testament that Christians regularly met together to worship God and study His Word. While all are greeted with equal courtesy and kindness (Acts 10:34-35; Gal. 3:28), we still realize that many people are hesitant to attend worship services at an unfamiliar church. To help alleviate any apprehensions you may have regarding this congregation, we would like to explain what you can expect when you visit with us.
- WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU VISIT
First, you will not be confused by many people speaking at the same time. Good order will prevail at every service (1 Cor. 14:33). If you are present on Sunday, you will observe the congregation eating unleavened bread and drinking the fruit of the vine by partaking of the Lord’s Supper to commemorate the death of Christ (Matt. 26:26-29). We do this on the first day of every week, as the Christians did in the first century (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17-34). Similarly, if you visit on Sunday, you will also observe a monetary collection to fulfill the work of the church. You will not find special collections taken at every service. Rather, you will observe that a collection is taken on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1-3), with members giving as they individually purpose in their hearts (2 Cor. 9:6-7). East Albertville is supported by the free-will offerings of its members. We do not ask nonmembers to financially support our work, nor do we engage in fundraising activities beyond what is clearly defined in God’s Word.
Like the first century Christians, a portion of our worship is dedicated to praising God by singing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19). God has commanded the sincere praise of His people to come from the heart (Col. 3:16). In order to respect the silence of the Scriptures, we do not provide instrumental music to accompany our singing.
The first century church also prayed together (Acts 1:14; 2:42). As result, we follow that same pattern today. At specifically appointed times during our service, you will find various men leading prayer, helping to direct the church’s thoughts as we offer thanks and petition our Father in heaven.
Lastly, you will hear the Word of God taught, with the Bible being the book to which we repeatedly examine. God’s Word is taught in various ways. For example, you will witness public reading of Scripture by various men (1 Tim. 4:13), age-appropriate Bible classes lead by appointed teachers (2 Tim. 2:15), and whole-church preaching by our evangelist (2 Tim. 4:1-5). Though the Old Testament is regularly studied (Rom. 15:4), special emphasis and focus is placed on the New Testament (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 1:16; Col. 2:14). We encourage you to read the Bible for yourself to ensure what spoken and taught remains in accordance with what God has said in His Word (Acts 17:11). We do not ask anyone for any sort of demonstration or testimony. Instead, you can quietly observe and study that which you see and hear (1 Cor. 14:40).
These spiritual activities are what you will find at East Albertville. It is our desire that all who participate in the worship service will be edified and strengthened in their service to God (1 Cor. 14:26). We do not provide recreation or entertainment in the form of playgrounds, dining festivities, or contemporary/modern concert-style musicianship, nor do we provide secular schooling or daycare for children. Simply serving God in accordance with His word is both our duty and our recreation.
We would love for you to visit with us. All who seek to know more about God and desire to follow Him are welcome at all of our services. You will find a friendly greeting, reverent worship, and teaching strictly from the Bible, all in love and unity with the goal of glorifying God and edifying one another. Please come and bring your Bible to search the Scriptures with us. If you do not have a Bible, we will be happy to give you one.
