When
You Visit
You are invited to visit us at the Northview church of Christ
anytime. We want you to feel comfortable, but we know an unfamiliar
place can be intimidating.
We're a diverse group, coming from varied backgrounds, and at different
stages of knowledge and spiritual growth. We don't claim to know everything,
but we do know that God is the source of all truth, and we strive
to worship Him reverently and according to His will.
Following is a brief description of what to expect when you visit
us on a Sunday.
Bible
School
We offer informal Bible study classes at 9:00 am for all age groups.
A current list of classes can be found in the foyer and on this website.
There will be greeters present as you enter to assist and direct your
family to the proper classes. Children classes are age appropriate
from nursery through sixth grade. Our 7th -12th graders meet together
in our youth room. Our adult classes have coffee and snacks available.
The first 15 minutes are used for fellowship, to take prayer requests,
and basically to build relationships among our members and visitors.
Worship Setting
Our 10:15 worship service is conducted in our six hundred seat auditorium.
Our average attendance is about 250 at this time. (5/08). Currently
we are using the front half of our auditorium for worship and the
back half is serving as our fellowship area. We have individual chairs
arranged in rows facing the stage. There are no reserved seats, so
feel free to sit anywhere you choose. At a given time, children, ages
2 - 1st grade, are dismissed for "Children's Worship" at
the parent's discretion. In addition, there is always a staffed nursery
available.
Singing
We use a large screen that displays the words and music to all the
songs we sing. "Praise & Worship" songs, as well as
many of the old time favorites, are sung to glorify God. Song books
are available in the bottom rack of the chairs as well.
One of the unique things about our church is that we choose to sing
a cappella - without the accompaniment of musical instruments. It
is a beautiful and pure form of worship, as the entire congregation
joins in harmony to sing songs of praise to our lord.
This form of worship is consistent with the scriptures you'll find
concerning music in New Testament worship (1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians
5:18, 19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12). It is also historically
accurate, as the first documentation of instruments in worship was
not until the 600's.
Everyone is invited to participate and be a part of the biggest choir
in town every Sunday, as God truly becomes the only audience.
Prayers
We will conduct several prayers during the service. At the close of
worship, an elder will offer a prayer for special needs and requests
that have been submitted on cards handed out during the service.
Preaching
We don't refer to our pulpit minister by any given title, such as
reverend. He won't be wearing any ecclesiastical vestments to set
him apart. The reason for this is that the Bible teaches in the priesthood
of all believers, that we are all equal (Matthew 23:8-12; Galations
3:26-28; 1 Peter 2:5-9).
The sermon will likely be from 20 to 30 minutes long. We think you
will find it refreshingly Bible-centered. We strive to make it a positive
message that will encourage you in your daily walk with God.
Invitation
At the close of the sermon, the preacher will extend an invitation.
This is simply an expedient time to invite those who need to do so,
to come forward and publicly confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior
and submit to baptism. Some may come forward to just pray. Others
may ask for a public prayer for a special need, or forgiveness of
something they feel convicted about.
If someone does respond to put on Christ in baptism (Gal. 3:26), you
will witness the baptism at that time. The baptism will be by immersion
(Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12) and takes place in our
baptistery at the back of our stage area.. Many prefer to wait to
have their baptism done in a more private setting, with close family
and friends. Any time is appropriate, day or night.
The Lord's Supper
The Lord's supper is observed every Sunday. This is also consistent
with New Testament teaching, as the first century church celebrated
this memorial on the first day of every week (Acts 20:7).
During this memorial, plates containing unleavened bread will be passed
down your row. The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus (1 Corinthians
11:23-25). Each Christian will take a small, individual cracker to
eat at that time.
Next, trays filled with individual small cups will be distributed.
The cups will contain the "fruit of the vine" (grape juice)
to symbolize the blood of Jesus. Each Christian will drink the contents
of one of the cups and place it back in the tray.
Scriptures and pictures are typically projected on our screen, which
relate to the cross and the sacrifice Jesus made for us. This is a
very reverent and quiet time in our service, where everyone is encouraged
to reflect on their personal relationship with God.
Our communion is open to anyone. This is between you and God. If you
choose not to participate, don't be embarrassed. Feel free to just
pass the plate or tray on to the person next to you.
Offering
As part of our weekly worship service, we will pass plates 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.
What is Expected of You
Nothing at all! You are welcome to participate, but don't feel obligated
to do so. Just observe, if that is your choice.
We would like for you to fill out the tear off portion of the bulletin
you will be handed when you enter the foyer. This simply provides
us information so we can write or call to thank you for your visit
and be made aware of your particular needs. Supply the information
if you are comfortable doing so. You may put the sheet in the offering
plate as it is passed by, but feel free to decline this request if
you prefer.
We would love for you to stay after worship services for a few minutes,
if you can. We would enjoy getting to know you.
