What to Expect
Sundays
Our goal each Sunday is to exalt Christ by worshiping in spirit and truth (John 4:23). Therefore, truth permeates every aspect of our service so that our spirits may enjoy a deeper relationship with Christ. As we enjoy Christ through his Word, we naturally encourage one another in the faith (Heb.10:24-25).
We open each service by reading God’s Word and then respond by singing God’s Word—typically two songs at the beginning and one song at the end. Our goal is to choose songs that are biblically sound and congregational in nature (meaning songs that are biblically sound and congregational in nature, whether new or old). Before the sermon, one of our aspiring elders shares a brief devotional or “Word of Encouragement” from his heart with the goal to strengthen and encourage the church.
God’s Word is then preached expositionally and experientially (typically around 40 minutes). By expositional we mean preaching in such a way that the intended meaning of the text is “exposed” by careful study and presentation. By experiential we mean preaching that grows out of the preacher’s daily “experience” by personally applying the text he is preaching on to his own personal life. For a sermon to be Spirit-filled and effective, a preacher must be able to proclaim God’s Word from his own heart to the heart of the people. Exposition apart from experience breeds a cold gospel. Experience apart from exposition breeds a dangerous and heretical gospel. Both breed a warm, yet truthful gospel that has the power to save and transform. It is essential to us that both are present.
After the sermon and our final song, a benediction is given to bless the congregation as we dismiss.
The entire service lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Children on Sundays
We have a separate area for small children (birth–age four) to be cared for and taught the Bible while the service is going on. Our volunteers are equipped to teach, care for each child, and are background-checked. We encourage children ages five and up to attend service with their families. We do understand that each child may be at a different maturity level and are willing to work with parents in this area. For more information regarding our reasoning for this philosophy, you can read this article, Should Children Sit Through ‘Big Church’?, by Desiring God.
Midweek
I Timothy 4:8 tells us that while bodily training has value, our greater focus should be training ourselves in godliness. Therefore, our focus midweek is geared towards hands-on training and equipping. We seek to do this in a variety of ways: interactive small groups, equip classes, prayer meetings, etc. Whatever the setting, we desire to create environments for people to grow in their knowledge of God, strengthen their faith in God, and obey the Word of God, leading to godliness.