WHO ARE WE

The churches of Christ are a people of restoration spirit, working to restore in our time the church of our Lord that we read about in the New Testament. We seek to go back beyond the denominations that have developed over time, to the simplicity and purity of the pattern we find in God’s word for the first-century church. It is our desire to “speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent”. We regard the Bible as the inerrant, inspired Word of God. (II Timothy 3: 16,17) No other creed, discipline, or manual, written by man is followed. Only by adhering to the scriptures can we truly have the unity that God desires and that Christ prayed for. (John 17)

Nicoma Park church of Christ is a congregation of Christians serving the community and seeking, engaging, and encouraging others through the life-changing message of the gospel! The congregation is a loving, friendly family that worships God, and serves others. We place a high priority on teaching from the Bible and following the example of Jesus.

We are undenominational and have no central headquarters or president. The only head of the church as the apostle Paul exclaims is Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:22-23) Each congregation of the churches of Christ is autonomous, and it is the Word of God that unites us into One Faith (Ephesians 4:3-6). Nicoma Park church of Christ is led by elders who shepherd and guide the family of God. (I Timothy 3, Titus 1)

WHAT TO EXPECT

We will welcome you with a warm and friendly greeting. Please dress as you feel is appropriate for worship to God. As far as what to wear, we have people who wear anything from jeans to dress clothes. Our worship is respectful and reverent as we seek to please God and draw us closer to Him and provide spiritual strength.

Our worship includes singing of hymns in praise to God and to encourage one another. We spend time in prayer. We remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus by partaking of the Lord’s Supper. The members give as we have been prospered. We also have a time of study of the Word of God.

VISION

Our vision is to impact the community of Nicoma Park and beyond with the transforming message of Jesus Christ by our example, our teaching, and our service to God and others.

EVANAGELISM AND TEACHING

We strive to teach our friends, family, neighbors and others that the “abundant life” is only found in Jesus Christ. We seek to build relationships with those in the community so that we may have a chance to share the Word of God. This is our mission.

Jesus told His disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all Amen. (Matthew 28: 19-20)

WORSHIP

GOD’S WORD. We regard the Bible as the inerrant, inspired Word of God! It forms the basis of all we do in our worship service and our spiritual lives. Expect to hear readings and or quotes from the Bible often. The scriptures represent the mind of God and deserve great honor and respect. There are no other rule books, creeds, or disciplines used in our worship and practice. The only way to be pleasing to God and consistent with His will is to follow the teachings that were given to the writers of the Bible who were guided in their writing by the Holy Spirit. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

SINGING. God chose the avenue of vocal music to be used in worship to Him. Through congregational singing, everyone can pour out their hearts in praise to God. The music God chose is Acappella, meaning in the “manner of the church”. Christians in the first century and for several centuries thereafter only offered Acappella music in worship to God. God has commanded us to sing using the instrument of the human voice to praise Him. The example and the authority from God’s word is to sing. Nowhere in the New Testament or in the history of the early church do we find example or teaching to play a mechanical instrument. The apostle Paul gives this instruction to the disciples in the following references. “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5: 19-20) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3: 16)

PRAYER. There will be several prayers during the service. The early disciples “continued steadfastly in prayer”. (Acts 2: 42) Jesus taught his disciples to pray and the writers of the New Testament have much to say about prayer. We have the privilege as Christians to address God and come before His throne in prayer to express praise, thanksgiving and to make our requests known to Him. One of the men will lead in prayer as we bow and follow along thinking about what is being expressed to God.

THE LORD’S SUPPER (OR COMMUNION). We take communion each Sunday, following the New Testament’s pattern of the Lord’s Supper. The early church broke bread each first day of the week. (Acts 20:7) The Lord’s Supper consists of unleavened bread representing Christ’s body and the fruit of the vine representing Christ’s blood. We are commanded to remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and to do this in memory of Him until He comes. “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (I Corinthians 11: 23-26)

GIVING. Immediately following the Lord’s Supper (Communion), there is an opportunity for members to give as they have been prospered in the previous week. As our guest, we do not expect you to give. Giving is a way to express our gratitude for God’s blessings. We are commanded to give on the first day of the week. (I Corinthians 16:1-2) This contribution is used to further the work of the church and the spread of the gospel.

PREACHING. During our worship, you can expect to hear a “Bible-based” lesson from God’s word. Our local minister or guest speaker will present a message that will be approximately 25 to 30 minutes to encourage and exhort us in our walk with God. At the end of the sermon we stand and sing following an invitation that is offered to anyone who needs to express a desire to “obey the gospel” or ask for prayers.

CONCLUSION. If there is anything that we can further explain or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask one of us or contact us today. May God bless you as you seek to follow Him.