Gospel meeting with Carl Johnson – July 21-28, 2024
Everyone is welcome!
Worship services will be:
Sunday, July 21st at 10:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday at 6 p.m.
Sunday, July 28th at 10:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m.
What to expect….
We would love to invite you to worship with us, but we understand that being in an unfamiliar place can be intimidating at times. We want you to feel comfortable and welcomed at our congregation and we’ve provided the following information to help you understand what to expect when you visit Temple Church of Christ.
Background
The church that was established at Pentecost, in 33 A.D., just 50 days after Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-12). Throughout the generations, man has altered virtually every aspect of Christs church, including its teachings, it’s worship and its practices.
Many churches today do not worship according to the instructions and patterns written in the New Testament. Today, you will find many different religious organizations, each claiming to uphold Biblical teachings and practices, yet each teaching contrasting doctrines. This is confusing for anyone looking for a place to attend worship.
Our goal is to give scriptural evidence for our teaching and practices, that you might make a comparison between what the Bible teaches and what we practice.
Setting
When you arrive, you’ll be greeted with a smile. Feel free to sit anywhere, and introduce yourself to anyone you wish.
Assembly
Our worship is very simple, just as the worship of the early church. The church, it’s worship and its doctrine has always been simple (2 Corinthians 11:3).
In our worship, families worship together rather than being divided into classes or groups. This best keeps in harmony with the pattern of the early church. 1 Corinthians 14:23 “the whole church be come together into one place”
Singing
Our song service may seem different from what is customarily practiced in some modern churches. All the singing will be “acapella,” which means there will be no use of man-made instruments. The word “acapella” comes from the Italian phrase alla capella, “in the manner of the chapel,” or “according to the chapel.” In other words, acappella music follows the oldest church traditions of unaccompanied vocal music dating back to the very first churches in 33 A.D.
We look to Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 for the command to sing and make melody in your heart. The New Testament makes no mention of instrumental music in worship. Because of this we feel it would be an addition to God’s will. You will find a song book in the rack on the benches feel free to follow along when the song leader announces a page number, if you know the song feel free to sing along with the congregation.
Prayer
There will be several prayers during the service. These will be led by a brother that has been selected. Examples of prayers found in the New Testament are of praising God, for thanksgiving of blessing, interceding for others, and petition Him for our needs. Philippians 4:6, and Jesus’ example of prayer Matthew 6:9-13.
Teaching
The teaching will be done by a brother at the appointed time. You will notice he has no title or special religious garments to set him apart, as mentioned in Matthew 23:8-12. You’ll also notice that women have no leadership rolls in the service. This is not because we feel women are inferior, but because of God’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 14:35.
The sermon will be based on sound doctrine, and designed to instruct or encourage in ways of righteousness. Our goal is to present sound Biblical teaching so that all can be edified (built up) by the Word of God.
Invitation
At the close of the sermon, an invitation will be offered. This is a convenient time when any number of desires can be expressed by members of the audience. There may be someone that wishes to obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8), maybe a member wishes to confess a sin (as the scriptures encourage in James 5:16), or request prayer for a specific need.
We understand that this may be a time in which some feel uncomfortable, or pressured to publicly express their will to repent and commit their life to the Lord. It is not our intention to cause discomfort or anxiety, but we do hope and encourage anyone to obey the gospel call when they fully understand that Jesus Christ paid for their sins and everyone must obey the gospel in order to become a Christian.
If you choose, you may step forward during the invitation song, and inform the speaker that you wish to obey the gospel, or that you ask for prayers from the congregation.
You will always be treated with love and respect, and will never be singled-out or embarrassed.
Communion
If you visit on Sunday morning, we will observe the Lord’s Supper or Communion, just as we understand it to have been done on the night our Lord introduced it to his disciples in Matthew 26:26-28, Luke 22:19-20.
There is also something different you will notice here also. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 we have instructions on how to observe the Lords Supper. Notice that in the instruction there is a single cup and a single loaf used. By that example we also use one cup of grape juice and one loaf of unleavened bread.
The brother attending the table will pray for The Father to bless the bread, break a piece from it, eat, and pass it on to the next person until all that wish to participate have “broken bread”. Afterwards he will take the cup, pray for The Father to bless it, take a small drink and pass it to the next person until all that wish has drank from it.
By observing the Supper in this manner we have a common union or communion one with another. If you chose not to participate feel free to pass the plate or cup to the person next to you.
Contribution or Collection
We will never solicit money from anyone visiting our worship services. The focus of our service is to offer worship to God and to edify (build up) everyone present.
The Church is financed by the contribution of the members, and a collection is taken up only during the Lords Day (Sunday) morning worship service according to the teaching found in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:7.
As a guest, you are not expected to participate in the contribution, but feel free if you wish to do so. You will not find us soliciting money through special offerings or any other fund raising activities.
Everyone is welcome!
We hope that this bit of insight helps you understand more about our congregation in Temple, Georgia and that you also feel welcomed to join us in worship to God. If for any reason you are not able to attend our gospel meeting, you are welcome to join us for worship every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. EST.
“The churches of Christ salute you.” (Romans 16:16)