07/08/2023
West View Church of Christ 175 Gooder Simpson Blvd Piedmont, OK
Introduction to worship: We understand it is a big decision to begin attending worship or to visit a new church. We want everyone to be comfortable walking through our doors. Here is a brief preview of what to expect when attending our worship services at the West View Church of Christ in Piedmont, Oklahoma.
We conduct our worship in a simple and orderly way with respectful obedience to the details of the Bible’s New Testament. We understand the Bible is to be our only guide and want our worship services to be in "spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24, John 17:17). All who attend, adults and children stay together in the worship area, each learning and worshipping as we are able. What follows is a list of the items of worship we find in the scriptures, with a short explanation of each.
Singing: Since the New Testament commands Christians to “sing and make melody in our heart” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), we sing without the addition of any instruments of music. We express our devotion and thanksgiving to God as we make a “joyful noise” to the Lord (Psalms 95:2). Songs are selected from the songbooks that are at every seat. We hope everyone will be comfortable singing along.
Teaching: The teaching service will be conducted by men only, speaking one at a time, and is intended to strengthen, encourage, and comfort all in our walk with God (1 Corinthians 14:3, 31, 34). Open Bibles and Bible apps are encouraged so we can see and follow as scriptures are read, explained, and given application by the speaker.
Contribution: The collection or contribution is taken only at the Lord's Day morning service (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). At this time each disciple voluntarily gives money, “as we have prospered, or earned, and as we have purposed, or planned” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Guests are not expected to participate when the basket is passed but may do so if they desire.
The Lord’s Supper: Each Lord’s Day morning we observe the communion just as it was introduced on the night of our Lord's betrayal (1 Corinthians 11:23-29). The brother initiating the Lord’s Supper will make a few introductory remarks before giving thanks for the bread, a single loaf of unleavened bread that represents the body of Christ (Matthew 26:26). He will break off a small piece and eat it, in obedience of the example to “break bread on the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7). The plate holding the single loaf of unleavened bread will then be passed row by row so each member of the church who wants to participate can break off their small piece to eat. Anyone who declines to participate simply passes the loaf on to the next person.
Next, the brother initiating the Lord’s Supper will pick up the cup that represents the New Testament (Luke 22:20) containing grape juice that represents the blood of Jesus (Matthew 26:28-29). He will give thanks and drink a sip. Like the loaf, the single cup will be passed row by row for each person to drink or decline until the whole assembly has been served. This is the simple pattern given in the New Testament and repeated every first day of the week (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29).
Prayers: The prayers, led by male members of the congregation, are addressed to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17). Our prayers praise God for his greatness, offer thanksgiving for our blessings, address various needs of which we are aware, and request God’s continued watchful care over all.
To Become a Christian: At each service, at the end of the sermon, an invitation will be offered, and a song will be sung. Those wishing to become Christians are invited to step forward and let their desires be made known. One who believes in God (Hebrews 11:6, Romans 10:17), repents of their sins (Luke 13:3), confesses that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:37), and is immersed in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for the remission of sins, has the promise of the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 28: 18-19, Acts 2:38). Salvation is at the time of baptism since that is when sins are forgiven (Acts 22:16).
When we obey the gospel in this way, we become Christians (Acts 11:26) and are added to the membership of the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47) which is identified in the Bible as the Church of Christ (Romans 16:16).
The invitation is also a time when any member who has sinned publicly can come forward to request prayer for forgiveness (Acts 8:24, 1 John 2:1-2).
Please join us for worship at West View Church of Christ, 175 Gooder Simpson Blvd., Piedmont, OK 73078, as we follow the ancient pattern of worship given in the New Testament and practiced by the earliest Christians. Our worship is every Sunday at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
