Inside INC: About worship service

What a member should know about the worship service, offerings and if a member wants to attend other local (what will you do).
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Worship Service

Twice a week the Church of Christ holds a congregational service. This is normally done every Thursday and Sunday (some local churches, mostly in the West, have Wednesday or Friday services instead of Thursdays). There are occasions when the Church observes special worship services on days other than Thursdays and Sundays.

You are required to attend these assemblies. The Bible says: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of Some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)

The Lord God shall expect your presence in the house of worship every worship service day:

"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." (John 4:23)

What activities comprise our worship service?

Our worship service begins with congregational singing led by the choir members and ends with the benediction.

This is the order of activities during a regular worship service:

*Congregational singing

*The sermon

*Prayer

*Collection of offerings

*Doxology

*Benediction

You are expected to participate in all these activities during the service. That you may perform them with dedication:

You are supposed to arrive early at the chapel every worship service. You should participate at the very first hymn to be sung by the congregation. Sing with all your heart and soul.

*While the sermon or the Study of God's words has not begun yet, be at peace in meditation and silent prayer.

*Open your heart during the assembly's prayers, whoever may be leading. Please stand properly and close your eyes all throughout the prayer. Remember that we stand in the presence of God, therefore we should act with extreme reverence. Indicate your participation by responding at proper intervals with "Yes, Father or "Amen."

*Follow intently the course of the preaching of the words of God. Strive hard against falling asleep and against other hindrances to receiving the message. The best question you can ask yourself, to guide you during the study, is: "What is God's will that I should be doing?" thus, your efforts will be concentrated at fully understanding the message at hand.

*Your contribution must he prepared in advance, so that during the collection you may give it as a voluntary offering and not as something forced on you. Do this act with all your heart and soul.

*During the worship services, as mentioned before, you stand in the presence of God; not as a spectator in a theatre audience but as an active participant-- as a worshipper. You are there to please God for all His goodness to you and to offer worship. He waits for you to entrust all your troubles and anxieties unto Him; and it is when you worship that He is ever willing to answer all your pleadings.

*It is only befitting that you stand in deep reverence before God. Your entire appearance, including your attire, must compliment the holiness and majesty of our God. The finest and most appropriate clothing we possess must be worn when we worship God.

*Likewise, when we walk, sit, and stand inside the house of worship, we must be truly dignified. Please follow the instructions of the deacons and deaconesses who are charged with orderliness of the occasion.

*Avoid any damage to any part of the chapel and do not litter.

*Yet, if beyond the physical cleanliness that must be accorded the worship service, should be the spiritual purity, that is, of our lives. Be earnest to achieve a righteous way of living you have been taught, so that the worship you offer shall always be pleasing to God.

*Every worship Service must result in the strengthening of your faith. Thus, every time you attend, you should feel the power of God that will fortify you amidst your weaknesses, comfort you in times of sorrows and miseries, encourage you to overcome all trials and make you endure in your calling.

All these you shall experience when you steadfastly devote yourself in worshipping God and when you fully prepare yourself to receive God's abundant blessings.

About the offering

The giving of offering or construction in the Church of Christ is not a rule created by the ministers but it is the will of the God. It should not, however, be given like alms for the poor.

Every member of the Church of Christ is responsible to give offerings. Do this with all your heart, willingly, and joyfully.The offering should be saved and set aside. Do not offer only what is in excess or whatever is left of the money you earned after spending it for yourself.

As you budget your personal needs, be more concerned about setting aside you offering to God.It is likewise the duty of the Church of Christ members to perform thanksgiving to God and to bring thanksgiving offerings every end of the year.

We have to prepare our thanksgiving offering for one year. Be like many members of the Church of Christ who save regularly through the Church's system. This is the most convenient method, because without realizing it, we are able to save.

Attending other locale

If you shall happen to attend in another locale, you should obtain a certificate of attendance from the secretariat of said locale. They will ask your name, the locale where you are registered, and the number of the district and group you are assigned to.

Please provide the information requested, for these will appear in the certificate of attendance. Do not lose this certificate because you are expected to turn it in to your group leader when he visits you. He will definitely visit you if you are unable to attend the services in your locale. Be joyous about this, for it is a proof of care and interest for your welfare.

from a post of a member on incworld.faithweb.com