WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY
Our service has three distinct parts.
- Praise
- Fellowship
- Bible
PRAISE
The first part includes all ages. We offer no kidmin or youth services during this time. We believe kids learn best through what is modeled for them. Parents are the primary teachers kids have so it only makes sense for them to learn how to worship from their parents. (though we have experienced it the other way at times—where the parents learn from their kids as well. Little in this world is as pure as the adoration that comes from a child) We practice what we call “Communion by Intention” (see below)
FELLOWSHIP
After the worship set is finished we invite everyone to “Eat and Greet” time. It is a sort of intermission to check kids into the Kidmin for their classes and get to know one another a little better. Some people opt to stay in the sanctuary, some head to the lobby for a snack and drink and to stretch their legs.
BIBLE
We finish our worship with teaching from the Word. This part is fairly standard from what you have experienced in churches you have been to before. We welcome everyone back with announcements, recite the Lord’s Prayer together and God’s word is preached.
We are glad to have you join us today and hope this was a helpful roadmap for the service today. We would love to get some contact information from you, if you are willing. If so, please fill out the contact card by the visitor wall and drop it off at the information station (we will trade you for a small welcome gift!) If you have any questions please feel free to contact Pastor Aaron,
phone: 417-529-8702
email: aaron@gracecommunitychurch.net
COMMUNION BY INTENTION
Christians partake of Holy Communion in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus that was broken and poured at the cross. Taking Holy Communion not only reminds us of his suffering but also shows us the amount of love Jesus had for us.
Here at GraceCommunity we practice what we call “communion by intention.” It is a normal experience here to see people walking forward during the worship service to take communion. Typically, Evangelical churches will pass the communion trays down the rows at a set time in the service. However, Paul offers a warning in 1 Corinthians to not take communion without having examined oneself first.
“Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.”
-1 Cor 11:27-29
We invite people to come, when they are ready, to take communion any time during the service. Some will take it back to their seat, some will kneel there at the stage to pray or use the front row of chairs to sit. That part of the expression is up to each individual.
We provide both prepackaged communion for those who want to limit contact as well as traditional communion.
Our desire is for each person to have an opportunity to give the Lord’s supper the attention and weight it deserves as a sacrament of the church.