What’s a worship service like here? In many ways what we do is simple. At the Decker Prairie Church of Christ we sing, pray, observe the Lord’s Supper, and hear a sermon out of the Bible. Worship usually runs about an hour and 15 minutes.
Acts 2:42, the Shape of Our Sunday
Luke gave a one-sentence snapshot of the first church in Jerusalem: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (). That’s the outline we’re following when we meet. We haven’t added a band, a skit or a program on top, because they didn’t have one. What you’ll see on a Sunday is a congregation of ordinary families trying to do what those Christians did.
Ephesians 5:19, Why You’ll Hear Only Voices
Paul described Christians “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (), and he wrote nearly the same thing to Colossae (). So we sing. All of us, together, with nothing playing underneath. The word for that is a cappella, and it’s simply voices on their own. This is a latin based term that means “in the style of the chapel.” History reveals this is how singing was done in worship for the first 700 plus years of church history.
One of the men leads each hymn, and the words will be right in front of you. You’re welcome to join in or just listen.
1 Timothy 2:8, a Man Leading Us in Prayer
A few times in the hour, a man stands and leads the whole room in prayer (). The rest of us bow and pray with him silently. You won’t be asked to say a word.
1 Corinthians 11:24 and Acts 20:7, the Table Every First Day
Then comes the Lord’s Supper, sometimes called communion. It’s unleavened bread and a small cup of grape juice, and we take it for the reason Jesus gave: “Do this in remembrance of me” (). We do it every Sunday because the early Christians gathered on that day for it: “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them” (). In that verse, “to break bread” most likely means the Lord’s Supper. Early church writings also reveal this weekly practice.
Acts 17:11, a Sermon You Can Follow in Your Own Bible
Sermons in churches of Christ usually run 25 to 35 minutes. Our regular preacher is Brent Moody, but sometimes other men of the congregation give sermons as well. Usually a text is read and explained. You’ll see folks around you thumbing through their own Bibles to keep up. Luke said of the people of Berea that “they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (). Bring a Bible and do the same with us.
Acts 2:38, the Song After the Lesson
When the sermon’s over, we sing what’s called the invitation song. Anyone who wants to respond can come to the front then, some to be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins (), and some to ask the congregation to pray for them. Most Sundays nobody comes. Staying in your seat is what almost the whole room does.
1 Corinthians 16:2, a Collection That Isn’t Yours to Worry About
“On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper” (). Paul wrote that to members of a congregation in Corinth. It is one example of how believers helped needy saints and the spread of the gospel of Jesus. Our members do the same. We do not expect visitors to contribute their money. Many of our people give online, but we also pass a plate around each Sunday. There is no pressure for you to give anything.
Ephesians 4:11-16, Where Bible Class Fits
Bible classes are separate from worship, and their whole purpose is building one another up in the faith (). In many churches of Christ they meet before worship on Sunday morning, for about 45 minutes, and on Wednesday evenings class is usually followed by a brief worship period of ten or fifteen minutes. Our Sunday class meets at 5pm instead, so a morning visit here is worship alone. On Wednesday our class is at 7:30 pm. We welcome children to join us in worship. We want them to join in with us as we praise God.
Finding Us on Hardin Store Road
Our building is easy to miss the first time. We’re at 25903 Hardin Store Road in Magnolia, about half a mile east of FM 249. Watch for our sign at the only road leading in, then follow it around the corner. Park in the front lot. When that fills up, there’s a second lot in front of the portable.
Someone will meet you at the door with a handshake. Sit wherever you’d like. Nobody here asks a visitor to stand or give a name, and if there’s a visitor card, it’s yours to fill out or leave blank. Once the last prayer’s done, expect a few people to come say hello.
Find Your Place Among Us
So many people keep busy all week and still feel like something’s missing in their life. If that’s you, you’re not the first to walk in feeling it. Read Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 11 for yourself, then come spend a Sunday morning with a church family that’s trying to live the way those first Christians did.
Plan your visit and you’ll have the directions in hand before Sunday.
To read what the Bible says about becoming a Christian, start here.
When we meet:
- Sunday: Worship 10am, Bible Class 5pm
- Wednesday: Bible Class 7:30 pm
