What to Expect

We would love for you and your family to visit us at the Elizabethtown church of Christ. Please know as representatives of Christ, we pray for an opportunity to serve you.

What Happens When I Arrive?

You will be welcomed! Our leaders and members are eager to greet you and assist you by answering any questions you may have. You will also be guided to our auditorium or to one of our classes. If you would like additional information prior to your visit, we would be happy to speak with you. Please call 270-765-6446 or email info+etowncofc+org.

What should I expect during worship service?

Our worship services are quietly devout, designed to draw the worshippers closer to God and to enable each one to grow in knowledge and understanding of the will of Christ. When you visit one of our Sunday morning services, you can expect to participate in a worship service that adheres to the teachings of the New Testament (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When we assemble on every Lord's Day (Acts 20:7), we will worship God by:

• Praying: Prayers will be led by men of our congregation (1 Timothy 2:1-8, I Thessalonians 5:17).
• Singing: The whole congregation joins together in praising God through acapella singing, without the use of musical instruments (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). The words are available in our songbooks, as well as on a screen in front of the auditorium.
• Preaching: One of our ministers will present a Bible-centered lesson lasting about 30 minutes (Acts 2:42; Romans 10:14). Each lesson will be based on Bible scripture and incorporate real-life application.
• Communion: Every Sunday, our members commemorate Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, just as they did in New Testament times (Acts 20:7). We partake of unleavened bread, symbolizing the body of Christ, and drink grape juice, symbolizing the blood of Christ. We are led in thought by prayer as we reflect on Jesus' sacrifice for us.
• Giving: Members of the congregation contribute weekly to the work of the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). We honor God by giving a financial contribution from our blessings granted by God. As our guest, you are welcome to participate, but you will not be asked or expected to make a financial contribution.

We try to make every part of the worship as inspirational as possible, keeping in mind that we must not add to the basic activities of worship described in the New Testament. Thus, we do not:

• Sing with the mechanical instruments of music
• Pray to anyone other than our Heavenly Father
• Take up a collection on any day other than Sunday
• Partake of the Lord's Supper on any day other than Sunday
• Preach traditions, commandments, precepts, or doctrines of men

The Invitation

At the close of the sermon an invitation is extended to encourage anyone whose relationship with God and Christ is not what it should be, to come and give himself to the Lord in obedience to the gospel of Christ. At that time, the assembly stands and sings a hymn of encouragement. The invitation is extended for two types of persons: the one who has never become a Christian, and the one who is unfaithful and wishes to return to Christ. No one is ever pressured or embarrassed at this time.

We teach that to become a Christian, one must do what men were taught in the days of the apostles. We cannot assume that we can do anything less and become a Christian today. The New Testament teaches that one must:

• Believe in Christ (Mark 16:16; Heb. 11:6; John 3:16). Believing in Christ involves believing who He is (the Son of God) and believing what He says (in the gospel).
• Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 2:38)
• Confess faith in Christ as the Son of God (Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9)
• Be baptized for the remission of sins (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16;Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-5; Gal. 3:27; 1 Pet 3:21)

If one is an unfaithful Christian, having turned back to sinful things, he must return to God so he will not be lost. The New Testament also teaches how that is done:

• Repent of sins (Acts 8:22; Rev. 2:5)
• Confess sins (2 John 1:9; James 5:16)
• Pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:22; 2 Pet. 3:9)

What should I wear?

The only "dress code" for our worship services is that all are encouraged to dress modestly to follow the Bible. Some of our members will dress up and some members will dress more casually. What is most important to us is that you are choosing to worship with us, for which we are sincerely grateful!

What about my kids?

We welcome every member of your family! During our worship time on Sunday mornings, we offer an attended nursery for infants and toddlers. We also provide activity sheets each Sunday morning for children to draw on and take notes during the sermon. During our Bible class times on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, we offer classes from birth through adults.

Upon the conclusion of our service, we invite you to stay for a few minutes so that we might greet you, get to know you, and answer any questions you may have about who we are and how we worship and serve God. If you would like to meet with our eldership or schedule a Bible study, we welcome these opportunities to serve you and share our love of Jesus Christ with you!