Sundays

10:00 AM – Bible Study

Every Sunday we come together and open the Bible in order to improve our understanding of God’s word and to better understand His plan for our lives.  Bible study is a great way to explore the Bible and ask questions about the Bible and spiritual questions. The study is open to all, and we have classes for all ages.

Worship Service – What to Expect When You Visit

11:00 AM & 6:00 PM

Jesus says that God is seeking “true worshipers” (John 4.23 ESV). In fact, He goes on to say, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4.24 ESV). Worship services with the Livingston church of Christ is based upon the idea of authentic worship is directed to God based upon the plan set forth in the New Testament that is pure and simple a sacrifice of our lips and the expression of our hearts.

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. (Hebrew 13.15 ESV)

There are a few things that we participate in as part of our worship service. Here are a few things to know.

Congregational Singing

When it is time for the congregation to sing praises to God, we practice what is called A cappella singing (means “in the manner of the church”). We sing praises to God unaccompanied by instrumental music. This is based upon the deep conviction that this is what God wants: simple unvarnished praise from the heart

be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5.18-21 ESV)

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3.15-16 ESV)

Congregational Prayer

Praying to God is typically a private act of worship and communication to God (Matthew 6.5-13), but when the congregation comes together we select certain times during our service for congregational prayer.

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling. (1 Tim. 2.8 ESV)

I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also. (1 Corinthians 14.15 ESV)

The Lord’s Supper – A Memorial Meal

From the very beginning of Christianity, the meal that Jesus Christ gave to His followers to memorialize the basic tenets of the Faith has been observed weekly upon the first day of the week (Acts 20.7). Other groups may practice this memorial once a month, quarterly, or even once a year; however, following the New Testament as our only guide the memorial is a weekly observance to proclaim the Lord’s death until He returns (1 Cor. 11.26). The elements which make up the elements of this meal are unleavened bread and grape juice (“fruit of the vine”).

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26.26-29 ESV)

Note: Sometimes there is a confusion by our visitors if they should participate, but we do not prohibit anyone from sharing with us in this memorial meal.

Financial Fellowship

We believe that all that we have and are capable of are gifts from the Lord above (James 1.5). Every Sunday we  come together and participate in a free-will financial giving. This is an aspect of our worship given to God as an expression of our love for others which are manifested in a variety of ways (2 Corinthians 8-9).

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (1 Corinthians 16.1-2 ESV)

Note: Sometimes there is a confusion by our visitors if they should participate, but we do not request or expect visitors to financially contribute to our fellowship.

Proclamation of God’s Word

God’s Word has always been a publicly shared message. Within the Scriptures, we read from Genesis to Revelation a declaration of the Lord’s expectations of His creation, the promises of care and protection of a loving Father and God is shared, and the warnings – both earthly and eternal – are set forth for immoral living. Paul says it this way, “knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others” (2 Corinthians 5.11).

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20.24-27 ESV)

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. (2 Corinthians 5.9-11 ESV)