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What to expect when visiting

Thank you for choosing to be our guest. We want you to feel welcome and blessed, so let us share with you what you may expect when you honor us with your presence.

Brief History

We are a part of The Restoration Movement. Our goal is to "restore" the New Testament church in our time--to determine from the Bible what the church was like in the beginning, and to be like that. We believe this is a worthy and reverent goal.
We want to be a Bible-centered church, and we try to be. Our practices are formulated by commandments, inferences, and examples given in the Bible. We're a diverse group, coming from varied backgrounds, and at different stages of knowledge and spiritual growth. We don't claim to know everything, but we do know that God is the source of all truth, and we strive to worship Him reverently and according to His will.
When you visit for worship, here is what you may expect:

Where do I Park

We have set aside multiple visitor parking sights near the front of the building. This will give you easy access to a warm welcome. We also have several handicap sites that are well marked only a short distance from the side and back door. We also have valet parking available on Sunday mornings before worship service.

Greeting

When you arrive at the door, you may expect to be warmly greeted and given a worship bulletin. These special greeters will also be available should you need help finding your way around our building. We want to make you feel part of the Walter Hill Family. There is no assigned seating in our place of worship - so feel free to sit wherever you feel most comfortable. Services begin with a greeting and end with congregational announcements. You will be invited to fill out an attendance card. Choosing to fill one of these out means that we will be able to write or call you in order to thank you for your visit.

Singing

One of the unique aspects of our worship is that the music is "a capella"; that is, we sing without the accompaniment of musical instruments. In singing, we praise God and encourage one another (see Colossians 3:16). You are invited to participate to whatever extent you feel comfortable. We believe you will find this to be an especially meaningful part of our service. Songbooks are available for your use in a bookrack fastened to the back of the chair in front of you. Or, if you prefer, the words and music to the songs are shown on a screen at the front of the auditorium.

Prayers

Prayer is another important aspect of our worship in as much as we believe that God's power is available through prayer (see James 5:16). Public prayers will be led at various times during our worship.

Communion

Every Sunday we participate in a communion service (see Acts 20:7). This memorial service, instituted by our Lord, involves two elements: unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (see Matthew 26:26-29).

Following a prayer, plates with unleavened bread will be passed throughout the congregation. The bread symbolizes the body of Christ. Each one participating in this memorial will take a piece of bread and eat it.

Then, following another prayer some trays containing small cups filled with grape juice will be passed around. The grape juice represents the blood of Jesus. Each participant will drink the contents of one cup.

You may choose not to participate. Feel free to pass on the plate or tray to the person sitting next to you. This communion service is one way we are encouraged to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross.

Giving

Although not a part of the communion service, a collection is usually taken up at this time (see 1 Corinthians 16:2). As our guest, you are not expected to make a donation. Feel free to simply pass the collection plate on to the next person.

Sermon

The lesson, about 30 minutes in length and will be strongly centered in the Bible. Feel free to take notes so that when you get home you can refresh your memory from the word of God. Or, if you wish, we would be happy to provide an audio CD of the lesson free of charge. At the close of the sermon, we offer an invitation to any who might be encouraged to publicly respond to the lesson by coming to the front of the auditorium while the congregation stands and sings an invitation song. Some come forward requesting prayers for spiritual strength. Others come to confess sin. Occasionally, one might respond to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (see Acts 2:38). In such a case, you will witness their confession of faith and baptism into Christ.

Bible Classes

After the worship service you are invited to stay for a Bible class. We offer several adult classes with different topics. The bulletin will give you the current topics. One adult class even meets in the auditorium so you don't even have to go anywhere. We also provide youth classes for children 6 months old to 12th grade with appropriate content. For the youngest we provide the parent with a beeper when you drop off your child so you can be contacted if needed. These classes generally start at 10:20am and end at 11:05am.

What is Expected of You?

Nothing at all! You are welcome to participate, but don't feel obligated to do so--just observe, if that is your choice. We would love for you to stay after worship services for a few minutes, if you can. We would enjoy getting to know you.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight."
"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body." "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;" "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
"Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."