It's not always easy to enter an unfamiliar church for worship the first time, especially if one goes alone. Let's face it: that first church visit can be intimidating or uncomfortable!
Most of us who have been reared in the Christian tradition, however, think that we ought to go to church; that church participation is the "right thing to do"; and that churchgoing pulls us closer to God in many important ways. But worship is more than doing what is appropriate. It is a core way of embodying the ministry of Jesus the Christ. A ministry that was centered on bringing together those who have been (or at least feel) left out by the broader world. The community gathered for worship IS the body of the risen Christ.
So what might one expect when worshiping at Timothy Christian Church (DoC)?
1) A WARM WELCOME. We are called by the Spirit and are thus excited to gather together to worship God. The presence of each person, household, family, is important to the worship experience. When you are gone, you are missed, even if you have never been here before.
2) A "TRADITIONAL" SERVICE. The general shape and flow of the worship service might feel like many other Christian Worship experiences. Many of the hymns will be traditional to our setting here in North Carolina and are hopefully familiar to most. Although we do try to learn new tunes from time to time. We encourage interaction and participation in the liturgy. As part of the Christian Church (DoC) tradition we tend to be rather rational and think religion is as much a matter of the mind as of the heart & soul.
3) A BULLETIN. The bulletin guides us in our worship. It contains page numbers or text for prayers and responses as well as the scripture readings so that the congregation might more fully participate. It is also handy for taking notes and doodling if the Spirit stirs in that way.
4) THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER EVERY SUNDAY. We have come to understand that communion (Eucharist, Lord's Table) is the center point of our worship experience. It is in the Spirit and through the Christ that we have come into a full relationship with God. So we proclaim that Jesus' ministry and message is gathered up in the experience of the Bread and Cup. The table is open to all who have, or are seeking, a relationship with God through Jesus. It is a place of remembrance (Jesus' ministry and message), a place of fellowship (with each other), and a place of promised hope (proclaiming God's intentions for a transformed world).
5) LEADERSHIP IN WORSHIP AND CONGREGATIONAL LIFE BY MEN, WOMEN, YOUTH AND CHILDREN. We believe that everyone is loved by God and all are called to service in the Realm in a wide variety of ways. Although we strongly believe that the men of the church need deep involvement in Christian leadership, so do the women. A person's gender, or age, will not be reason for excluding a person from any role in God's Realm come near.
6) A SENSE OF COMMUNITY & TRANSFORMATION. God calls us to gather regularly for worship. If you are not a participant in the life of a Christian congregation, we invite you to find community at Timothy Christian Church (DoC). Oh--if you are concerned about what to wear, some in our church family dress up and some are more casual. If you are comfortable with what you wear, then so are we.
Ultimately, we all come just as we are and we are sent forth re-imaged in God.
Most of us who have been reared in the Christian tradition, however, think that we ought to go to church; that church participation is the "right thing to do"; and that churchgoing pulls us closer to God in many important ways. But worship is more than doing what is appropriate. It is a core way of embodying the ministry of Jesus the Christ. A ministry that was centered on bringing together those who have been (or at least feel) left out by the broader world. The community gathered for worship IS the body of the risen Christ.
So what might one expect when worshiping at Timothy Christian Church (DoC)?
1) A WARM WELCOME. We are called by the Spirit and are thus excited to gather together to worship God. The presence of each person, household, family, is important to the worship experience. When you are gone, you are missed, even if you have never been here before.
2) A "TRADITIONAL" SERVICE. The general shape and flow of the worship service might feel like many other Christian Worship experiences. Many of the hymns will be traditional to our setting here in North Carolina and are hopefully familiar to most. Although we do try to learn new tunes from time to time. We encourage interaction and participation in the liturgy. As part of the Christian Church (DoC) tradition we tend to be rather rational and think religion is as much a matter of the mind as of the heart & soul.
3) A BULLETIN. The bulletin guides us in our worship. It contains page numbers or text for prayers and responses as well as the scripture readings so that the congregation might more fully participate. It is also handy for taking notes and doodling if the Spirit stirs in that way.
4) THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER EVERY SUNDAY. We have come to understand that communion (Eucharist, Lord's Table) is the center point of our worship experience. It is in the Spirit and through the Christ that we have come into a full relationship with God. So we proclaim that Jesus' ministry and message is gathered up in the experience of the Bread and Cup. The table is open to all who have, or are seeking, a relationship with God through Jesus. It is a place of remembrance (Jesus' ministry and message), a place of fellowship (with each other), and a place of promised hope (proclaiming God's intentions for a transformed world).
5) LEADERSHIP IN WORSHIP AND CONGREGATIONAL LIFE BY MEN, WOMEN, YOUTH AND CHILDREN. We believe that everyone is loved by God and all are called to service in the Realm in a wide variety of ways. Although we strongly believe that the men of the church need deep involvement in Christian leadership, so do the women. A person's gender, or age, will not be reason for excluding a person from any role in God's Realm come near.
6) A SENSE OF COMMUNITY & TRANSFORMATION. God calls us to gather regularly for worship. If you are not a participant in the life of a Christian congregation, we invite you to find community at Timothy Christian Church (DoC). Oh--if you are concerned about what to wear, some in our church family dress up and some are more casual. If you are comfortable with what you wear, then so are we.
Ultimately, we all come just as we are and we are sent forth re-imaged in God.