What to expect when you worship with us.

When you worship with us at Portland church of Christ you will find a fellowship of friendly, loving people who are trying to be “just Christians,” worshiping and living according to the pattern and commands of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament. The Bible is our only authority because, as the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Because the Bible is God’s Word, the Bible is our only guide, so when you visit with us you can expect things will be done according to New Testament example and teaching.

Communion – We observe and take the Lord’s Supper, communion, every Sunday. This memorial that Christ established at the last supper was observed by the early Christians on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), and we try to follow the apostles teaching and example by eating unleavened bread and drinking “the fruit of the vine” (grape juice) in order to remember His sacrifice, the body and blood of Jesus, which He gave for us. When we do this, we “proclaim the Lord’s death” until He comes again (1 Corinthians 11:26). In doing this, those who are Christians are following the command of Jesus (Matthew 26:26-29).

Singing – We sing praises to God each time the church gathers together. We delight in being able to speak to one another “in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in [our] heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). Colossians 3:16 adds that in singing in worship our voices are teaching and admonishing one another; the Scriptures tell us that the church is to sing! Therefore we sing out without instrumental music and with joy and praise each time we gather.

Prayer – We pray to God each time the church gathers together. Because we are God’s people, we rely on Him and pray to Him, knowing that He hears us when we pray (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 John 5:14). Prayer is vital to us not only in our worship services, but in our every day lives as we petition God to seek His guidance and blessing in the things that we do.

Bible Teaching – We teach and preach from the Bible. Just as surely as the people of Israel in the Old Testament worshiped God through the reading and explanation of God’s Word (Nehemiah 8:8), so the church today worships through the teaching and preaching from God’s word. In Acts 20:7, when the church gathered to partake of the Lord’s Supper, Paul preached to them. This teaching is intended to equip and edify the church (Ephesians 4:12) and to reveal to people how they can be saved (1 Corinthians 1:18, 21; 1 Peter 3:21).

Giving – We give back to God a portion of our earnings every Sunday as we have been blessed. We have collection boxes near the entrances so that the members of the Lord’s church can give as He has prospered us (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). We do this both because we have committed ourselves to follow Jesus and we are commanded to give (2 Corinthians 8:5), and the works of the Lord’s church is something in which we want to be involved.

We look forward to meeting you and having you worship with us!