Come Back
So, it may seem odd to read an article about returning for another visit when this is, perhaps, your first time here. But there is a valid reason for making this request, which is that, although you might see the general “lay of the land,” there are things you probably won’t see with just one visit. A famous radio broadcaster used to say concerning his show, “You need to listen for six weeks (it was a daily program) to get an adequate understanding of what goes on here.” Since he was on the air three hours a day, the total listening investment would have been 90 hours. We’re not asking for quite that much. How about just four Sundays? You might ask, “Are things so vastly different from week to week?”
No. Any time you come, you will be invited to sing with the congregation various songs, hymns, and spiritual songs. We do not have choirs and soloists. We all sing—whether our voices sound terrific or terrible. Prayers will be offered as part of our worship. You will hear a message that lasts about thirty minutes. The Lord’s Supper is served each Lord’s day, and it is preceded by a few thoughts to consider while the unleavened bread and fruit of the vine is being distributed. Then, there is the weekly offering, but do not be concerned about that. Nobody invited you here to plead for your money. While we would not discourage a visitor from giving, the collection is actually for the members who have a commitment to this congregation. Each year we publish a budget so that all may know where the money is being spent (transparency). You need not feel guilty for not giving anything today, You are our honored guest.
What may be different each time you visit is the content of the message. You can be sure that it will be Bible-based. Whoever is presenting the message may examine a text from either the Old or New Testament, in which case the subject matter could vary considerably. A text might be historical in nature, devotional, informational, fundamental, or thought-provoking, Take King David, for instance. His psalms truly present a devotional side; his personal interactions with others are edifying, and his deeds as a warrior are wondrous. But if your only glimpse of David was while he was cutting off Goliath’s head (as one preacher pointed out), you might not feel very inspired. Likewise, you might not be impressed with one or two visits here—especially if we are dealing with a false doctrine, but if you return, you will likely find a different emphasis next time.
At any rate, we are happy to have you with us today. We hope you find the message on the family helpful. If you are interested in a Bible study, we have several available, including one you can do by yourself at home. Please ask questions if you are curious about something. And, above all, come back and be with us again.