What to Expect

We welcome visitors!

Visiting a new church can be intimidating. When you’re our guest, you will never be asked to stand up and introduce yourself, or do any other activity that makes you feel uncomfortable. We’d just love to have you!  We would like for you to pick up a visitor card off the foyer table, and fill it out so that we have a record of your attendance and your contact information, but even that is not "required."  Please leave it on the foyer table, or just drop it in the collection plate when it comes around. Always feel free to ask anyone for help when trying to find a class or a worship service. You will find the people at Eastside are more than happy to help out!

We want you to feel comfortable when you visit us for worship services, so here is a brief summary of what you can expect when you visit.

What kind of people can you expect to find? 

We’re a diverse group, coming from varied backgrounds, and at different stages of knowledge and spiritual growth.  You will find people of all ages, races, and colors. We have business professionals, cowboys, oilfield workers, school teachers, stay-at-home parents, retirees, and the unemployed.  You will find happy people, grouchy people, friendly people, and less friendly people, huggers and hand-shakers,  loving people and possibly even a cantankerous person or two. Our congregation is made up of new believers who are babes in Christ, those that have been Christians for a long time, and everything in between. 

You get the picture. We are not perfect. We don’t know everything. We don’t do everything right. We don’t always treat each other as we should. We haven’t arrived – we’re just on the journey. But, you see, we are not a "club" of "holy people." We are a family of believers who were brought together by our recognition that we are all sinners in need of the cleansing blood of Jesus (Mark 2:17). That’s the reason we can worship together, stick together, and, with God’s help, accomplish some things that make a difference. You won’t have to look very far to find our failures. But, the bottom line is, you will find people who love Jesus and love the Bible. We love each other, and would like to love you too!

What should you wear? 

Just as our congregation is made up of a wide variety of people, we dress in all different ways. Some members are dressed up, and others are more casual. Sunday mornings tend to be a bit dressier than our Sunday evenings or Wednesday evenings, but even that varies.  You might find someone in a suit and tie, but you are just as likely to see one in Fire Retardant work clothes, or a t-shirt and jeans! The emphasis is not on how we look but who we are striving to be spiritually. Our desire is for you to experience a Christ-centered worship environment, Biblical preaching, and authentic fellowship that focuses more on your spiritual journey than on what you wear, so dress comfortably. Bring your friends and family!

Bible Classes:  We offer Bible classes on Sunday morning before worship and Wednesday evenings.  Bible classes are offered for all ages, ages 2 years and up. This gives each of us an opportunity to study the Bible with others of our age group. Only the Bible and Bible subjects will be taught in these classes.

Where do my children go during the Worship Service?

We do not have a separate "Children's Church."  Children stay with parents or guardians during worship services and enjoy a family style of worship. We believe that children learn in many ways, and that by attending worship, they are seeing our example.  They are encouraged to participate as age-appropriate.  A limited number of "Busy Bags" are available in the foyer for younger children to enjoy during the service if needed--just look for the "Kid's Korner."  Sermon note pages are provided for older kids to help them listen and participate. A "cry room" is located at the back of the auditorium for nursing mothers, diaper changes, and other child needs.  A speaker and one-way window allows those inside to still participate in worship while not being seen by those outside.

What happens during a typical Sunday morning service?

Our worship is fairly simple and designed to keep the focus on God, not ourselves.

Announcements: We usually start with a welcome and announcements--a brief listing of upcoming events and prayer requests.

Prayers: There will be several prayers during the service. There may be prayers for specific needs and requests. We are led by different men in our congregation (1 Timothy 2:1-8).

Singing: One of the unique things about the churches of Christ – and something you may find strange – is that the music is “a cappella.”  The whole congregation joins together in praising God in song without the use of musical instruments (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16). Since the New Testament never mentions the use of instrumental music, we simply believe it’s best to exclude it as well. You’ll find the singing meaningful, with everyone being invited to participate.   Our song leader will select a variety of songs, hymns, and spiritual songs, both older traditional and new ones too.  In case anyone is unfamiliar with one of the songs, the words are available in our songbooks and also on a screen in front of the auditorium. Many of our guests choose to join us in singing, while others prefer simply to listen as we worship.

Communion: If you visit on a Sunday morning, the Lord’s Supper (communion) will be included in the worship. The Lord's Supper service is a weekly reminder of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and we observe this memorial every Sunday (Acts 20:7). We remember Christ’s death by eating unleavened bread and drinking fruit of the vine (Acts 20:7). There will be short prayers before each memorial, and we sit quietly for a few minutes and reflect on how wonderful it is that God loved us enough to give his own Son for us! During this memorial, plates containing containers with pieces of unleavened bread and grape juice (fruit of the vine)  will be passed throughout the congregation (1 Corinthians 11:23-24). The bread represents the body of Jesus. The “fruit of the vine” symbolizes the blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:25). 

Communion is open to anyone who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you choose not to participate, don’t be embarrassed. Feel free to just pass the plate or tray to the person next to you. On Sunday evenings, communion is offered for those who were unable to participate during the morning service.

Giving:  Following the communion service, containers will be passed around to collect the weekly financial offering. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Those serving will also pass trash cans to collect your communion containers. This collection serves to support both the needs and activities of our local congregation, and our benevolence and mission work in the community and our world. As our guest, you are not expected to make a donation or offering. Feel perfectly comfortable in just passing the collection plate or container on down the row, or you can drop your Guest Card in the plate if you want.

Preaching/Teaching: You will notice that the preacher doesn’t have a title. He won’t be referred to as "Pastor" or "Reverend" (1 Peter2:9). We believe in the priesthood of all believers. Galatians 3:26-28 tells us all Christians are equal. Plain Bible teaching is the purpose of each sermon. On most Sundays, our preaching minister presents these lessons, though occasionally a guest speaker will guide our thoughts. Each lesson will take a Bible passage and explain what it means and how it applies to our lives. You will be able to sit quietly and follow in your own Bible as the lesson is presented. We believe the scriptures are sufficient for all teaching and we do not appeal to human creeds (2 Timothy 3:16). The sermon will likely be from 20 to 35 minutes. We think you will find it refreshingly Bible-centered.  

At the close of the sermon, the preacher will “extend an invitation.” This is simply a time to invite those who are moved to do so to make a commitment or request prayer support. He will encourage those who wish to “respond” to come to the front of the auditorium while the congregation sings a hymn. Don’t feel ill-at-ease during this invitation. You will not be singled out in any way. If anyone responds for baptism, you may witness the baptism during the service.

(Click here if you want more information about Salvation and Baptism.) 

What do we expect from you? Nothing at all! You are welcome to participate, but don’t feel obligated to. Just observe if that is your choice.  Feel free to ask questions if you have any.