What to Expect When You Visit

​We want you to know first that we consider it an honor that you have come to visit with us.  We will strive to extend to you a warm welcome each and every time you come to worship with us.  Because we want you to feel comfortable as you worship with us, let us tell you what you can expect when you visit.
 
Source of Our Guidance
We are people who hold the Bible as God's word and as the only source of our faith and practice. We simply desire to be a loving, Christ­-centered church so we emphasize the need to study the Bible and adhere to the teachings of Christ and the inspired writers of God’s word.
 
With the above in mind, let us now walk you through a worship service of the Oak Hill congregation.
 
The Setting
We have moved into our new building which opened in 2021. When you come in, please make yourself at home; sit where and with whom you please. Please be sure and let us know if you need help with anything at all.
 
Singing
One of the unique things about us and most other churches of Christ is that the music is sung “a cappella.” That is, we sing without the accompaniment of musical instruments.  Why do we do this?   Scripture teaches that in New Testament worship instrumental music was not used, only vocal music.   The New Testament churches apparently did not use instrumental music and who better to emulate than the very people that walked with and learned from Jesus, the head of the church?  We hope you will find our singing meaningful and joyful to be a part of. 
 
We provide song books at each seat for you to use and follow along.
 
Lord’s Supper (Communion)
If you visit on a Sunday morning, the Lord’s Supper will be included in the worship service. The reason for this is our desire to follow a New Testament pattern. The first century church is noted to have celebrated this observance on the first day of the week. And since the first day of the week is Sunday, every Sunday we remember the sacrifice of Jesus just as scripture instructs.  First century historians also tell us that in the early centuries the Lord’s Supper was an every Sunday commemoration.  Again, is there not a better example than those who were instructed by the Master?   
 
Offering
At some time during the Sunday morning service a collection will be taken up. Scripture also teaches us that Christian giving is a command of the church so we gladly give from our hearts each first day of the week.
 
Preaching
Our preacher has training in Bible knowledge and experience in delivering a message from God’s word.   His sermon will be Bible centered and likely last from 20 to 30 minutes.  This is not the “main event” of our worship service, but it is our time to open up God’s word and study it in order to be more knowledgeable and able to share God’s word with others.
 
Prayer
The Oak Hill congregation, like most, believes strongly in the power of prayer.  What an awesome thing it is to be able to spend time talking to the most powerful, all knowing God that created everything we have and tends to our every need.  We spend time in prayer in every worship service we conduct.
 
What Will Be Expected Of You?
You are welcome to fully participate in our worship to God.  As our honored guest, we want you to feel welcome and apart of the service so join in if you feel comfortable doing so. 
 
We trust you will find that everything we do is in accordance with God’s word and instruction.  If you do visit with us and you would like to better understand why we do what we do in our worship, you can ask any member and they will be able to help you in that endeavor.  We are simple people with a desire to please God.  We hope that will be evident when you visit.

What We Believe

GOD
We believe that there is one eternal, almighty God who created the universe and continues to sustain His creation. (Deuteronomy 6:4 | Genesis 1-2)
 
JESUS
God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to live as a man and die on a cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus rose to life again on the third day, ascended back into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God. He destroyed death and we await His return to bring the final victory over sin and death so we can live with Him eternally. (John 3:16-17 | 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 26 | Ephesians 1:20)
 
HOLY SPIRIT
Until Jesus returns, He gives all who believe and have been baptized in water, the Holy Spirit, as a helper and a pledge of the inheritance that awaits us. (Acts 2:38 | Ephesians 1:13-14)
 
HUMANITY
We believe that the earth and all of humanity lives in a fallen state since rebelling from God. We are broken people, struggling with sin, and in need of healing and restoration. We believe that healing comes through Jesus Christ. (Genesis 3 | Romans 3:23 | Romans 5)
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SCRIPTURE
We believe the Bible (Old Testament & New Testament) is the inspired word of God and it contains all the instruction we need for righteous living in this world. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 | 2 Peter 1:21)
 
SALVATION
In the Bible we find God’s redeeming plan of salvation in which sinners are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Saving faith involves turning from sin, confessing belief in Jesus Christ as God’s Son, and immersion in water for the forgiveness of sins. (Ephesians 2:8-9 | Romans 10:9-10 | Acts 2:38 | Romans 6:1-7)
 
WORSHIP
In the Bible we also find the expressions of acceptable worship to God. Each Sunday we worship God by: praying together (Acts 2:42), singing a capella (Ephesians 5:19 | 1 Corinthians 14:15), preaching God’s Word (Acts 2:42), sharing communion in the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7), giving of our financial means. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
 
PURPOSE
We believe that God has called us to continue His plan of bringing salvation to the ends of the earth. We do that by spreading the message and story of Jesus Christ. Our ultimate goal is to glorify God in everything we do. (Matthew 28:18-20 | 1 Corinthians 10:31)