What To Expect
We welcome visitors and want you to feel at home. Following is a brief description of what you may expect when you visit our worship.
Our Meeting Space and Church Family
We are a small and informal church family. We value simplicity and do not own a large building. Our space at 25 16th Street NE is rented, and we have a sizable area to gather for worship along with classroom and office space. Our group consists of people from many different walks of life. Recently several new babies have been born to parents at Oak Tree, so we are particularly family-friendly. If you come from a church background with more formality, it may feel different to experience church in another environment, but bear in mind that many of the early churches actually met in people's homes and public spaces. Church-owned buildings and everything that goes with them came much later.
Sunday Worship
We usually start with some announcements and then begin the worship service with a prayer. The order of activities is not identical every week, but each of the following elements will be included.
- Songs. Singing is an important part of worship—it's a way that we express ourselves to God and also a way to encourage each other. We feel that it's important for the whole group to participate in singing rather than just listening to a small group of performers. We find a place both for traditional hymns and contemporary songs.
- Prayers. Praying is one of the most important opportunities for spiritual growth that God offers to us, but it's also far too easy to neglect. Praying together as a group is a source of strength for the group, just as personal, private prayers are a source of strength for the individual.
- Scripture Readings. Sometimes we will read a passage from the Bible as a call to worship, an introduction to the message, or just as valuable instruction on its own.
- Lesson. Usually we will hear a sermon or message during the worship service. These messages drawn from the Bible are directly applicable to modern life, dealing with the spiritual struggles and issues that people face every day. We do not have a paid, professional preacher (though we don't believe it's wrong to have one). Many of the early Christian teachers were volunteers who maintained regular jobs. Currently a few members of our congregation share the teaching responsibilities, and we find that teaching is in fact one of the most effective ways of learning something yourself.
- Communion. Just before Jesus was crucified, he celebrated the Passover meal with His followers. He took some of the elements of that meal (unleavened bread and wine) and asked His followers to continue sharing them regularly as symbols of the sacrifice that He was about to make. This observance is called communion because it's a deeply meaningful statement of our common faith. We share it each week when we meet to worship.
- Offering. We believe that developing a giving heart is an essential part of following Jesus. Much giving is not financial, but for those who are able to give financially (which is most of us in this nation), it's a discipline which helps us to remember what's really important—and it also enables the church to carry out its ministries. Towards the end of our worship assembly, a collection is taken. Visitors are not at all expected to participate, and members give only what they choose to—there is no compulsion in Christian charity.
Bible Study
Following worship services, we have Bible study classes available for all ages. For adults, these may either be centered around a particular book of the Bible, or they may focus on a topic of interest and include material from various parts of the Bible. We have additional studies which take place at other times depending on interests and the time of year, including home Bible studies and a ladies' study group.
Other Activities
We are a close, family-oriented group, and we enjoy fellowship outside of our worship assembly. At least once a month we share a meal together after worship, and we regularly get together at other times to play games, eat and enjoy one another's company.