What To Expect At Your First Visit
In this summary, we will try to give you, our prospective visitor, a general sense of the atmosphere and general layout of a Sunday service at LRCC. In short, the program consists of bible studies, followed by prayer led by the soldiers of prayer, worship, time to greet your neighbour, praise, liturgy reading,announcements, then the greatly anticipated preaching, tithe and offerings, and finally, the benediction closing prayer.
Our Sunday service is jam-packed with all the vital nutrients to inspire and refresh any believer or unbeliever. When you first arrive, you may be greeted and seated by an usher, but if the usher is busy attending to the needs of another visitor at the time, he or she will surely come greet where you have chosen to sit and give you any important details about the particular program, a brochure, and a visitor’s survey to fill out and be collected at the end of service. If you have any questions or concerns please do not be shy to ask the usher.
This visitor’s survey can also be filled out online. The survey provides the church with means of praying for the visitors by name, following up on you, taking any positive or negative feedback you may have written and applying it as necessary. Our service begins at 10:00 am with interactive discussion. Many churches have bible studies as a pre-service activity, but we like to integrate our bible studies discussion as part of the service. We encourage everyone to give their input and learn from each other.
We know that it is only by God’s word that we find the deeper truths about ourselves and the world around us (John 17:17); and when we unveil and understand those truths, the obstacles in our lives suddenly seem so much smaller and easy to conquer. Our bible study usually opens the service and lasts about 30 minutes.
- 01Next we really enjoy and value getting to know each other and so we take time to fellowship; time to find out how our brothers and sister are doing and what new things they may be experiencing. God loves unity and He loves when His children come together with peace and joy. (1 John1:7)
- 02Our service begins at 10:00 am with interactive discussion. Many churches have bible studies as a pre-service activity, but we like to integrate our bible studies discussion as part of the service. We encourage everyone to give their input and learn from each other. We know that it is only by God’s word that we find the deeper truths about ourselves and the world around us (John 17:17); and when we unveil and understand those truths, the obstacles in our lives suddenly seem so much smaller and easy to conquer. Our bible study usually opens the service and lasts about 30 minutes.
- 03Our Sunday service is jam-packed with all the vital nutrients to inspire and refresh any believer or unbeliever. When you first arrive, you may be greeted and seated by an usher, but if the usher is busy attending to the needs of another visitor at the time, he or she will surely come greet where you have chosen to sit and give you any important details about the particular program, a brochure, and avisitor’s survey to fill out and be collected at the end of service. If you have any questions or concerns please do not be shy to ask the usher.This visitor’s survey can also be filled out online. The survey provides the church with means of praying for the visitors by name, following up on you, taking any positive or negative feedback you may have written and applying it as necessary.
- 04Next we really enjoy and value getting to know each other and so we take time to fellowship; time to find out how our brothers and sister are doing and what new things they may be experiencing. God loves unity and He loves when His children come together with peace and joy. (1 John1:7)
Now that we have interacted with each other, it is time to dive deep into the presence of our Father, one on one. Before the singing and the preaching, the soldiers of prayer lead us with prayer topics and everyone is encouraged to pray concerning whatever the topic brought stirs up in them to pray for. Our prayer team is very enthusiastic and expressive. We encourage our visitors and members to pray as you feel comfortable. Our prayer time may feel quite different for those new to the experience, but just pray as you feel comfortable. The Lord knows each person’s heart and loves when we take time to confide in Him and share our feelings and ask for His help. (Psalms 34:17-18).
- 05Worship time comes after prayer. At LRCC, worship time is unique. We strive to use a diversity of songs: old, classic, new, contemporary, energetic and calm. Worship is like an intimate prayer between you and God, through the songs God’s qualities such as His awesome power, goodness and love can be meditated on. When we meditate on those things, God’s peace can wash over us and we can know God in a deeper way. Worship and praise is between 30 to 45 minutes.
- 06Offering time comes next. During this time, members and visitors can give to the Lord for the accomplishment of His purpose on earth. The bible says that the Lord loves a cheerful giver. The pressures of this world can cause us to cling to our finances for security, but ultimately the Lord has promised to provide for His children. The strength, the health and the sound mind that we have which make it possible for us to earn our wages is ultimately only because of God’s grace, protection and blessing upon us. Everything we have, it is God that has permitted us to achieve it, as the bible says: “For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given you.” (1Chronicles 29:14) Offering time is a form of worship, obedience and honour unto God. We give with joy and many like to dance their way to the offering stand to put in their substance.
- 07Our preaching is unlike any other. With an eldership that stays in-tune with the members and what God is doing in their lives, the messages are always up-to-date, practical and relevant to what the listeners need to hear. As the Bible says : “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work”
- 08At LRCC, we are believers who are “not conformed to this world” but whose minds are “renewed”. When there is a need for encouragement it comes in the preaching; when correction is needed, correction is given in the preaching. Our preaching gives respect to the history and context of each verse, chapter and book of the Bible so as to be as accurate as possible. Regardless of the message preached, we trust in the Holy Spirit to help anyone listening to get deeper understanding. Our pastoral team is always open to meet with anyone who has any questions concerning anything preached.
- 09Service ends with prayer which can be short and sweet or may be more extensive depending on the message that came, the needs of the people in service, the atmosphere and any directions God may have given to the pastor or preacher during service.
- 10Finally, our service is generally from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, but on special days we are flexible and allow the holy spirit to do His work. We know that when we put the kingdom of God first, all other things will be straightened and smoothed out in our lives.
Every service is unique and we invite you to come with an open heart and experience God’s presence.
