[Editor's note: The following compilation, which serves as an introduction to a first-time visitor, comes from the page, "Our Services," of the Somers Avenue congregation in North Little Rock, Ark. This good church has supported our efforts in Brazil for several years.]

When you enter what we refer to as the auditorium, there are no reserved seats, so feel free to sit anywhere you choose.

In a bookrack near you, there will be a hymnbook for your use. When the song leader announces a number, you can turn to that number in the hymnbook to find the words and music. One of the unique things about churches of Christ is that the singing is a cappella. That is, we sing without the accompaniment of musical instruments. This is a conviction with us, not just a preference. We are seeking worship according to the New Testament pattern (1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12). We think you will find the singing very meaningful, with everyone invited to participate.

There will be several prayers offered throughout the worship. There may be prayers offered for specific needs or requests.

During the Sunday morning worship, the Lord's Supper will be included. We observe this memorial every Sunday. Again, the reason for this is our desire to follow New Testament teaching. The church of the New Testament celebrated this observance on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

During this memorial, plates will be passed throughout the auditorium containing pieces of unleavened bread. The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus Christ which he gave on the cross (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). Each Christian will break off a piece of bread and eat it.

Next, trays of small cups filled with the "fruit of the vine" (grape juice) will be passed. This symbolizes the blood of Jesus shed on the cross (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). Jesus commands Christians to do this "in remembrance of me" (1 Corinthians 11:24).

Following the Lord's Supper, plates will be passed to collect the weekly financial offering. This too is according to New Testament teaching (1 Corinthians 16 :1-2). As our guest, you are not expected to make a contribution. You are welcome to, if you choose, but feel perfectly comfortable just passing the collection plate to the next person.

As you would expect, there will be a sermon delivered by the preacher. This sermon will likely be about 30 minutes long. We think you will find it refreshingly Bible-centered.

You will notice that the preacher does not have a title. He won't be referred to as Pastor or Reverend. If anything, he will be referred to as brother or simply referred to by his first name. The reason for this is our belief in the priesthood of all believers. All Christians are on equal footing with God (Galatians 3:26-28; 1 Peter 2:5, 9).

At the close of the sermon the preacher will extend the invitation. This is simply an opportune time to invite those who want to make a commitment to the Lord or request prayers for help and support to respond. He will encourage those who wish to respond to come to the front of the auditorium while the congregation sings the invitation hymn. Do not feel ill-at-ease during this invitation. You will not be singled out in any way.

Some of the responses at this time may be for prayers for specific needs, to place membership and be identified with this congregation, to confess sin, or to become a New Testament Christian through the act of baptism. The baptism will be by immersion (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3-4) and will be for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

by Ron Harper

Shipwrecks are destructive things. Paul was being taken by ship to Rome. While at sea a strong northeast wind created a violent storm that destroyed the vessel. Thankfully, Paul and all on board were saved from death.

One of the most famous shipwrecks in American history is the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. This cargo ship had carried iron ore and coal on Lake Superior for seventeen years. Of course, sailing on Lake Superior is risky business. The skeletons of at least 350 ships are strewn across her bottom. On November 9, 1975, The Edmund Fitzgerald encountered a fierce northeast wind. Storms are so common in November that they are called "the gales of November." Before she could reach her destination, the Edmund Fitzgerald was sunk. All 29 crewmen as well as the cargo were lost. Nature is a destructive force.

It is possible for you to be hit with "spiritual shipwreck." The Bible gives this warning.

"Keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith" (1 Timothy 1:19).

If we continually violate our conscience, we will shipwreck our faith. A man sought help with a spiritual problem. He had continually violated his conscience with a sinful lifestyle. In the course of our conversation he said, "I just don't have much faith anymore."

Why did he not have much faith? It's obvious. He had shipwrecked his faith. He had destroyed it with a sinful lifestyle.

What the gales of November do to ships on Lake Superior is symbolic of what violating your conscience will do to your faith. Think about it.