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What to Expect If you wonder what a Pentecostal service is like… One thing you are sure to find at First Assembly is a personal, uplifting worship experience. We worship as we live, with enthusiasm. If you’re wondering what a Pentecostal service is like, we invite you to come and observe God’s joy and peace that defy description. And when you visit again, come expecting. Expect a move of God not only in the service, but also in your life. We think you’ll agree that the comfort, help, and strength He gives are better experienced than explained. Elements of Worship • Music Music Music is a major feature of our worship. Music is more than a performance; it’s worship. Any given service may include traditional hymns, hand-clapping gospel songs, contemporary compositions or reverent worshipful choruses. Music will include both congregational and special ministries — solos, duets, ensembles, choirs, or instrumentals. The service may include quiet times of waiting in God’s presence, spiritually savoring the sacred atmosphere. Other times may be vocal with collective praise as worshippers are invited to spontaneously express love and adoration to God. In everything, a flow of worship is evident and, despite the spontaneity and excitement, a certain properness and order. Sincere worship may be expressed inwardly and outwardly. Some are quiet and reserved; some are inspired to shout with joy; others are simply tender and openly emotional during times of praise or preaching. As God created us, each is unique. Our worship styles reflect the spectrum of personalities. Prayer A special time in the service is devoted to PRAYER. Needs from inside and outside the Church Family frequently are shared. The congregation prays together. All may pray aloud but conclude with a single voice, the worship leader or other designated person praying in behalf of all. As in the New Testament, specific prayer may be offered for the sick. They will be invited forward to be anointed with oil (James 5:13-16) and/or have the ministers, leaders, or other believers lay hands on them and pray (Mark 16:18). Tithes and Offerings During the service, TITHES AND OFFERINGS will be received. This too is worship. Giving the tithe (the first tenth of income) and offerings allows us to demonstrate that God comes first in our lives. We recognize His blessing, express faith, and seek His guidance in every matter of our lives. The ministries of the local church and globe-encircling work of the Assemblies of God are supported solely by free-will giving. Spiritual Gifts An interesting aspect of Assemblies of God worship is the operation of SPIRITUAL GIFTS. The planned service order may be suspended as individuals speak or share as prompted by the Holy Spirit and under the leadership of the Pastor (1 Corinthians 12-14). One may speak out in an unknown tongue, a Spirit-guided language other than that of the congregation. Another individual, or perhaps the same one, will then give the interpretation. On occasion, the Spirit may prompt someone to speak out, to prophesy, in the language of the congregation. The gift of prophecy, the gift of tongues and the gift of interpretation, and other spiritual gifts bring the church immediate challenge and confirm Bible truths. Preaching of God's Word The climax of the service comes with the PREACHING OF GOD’S WORD, the Bible, and an invitation for hearers to respond. The messages are fervent, inspiring, and practical. The pastor or guest speaker may close with an invitation for those who need forgiveness in their lives to come forward and accept Christ as Savior. Those who feel a need to rededicate their lives to Christ or to pray about other concerns are also invited to come. Believers are urged to ask God for the baptism in the Holy Spirit to further empower them for Christian service. Often everyone is invited to come pray during the altar service. Deep emotion and excitement may or may not be demonstrated at the altars, but everyone who calls on God in faith receives something. We invite you to join us. |
About First Assembly • What to Expect Announcements The Bridge Verse of the Day Birthdays of the Month
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