Our prayer is that each person who attends the Erie Church of Christ will be encouraged by worship that pleases God. You will find a congregation with loving, open arms towards guests. Our worship services will be led by men from members of our congregation or special invited guests.

As a body of baptized believers, our goal is always to follow the New Testament pattern in name, in worship, in the organization of the church, and in every way. We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16).

Worship music is acapella, singing without the accompaniment of musical instruments. The church invites everyone to worship God in the purest way possible, focused on praise to our Heavenly Father (Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12)

Several prayers will be spoken publicly by brothers from the Erie Family throughout the worship service. The church believes in the power of prayer, and often prayers focus on specific needs and requests.

We will hear a Bible lesson that lasts about 20-30 minutes (Acts 2:42; Romans 10:14). On most Sundays, our preaching minister presents these lessons, although occasionally a guest speaker will guide our thoughts. The lesson will be Bible-based and numerous biblical Scripture references will be used to help us understand that the words are not just the words of a man, but God’s words based on God’s will for us.

Weekly, each member of the congregation contributes an amount they have decided upon in advance to support the work of the church. We do not ask or expect our visitors to give anything in the offering (1 Corinthians 16:2).

Communion, or the Lord’s Supper as it is often called, is included in the worship service every Sunday. Communion encourages everyone to reflect on Jesus’ death on the cross as well as his resurrection from the dead. In the New Testament, the first-century church celebrated this observance on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), and we wish to follow its example. The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:23-24). The cup, which may also be referred to as the “fruit of the vine”, symbolizes the blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:25). As we partake of these symbols, each participant is encouraged to remember this sacrifice of Jesus which has allowed us to be reconciled to God (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). Men from the congregation will hand out the cups prior to the start of the communion portion of the worship service. The two cups will be stacked on top of each other, with the bottom cup containing the bread and the top cup containing the grape juice. A brother in Christ will offer a few thoughts around the table, after which he will say a short prayer. We will consume the bread collectively after the prayer. He will then offer a prayer for the fruit of the vine, and we will drink the grape juice after that prayer is completed. The cups will then be collected at the same time the offering is collected.

Each worship service, individuals are invited to make known their concerns, such as making a commitment to Jesus through baptism, recommitting their lives to Him, and/or asking for prayers from the church for special personal issues. This occurs at the end of the lesson, and you may hear the minister or speaker “extend an invitation” to the congregation. He will encourage those who wish to “respond” to come to the front of the auditorium while the congregation sings. Someone will be at the front to meet and talk with anyone who responds. Please do not feel uneasy during this invitation as you will not be singled out in any way.