Worship

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25

Meeting with one another to worship Jesus Christ is a vital part of fulfilling Berean's vision of Experiencing True Life in Christ. At the heart of worship is the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ. Jesus, who is God, came to earth to die as a substitute for sinners on a cross. Jesus Christ absorbed the Father's wrath and punishment for sin. All who trust in Jesus Christ alone by faith are declared righteous by God. This is a free gift of grace from God that cannot be earned or paid back. Sinners are invited to turn from their sin and rest in the completed work of Jesus Christ on their behalf. Our gatherings are intended to encourage all attendees to see and savor Jesus Christ as their greatest source of joy and hope. We also encourage people to treasure Jesus Christ with others in a community. God has called His Church to be a fellowship of people who genuinely love and serve one another for the purpose of displaying the glory of Jesus Christ.

We cannot think of any better reason to gather than to worship Jesus Christ our risen Savior!

Singing God's Praises

Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:18-19

Almost half of our Sunday morning gatherings are devoted to music and singing. The Bible is clear that singing is a natural response to God. Singing is an appropriate way of giving God honor and declaring His greatness. We sing directly to God expressing our gratitude and joy of Him. We also encourage one another to consider the grace and power of God by singing to each other. In both cases, our goal is to assist in making the congregation the definitive "voice" of worship on Sunday mornings.

The Bible makes room for many possibilities for variation in musical style. Berean is led in singing each Sunday with a modern praise band complemented with local church members who are gifted musically. Modern Christian worship music is blended with time-tested traditional hymns. We strive for excellent music that reflects our excellent Savior.

Preaching God's Word

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
2 Timothy 4:1-2

In the book of Acts in the New Testament, the Bereans were commended for being people who searched the Scriptures to validate the truth of the Gospel (Acts 17:11). We take our name seriously and devote a large portion of our meeting time to preaching and teaching the Bible. We believe the Bible is God’s Word to us as much today as it was to those who first received it. We seek to explain what the Bible says and how you can take what it says and apply it to your life today. Our hope is that every person attending a service at Berean will encounter God directly in His Word and leave that encounter changed by Him. We do not believe that worship stops when the music is over; rather, worship continues through the preaching and hearing of God's Word.

We primarily use the New International Version of the Bible during the worship gathering. We have Bibles for you to use during worship at the back of the auditorium.

Prayer

“Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’?
Mark 11:17

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
James 5:16

Prayer is the foundation underneath all that takes place at Berean Community Church. Jesus was not interested in superficial religious activity but personal communion with God. Communion with God is what we are after when we gather to worship. That communion is not acheived without prayer. At Berean we want to see Christ-followers purposefully coming together to seek and engage the Lord's will in prayer and worship, in such a way they are connected with Jesus and each other for God's glory.

The reason prayer is so important is that God has called every follower of Jesus into community with others to discern God's will and ask Him, in faith, to do His will. Berean seeks to cultivate an atmosphere and enviornment where prayer is as natural as breathing. There is a room devoted to prayer on Sunday mornings from 8am to 12pm. People are invited to make use of this room for individual and small group prayer throughout Sunday morning. Prayer is incorporated into the worship service in various ways such as spontaneously led prayers by the pastors, silent prayers, commissioning prayers, small group prayers and responsive reading of prayers among others.

The Lord's Supper

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Luke 22:19-20

Our practice at Berean is to observe the ordinance of the Lord's Supper (Communion) on the first Sunday of every month. We believe the Lord's Supper was encouraged by Jesus as a reminder to us of His sacrifice for our sin. It is a symbol of the forgiveness that was once and for all paid for when Jesus died on the cross. Anyone who has personally put their trust in the accomplished work of Jesus Christ on the cross as the payment of their sins is invited to participate in this act of worship. The bread and juice are distributed without discrimination. We trust that those who participate in the Lord's Supper do so with respect for the sacredness of the act and a clear conscience.

Water Baptism

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:19

Berean Community Church encourages all who have put their trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sin and as their only hope for eternal life to be baptized. While there is no limit to how many baptisms we are willing to perform, we generally have 2-3 water baptism services per year. For more information on water baptism please click here.

Child Dedication

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6

While child dedication is not a biblical ordinance, the principles behind the practice of child dedication are very biblical. In dedicating their children, the parents are making a public commitment to devote themselves sacrificially to the God-honoring care, discipline and training of their children. There is an acknowledgement of need for God's providential guidance and grace. There is also the request for prayer and support from the church to make this happen. The church likewise acknowledges its role in displaying Christ-like love and grace to the children as well as assisting the parents in the equipping their children to become followers of Christ.

Child dedication is not infant baptism. Children do not become Christians when they are dedicated. Child dedications are done during one of the Sunday morning services upon request. They last approximately 5 minutes. The pastor will read a brief passage of scripture chosen by the parent and lead the congregation in prayer for the child and the family.

Other

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

There are many other things that take place during corporate worship that are no less worship than the elements described above. Time is set aside for church announcements and highlights from the various ministries at Berean. These are intended to display the multi-faceted ways that God glorifies Himself at Berean.

We try to provide as much connection and fellowship time before, during, between, and after our morning services. Please take advantage of these moments to meet someone new and extend the love and grace of Jesus Christ to others.

Occasionally we plan time for sharing and testimony about how God has been at work in people's lives. Giving testimony is always encouraged and one does not have to wait to be asked to share.