Hello and welcome,
At Linwood Gospel Hall we are always delighted to see visitors. Thank you for choosing to be with us today. We hope you enjoy your visit and invite you to stay for a chat when the service is over.
We have prepared this card because it is rarely that we have the opportunity for a detailed discussion before the service begins. It may be that this is the first time you have attended a meeting like this, so we would like to briefly explain what happens...
The service this morning is held to remember our Lord Jesus Christ as He asked us to do. (Luke Ch 22 v 19-20). It is referred to in the Bible as “The Lord’s Supper” or “The breaking of bread”. Some churches may refer to this as “The communion service”. Christ is the Head of His church and this local congregation belongs to Him.
It is a huge privilege to participate in the Lord’s Supper but also a very serious responsibility!
The Bible states in 1st Corinthians ch 11 v 27 “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord”. Verse 28 says we should examine ourselves before eating the bread and drinking the cup!
Please feel free to take the emblems this morning if...
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You are saved (born again) - John ch 3 v 3, 16 & 36
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You have been baptised by immersion as a believer - Acts ch 8 v 36-38
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You are a committed member of a local, biblical church fellowship - Acts ch 2 v 41-42
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You desire to honour the Lord by obeying His Word and separating yourself from known sin. Hebrews ch 12 v 14, 1st John ch 1 v 7-9
If you are unsure about the above statements, please just pass the emblems on to the person beside you, or back to the person who is offering them to you. Please do not feel embarrassed about this...no one will think anything negative of you.
The format is simple - we will sing some hymns of worship and remembrance then some of the male members will spontaneously give thanks to God for the Lord Jesus. We then take the ‘emblems’ (bread and grape juice), after which there will be a short message from the Bible.
Some frequently asked questions:
Is there no Pastor?
No, we have a plurality of elders who oversee the church. The teaching and preaching is done by those members who are gifted and able. We seek to make room for each member to exercise their God-given gift.
Why is it that only the males are speaking / praying?
This is not discrimination... The Bible teaches clearly that men and women are equal but have different roles in the church - 1st Corinthians ch 14 v 34-35, 1st Timothy ch 2 v 11-12
Why are the women wearing a head covering?
This is an outward display of the Biblical teaching on Headship. The ladies who are members of LGH are happy to do this as an act of obedience to their Lord - 1st Corinthians ch 11 v 1-16
We respectfully recognise that not every church ‘does things’ the same way that we do.
However, it is our desire to honour and obey the Lord as we understand the scriptures teach us to do. Having said this, please do not imagine that we think we are better than any other church or Christian... we are only sinners saved by grace - Ephesians ch 2 v 8 & 9.
If you would like a discussion or further explanation regarding any of the matters in this leaflet, or would like to talk about becoming a member, please fill out the information slip below and we will be happy to help.
God bless,
The Elders of Linwood Gospel Hall