The Five-Fold Purpose of Immanuel's Sunday Morning Services
by Pastor Charles Schmitt
The five-fold purpose of our Sunday morning services is perhaps unique to Immanuel's Church. We probably do things differently from other churches, but there are reasons, in God, why we do what we do. And here they are-
Our first purpose in coming together is to praise and worship our wonderful Lord! And our music minister, Brad Lewis, and his fine team are doing an increasingly excellent job in leading us in this! (For those who hunger for more praise and worship and prophetic flow, come to the Father's Embrace on Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m. There is always more to be had!)
Our second purpose in coming together on Sunday mornings is to "break bread" -to receive from Jesus, in the Spirit, His very own life-giving Body and Blood! Usually around this time prophetic words can and do come forth. (For those who want communion more than once a week, the Lord's Table is present on the altar at all times, and is openly celebrated on Friday evenings as well.)
Our third purpose on Sunday mornings is to celebrate our community. This segment, after communion and before the teaching, is not merely to be looked upon as "announcements." The words from our missionaries, the PowerPoint slides and videos, the insights into our community life, the prayers of sending forth, and the worship of the Lord in our tithes and offerings-all these are celebrations of our common life together as the people of God! It is obvious that as several thousands are coming and going on a Sunday morning, fellowship becomes limited to a smile, a hug, a greeting. But everyone should likewise be finding themselves part of a small group in addition to Sunday mornings-a geographical group, an affinity (common purpose) group, or a small ministry group. (Pastor Jamie Dixson can help you find your way into this blest arena!)
Our fourth purpose on Sunday mornings is to foster our hunger for the Word of the Lord, the inspired Holy Scriptures. As the Word of God is shared from week to week in various styles, by various ministers, our desire is that the Word would indeed become a life-giving, life-changing word! (For those who hunger for more of the Word, please join us on Tuesday evenings-from early September through the end of May-for our intensive School of the Bible! There is always more to be had!)
Our fifth purpose for gathering together on Sunday mornings is to call people to commitment. Those who do not yet know Jesus personally, those who have fallen from His grace, or those who need to be renewed in their walk with the Lord are called week by week into a specific commitment to Christ. And this call to commitment is then extended daily out to the Prayer Stop, into the Alpha meetings, and into our cell group/small group meetings, as we seek to cast the net into the water again and again in any given week! A vital commitment to Jesus Christ is the very heart of our faith!
Sunday mornings are a sample, in microcosm, of what our whole church life is all about. Immanuel's is undoubtedly different from any church I've ever been a part of. And it is exciting-I can hardly wait for Sunday mornings to come around!
