Our distinctives as a Brethren Church

ASSEMBLY LIFE

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Act 2:42 NIV).

We assemble as a church to worship God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ “in spirit and in truth” by relying the Holy Spirit and according to the Word of God (John 4:23,9:38; 16:13-14; Matt 28:9,17; Rom 8:26; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16).

We gather in small groups to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” and to “encourage one another” so that none of us “may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Heb 10:24-25; 3:13).

• Worship Services on Sundays
• Bible Classes for all on Sundays
• Prayer Services on Wednesdays
• Fellowship Groups (Small Groups) on the other evenings

WORSHIP SERVICES

• Praises and Thanksgiving to the Triune God
• Open Worship
• The Breaking of Bread (or The Lord’s Supper, the Holy Communion, the Lord’s Table, the Remembrance of the Lord’s death and coming).
• Preaching and Teaching of God’s Word
• Tithes and offerings as acts of worship (collection on 1st Sundays)

SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BIBLE CLASSES

Junior Sunday School (JSS)

Kindergarten Classes for ages 3-5
Junior Sunday School Classes for ages 7 to 12

Senior Sunday School (SSS)

Lower Senior Sunday School Classes for ages 13 to 16
Upper Senior Classes for ages 17 – 24

Adult Bible Classes on Sunday

Adult Bible Class (ABC)

WWBI Bible Courses (Group and Individual Studies)

PRAYER SERVICES

• Praise, Thanksgiving, Petitions and Intercessions to the Triune God
• Inculcating spiritual discipline of corporate prayers for concerns of the local church
• Interceding for the saints and for the lost among our natural sphere of influence
• Open Sharing
  • prayer needs
  • testimonies
  • mission reports
• Meditation on God’s Word for instructions on prayer (e.g. Psalms)
• Preaching of the Word

FELLOWSHIP & CARE GROUPS  (Small Groups)

“And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1Jn 1:3 NIV).

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb 10:24-25 NIV).

• Pastoral care for members
• Bible study and fellowship
• Encouragement in-Christ to love, to do good and be hospitable

COORDINATING MEETINGS

Elders’ Board, Deacons’ Board, Church Council, Ministry Committees, various Departments.

OPEN WORSHIP

During the Assembly Worship Services on Sundays, we have “Open Worship.” It is a Brethren distinctive. The focus of Brethren worship service is the Breaking of Bread or the Lord’s Table, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1Co 11:26 NIV).

“Open Worship” should:

• lead worshippers to the Breaking of Bread,
• focus on God’s attributes and God’s works,
• remember Jesus Christ, especially His death for sinners on the Cross,
• anticipate the Return of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 16:22b; Rev 22:20).

Some tips on participating in open worship:

1. Before the worship service, prepare.¹

2. During worship service, take the cue from hymns and spiritual songs that are sung, and continue to worship God by:

• reading a relevant portion of Bible, or
• saying prayers of thanksgiving to God, or
• reading or leading a hymn or spiritual song, or
• staying silent and rest in God’s Presence.

3. Who can participate in open worship?

As a “priesthood of all believers” (1 Peter 2:9, 10), anyone who is a baptized believer and has prepared or who is led by the Spirit.

4. What to avoid?

• Personal testimony,
• Teaching or preaching,
• Sharing of current affairs,
• Taking more than 5-7 minutes each.

5. You may offer a word of exhortation or encouragement. This can often be done in connection with a Scripture verse and/or a hymn.

¹Some recommended readings can be found in the pew hymn books. A helpful list of bible texts can be obtained from the deacons and elders.