FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions. |
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There are 20 entries in the FAQ.
Pages: 1
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| Why should I visit First Christian Church? |
 | At First Christian Church we have ministries for people of all ages, from the littlest child to the wisest adult. We have opportunities for people with all types of gifts and talents to serve the church, from music, to teaching, to visitation, to administration. We have worship services that can appeal to those who prefer contemporary services or to those who prefer traditional worship.
First Christian Church is the place where you will learn what you can BELIEVE…know that you BELONG… and BECOME all that God desires for you!
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| What does your church believe? |
| Foundation Stones:
1. We believe in the unity of all who confess Christ as their Lord and Savior (we are not the only Christians—we are Christians only!)
2. We believe that unity does not mean uniformity. In essentials unity; in nonessentials diversity; in all things love.
3. Jesus Christ alone is the Rock of our Faith.
4. The Bible is our sole authority for understanding the Word of God
5. We believe that the cross of Christ is the ultimate revelation of God’s love
6. We believe in believer’s baptism by immersion as a sacred act of repentance of sins and resurrection into new life through Christ.
7. We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the center of each Sunday’s worship service because we all are saved by grace through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
8. We believe that the resurrected Jesus Christ is with us always through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
9. We believe that we are called upon to follow Christ into the world through missions of compassion.
10. We believe that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life, and all who believe in him, even though they die—yet will they live forever in heaven! If this is the foundation you want to build your life upon and if you are searching for a church that unites rather than divides, welcome home! |
| Who are the Disciples of Christ? |
| The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) believes in the unity of all who confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. Christians should not be competing with one another but cooperating. Our motto is: “In essentials unity; in non-essentials diversity; in all things love.” Visit www.disciples.org to further explore our caring and unifying denomination. |
| What is the symbol for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)? |
| The Symbol of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a simple red chalice bearing the cross of St. Andrew across the left side of the bowl. The color red signifies vitality, spirit, and sacrifice.
Long associated with the Disciples of Christ as a symbol, the chalice points to the centrality of the Lord’s supper in the life and worship of the Disciples who celebrate communion each Sunday. A Lord’s supper open to Christians of all persuasions has been characteristic of the church from its beginning in the early nineteenth century.
The cross of St. Andrew, national cross of Scotland, focuses attention on the Presbyterian roots of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
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| What is your mission statement? |
| Our purpose is to glorify and celebrate God through worshiping God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We strive to develop a personal and maturing relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. This builds a family of believers who has the ability and desire to share Christ=s message and love with others, both locally and globally. |
| What types of worship services do you offer? |
| Here at First Christian church we offer a contemporary and traditional church service. Our contemporary service begins at 8:30am and our traditional service starts at 10:45am every Sunday. |
| Is childcare provided? |
| Yes, childcare is provided,during our traditonal worship service at 10:45am. |
| Is the building handicap accessible? |
| First Christian Church buildings are handicap accessible. |
| Where do I park? |
| The church parking lot is located on Boyer Street with entrances on Boyer and Lyman Streets. Our handicap accessible parking is located curb-side facing west in the church parking lot. We are fortunate to have ample additional parking in close proximity to the Church. Parking is permitted in the business lots west of the church on south side Boyer Street. A parking map is available at the Welcome Center in the Gathering Area. |
| How large is your congregation? |
| First Christian Church has a membership of nearly eleven hundred. Our contemporary service, at 8:30, has an average attendance of one hundred and fifty, while the traditional service, at 10:45, has an average attendance of two hundred and twenty five. Sunday School, which begins at 9:30, has an average attendance of two hundred and seventy five.
We are a larger congregation, but not so large that you become just a face in the pew. At First Christian Church, our size allows us to be effective in the ministries we do, while at the same time creating a family type environment for all who come through our doors.
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| How often is Communion Served? |
| We believe that the Lord’s Supper is the heart of worship and is to be celebrated whenever Christians gather to commune with the Lord and each other. The Lord ’s Supper is offered every Sunday and on special days. The Lord is the host of the table, and it is open to all who confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Through the sharing of bread and wine, we meet and receive the living Christ and receive forgiveness for past sins, strength for today’s challenges, and hope for tomorrow. We affirm the presence of the living Lord and proclaim him to be the dominant power in our lives. |
| How does FCC baptize? |
| Baptism is both a personal and a social action in which an individual undertakes a new life of Christian discipleship within the fellowship of the whole people of God—Christ’s church. For Disciples, baptism is foremost the means of entry into the life of the church.
The sins of the one baptized are not only forgiven, but God gives the Holy Spirit to live within the believer to strengthen, guide and comfort. The Holy Spirit is God’s continuing effective presence in one’s life.
FCC practices baptism by immersion. Following a confession of faith, the candidate enters into the baptismal font. A prayer of blessing is offered, and the candidate is then lowered into the water by the minister, and then brought back out of the water after having been fully immersed. This practice reenacts the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Through this rite, the critical events of Christ’s life are incorporated into our own experience.
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| What is Sunday School? |
| Sunday School is an important part of our First Christian Church culture. It is one hour set aside in our busy lives to focus on Christian Education. Learning is a lifetime activity and we are proud to offer classes for children, youth and adults. Classes are designed to develop faith, enrich our fellowship and share the joys of being a Christian. Sunday School meets at 9:30 AM each Sunday morning. |
| Do you have a youth program? |
| Here at First Christian Church we have a very dynamic Youth Program. For Sixth thru Eighth Graders there is Chi Rho Youth Group and for Ninth thru Twelfth Graders there is Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF). See the Youth Minitries link for more information. |
| Do you have a music program? |
| First Christian Church has music opportunities for all ages. Youth choir is available for children in the first through seventh grades. High school youth and adults may be part of our worship team at our contemporary service or the chancel choir at our traditional service. |
| What is a Parent/ Child Dedication? |
| When a child is born into a family, the parents have a great and wonderful Christian responsibility. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me," and it is the parents' responsibility to raise their child(ren) up in the Christian faith. In a parent/child Dedication service ( which takes place during Sunday worship), the parents dedicate themselves to raising their newborn child in the Christian faith, to bringing the child to church to be influenced by other Christians, and to witnessing through words and deeds that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The immediate family and the congregation also dedicate themselves to helping the parents raise their child in the Christian faith. And then there is a blessing upon the child and a prayer for the family.
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| How do I get involved? |
| Getting involved here at First Christian Church is easy. Just come! If there is an event or program that interests you, just come. You will be welcomed in Christian love and will be blessed by your attendance. You may also want to speak to one of our directors if you have a specific area of interest. All of our staff can be easily reached during regular business hours and by e-mail and look forward to hearing from you. |
| How do I become a member? |
| Becoming a member of First Christian Church is easy, and easier than you might think. First, prayerfully consider if this is the church that God has led you to be a part of. If it is, then all you have to do is come forward during the song/hymn of invitation near the end of the worship service. There one of our ministers will take your confession of faith or your reaffirmation and transfer of membership, by extending to you the right hand of Christian fellowship and asking you if you believe that Jesus is the son of the living God, if you accept him as your Lord and Savior. At that point, all you have to say is “I do.”
If you would rather not come forward during a worship service, then our ministers would be more than happy to take your confession of faith or reaffirmation and transfer of membership at another time. |
| Will someone from the church knock on my door seeking a pledge? |
| No! Each year our Official Church Board approves a budget that allows us to fulfill the ministries that God has given to First Christian Church. How do we meet our budget?
We support our church ministries through a PRIVATE PROMISE. What is Private Promise?
First of all, it is a Private PROMISE. Each of us makes a promise to God that we will support the Church through a planned and regular offering.
Secondly, it is a PRIVATE Promise. Only you and God know what you promise to give for the coming year. We trust each other to give generously and faithfully.
Money can deepen our spiritual life or become a hindrance to it. “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also,” Jesus said in Matthew 6:21. The love of Christ is our treasure—money is one important means we use to share our treasure with others.
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| How can I contact the church? |
| You may call the church office at 330-336-6697 or email: secretary@fccwadsworth.org for more information |
