What to Expect
Somers Avenue is a diverse mix of friendly folks that have one thing in common – following the Bible and trying to live as Jesus did. When you visit, you’ll find Somers to be a warm and casual place where you’ll enjoy interesting Bible studies and discussions, uplifting singing and practical messages. Whether you’ve been going to church for many years or have never been before our intent is to make everyone feel welcome and to meet your needs in any way we can.
At Somers Avenue we offer Bible classes for children and adults of all ages on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Dynamic and thoughtful worship services are offered on Sunday mornings. A nursery with attentive staff and a training room are available during services. On Sunday evenings we try and vary the format from singing devotionals to traditional sermons to focused readings of God’s Word. Our main auditorium and adjacent restrooms are handicap accessible.
When you enter what we refer to as the auditorium, there are no reserved seats, so feel free to sit anywhere you choose. In our singing worship we project both the words and music of the songs to the front so it can be easily read. One thing you may notice is that the singing is a capella. That is, we sing without the accompaniment of musical instruments. This is our heritage but it is also a conviction with us, not just a preference. We are seeking to worship according to the New Testament pattern (1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12). We think you will find the singing very meaningful, with everyone invited to participate.
There will be several prayers offered throughout the worship. There may be prayers offered for specific needs or requests. During the Sunday worship services the Lord’s Supper will be included. We observe this memorial every Sunday desiring to follow the New Testament teaching. The practice of the church recorded in the New Testament celebrated was to practice this observance on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). During this memorial plates containing pieces of unleavened bread (Matzo brand for us) will be passed throughout the auditorium. This bread symbolizes the body of Jesus Christ which he gave on the cross for each of us (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). Each Christian will break off a piece of bread and eat it.
Next we will pass trays of small cups filled with grape juice. This symbolizes the blood of Jesus which cleanses us from our sins and unites us in covenant with God (I Corinthians 11:23-25). Jesus commands Christians to do this “in remembrance of me” (I Corinthians 11:24). Following the Lord’s Supper (communion) we will pass baskets to collect the weekly financial offering used to further the work of this congregation in serving God. As our guest you are not expected to make a contribution. You are welcome to if you choose but feel perfectly comfortable simply passing the basket to the next person.
As you would expect, there will be a sermon delivered by the preacher. This sermon will likely be about 30 minutes long. We think you will find it refreshingly Bible-centered. Listen to sermon recordings online. You will notice that neither the preacher nor any of our ministers have a formal title. The reason for this is our belief in the priesthood of all believers. All Christians are on equal footing with God (Galatians 3:26-28; I Peter 2:5, 9), regardless of what our responsibilities may be. At the close of the sermon the minister will extend an invitation for anyone wanting to make a commitment to the Lord or request prayers for help and support to respond by coming to the front of the auditorium. Do not feel ill-at-ease during this time. You will not be singled out in any way. Some of the responses at this time may be for prayers for specific needs, to place membership and be identified with this congregation, to confess sin, or to become a Christian through baptism by immersion (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3-11) for forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
