Welcome! A Guide for First Timers

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
700 J.R. Miller Boulevard
Owensboro, KY 42303

WELCOME! This Guide was developed for people who may be attending their first worship service at First Christian Church.

“CASUAL” 8:30 a.m.  WORSHIP SERVICE.  First Christian has two Sunday morning services.  The 8:30 a.m. service is held in the atrium and is considered more “casual.” Participants tend to dress less formally (jeans are fine), the music is more contemporary, and the setting and social atmosphere invites more personal interaction with each other and the minister. 

“TRADITIONAL” 10:30 a.m. WORSHIP SERVICE. The 10:30 a.m. service, held in our historic sanctuary, is designed to be a more “traditional” mainline protestant service.  It features our wonderful pipe organ, the choir, traditional hymns and a more formal and meditative worship experience. 

NO MISTAKES.  You can’t really make a mistake at First Christian.  We often change what we do in our services, so there’s always someone here (including the minister) who may feel they are “messing up.”  No big deal! It’s part of who we are.

NURSERY.  We have great nursery workers who love to work with small children.  You may keep your infant or toddler with you or may take them to the nursery at any time.  The nursery is located south of the Atrium, which is located in the middle of building.

STANDING UP – SITTING DOWN.  The bulletin indicates, with an asterisk (*) when people are invited to stand, if they are able and feel comfortable doing so.

WHEN TO TALK.  If the congregation is invited to speak or read during the service, the worship bulletin has the words you should say in bold type. An example of this is the “Call to Worship” during the 10:30 traditional service.

CHILDREN’S TIME.  We love our children here! If you have a child, encourage them to come forward with the other children during the children’s time in the worship service. During this time they will receive a message designed especially for them. Sometimes adults come forward with their children if the child is not yet comfortable coming forward alone. Following the children’s moment in the 10:30 service, children are invited to attend a special children’s service if they wish.

COMMUNION.  In the Disciples tradition, we celebrate communion every week, partaking of the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation.  You don’t have to be a church member to participate in the Lord’s Supper with us.  You don’t even have to be a member of any church!  Our communion is open to all believers in Jesus Christ. In the 8:30 service we take communion “by intinction,” or dipping. Just follow the others to the table, take a piece of bread, dip it in the chalice cup and eat it before returning to your seat for silent meditation. In the 10:30 service, if you wish to take communion, just take a piece of bread as the tray is passed and eat it … then take a cup as it is passed and hold it until you are ready to drink.  Welcome to God’s table!

FELLOWSHIP TIME.  You are invited to join us, after each service, for a time of fellowship and refreshments. (You’ll have to race the kids to the donuts or cookies!) It’s a great time to meet people and ask questions.  The Liturgist or Elders who assisted the minister with the service are always good people to approach with questions.

SUNDAY SCHOOL.  Sunday School classes meet from 9:30 until about 10:15 a.m.  We have many classes for all ages and interests.  Ask for more information.  We also have many youth and adult groups that meet at other times of the day or week.  Check them out!

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR VISIT TO FIRST CHRISTIAN, AND THAT YOU WILL JOIN US AGAIN!

         Some Information on the Disciples of Christ

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was born on the American frontier of the early 1800’s.  Now with a million members, it is one of the largest native protestant religious movements in the country.  First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Owensboro began in November of 1860, as Abraham Lincoln was running for President.

The Disciples of Christ are defined by our style as much as by our beliefs. These are some of the elements of our beliefs and style:

Diversity – We make an effort to honor diversity and cultivate openness to the views of others, with every individual having the right and the duty to study and interpret scripture for herself or himself.  Early church mottos were “No Creed but Christ” and “Christian Unity is Our Polar Star.”

Role of Laity and Clergy – Our founders emphasized the ministry responsibility of all baptized Christians, without minimizing the need for trained and qualified pastoral leadership.

Role of Women – Disciples have historically valued the leadership of women in all aspects of church life.

We are “People of the Table” – The Lord’s Supper, or communion, with its rich symbolism of God’s self-giving love, is the center of our gathered life in worship. In pursuit of Christian unity, it is open to all believers.

A People of the Living Water – Disciples practice baptism by immersion. In our spirit of Christian unity, we embrace and welcome all who have been baptized by other means.

Disciples are People of Ministry – In recognition and appreciation of God’s mercy, grace and blessings, we are led to support missions and address human issues of peace and justice, in hopes of helping to birth the peaceable realm of God’s shalom upon the earth.

For further information on the history and activities of our church, visit our website at:  www.fccowb.org or call our minister at 270-684-8879