Worship Services
"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
Luke 19:40
Smyrna Baptist Church celebrates the resurrection of Christ and our new life in Him in our weekly worship services. We feature prominently five aspects of New Testament worship: worship in song, the public reading of Scriptures, the ordinances of the Lord's Supper and baptism, prayer, and giving. Our services join the tradition of singing hymns with solid, biblical content and the inspirational, personal expressions of more contemporary songs. We embrace the tradition embodied in hymns as they join us to the faith of our fathers. Likewise, we combine that with songs that express our present walk with God. Both are dedicated to Him as expressions of faith, love, and worship.
The Word of God
A second prominent aspect of our worship is the public reading of Scripture. As the New Testament instructs, "devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching" (1 Timothy 4:13), we incorporate extended readings of Scripture into every service along with preaching and teaching to illuminate and apply God's word. Sermons take a variety of forms in order to communicate the breadth and power of God's Word. Often, we utilize a series of sermons centered around a single book of the Bible, a single doctrine, or an aspect of Christian living. Occassionally, we use dramatic presentations.
Communion and Baptism
A third important aspect of our public worship experience at Smyrna is the celebration of the ordinances: receiving of the Lord's Supper and baptism. We celebrate communion approximately once a month. We try to avoid either the neglect of the ordinance or allowing it to become overly familiar. In this manner, we hope, by God's grace, to maintain the seriousness and solemnity of the ordinance. As we receive Communion together, we remember foremost the Sacrifice of Christ. Likewise, we celebrate our New Covenant with God through Christ, a covenant which promises the forgiveness of our sins, a renewed heart, and the reception of His Spirit as the promise of eternal life. Finally, with each celebration of the Lord's Supper, we renew our Church Covenant with one another to walk together in love, holiness, and faithful fellowship.
Prayer
Prayer frames all of our services. Praying together, we learn to depend upon the Lord, believe more fully His promise, find our faith strengthened, and receive encouragement for our hearts. As prayer is a vital necessity of private, Christian living, so it is a significant component of public worship. We incorporate both formal, planned prayers and informal, spontaneous expressions of faith.
Giving
One final aspect of our worship is the giving of tithes and offerings. We believe that giving through God's local church expresses both faith and worship. It is an act of worship that when accompanied with humility and sincerity pleases the Lord and brings us into obedience to His command. We expect the regular support and joyful giving of our members, as "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7), but do not ask our guests and visitors to give. The support of the church is the responsibility of the church.
Evening Worship
Our evening service on Sunday concludes our celebration of the Lord's Day and allows us to spend time focusing upon God's Word. The sermons on Sunday night usually address an area of Christian service and are designed to equip believers to "do the work of the ministry."
Wednesday Evening Services
Our Wednesday Night program incorporates all the aspects of worship mentioned previously, but adds a particular attention upon prayer. This service is our weekly prayer service. As such it is the life-blood of our church life. Out of prayer, God leads us into loving service and powerful witness.
Won't You Join Us?
Public worship is a key aspect of Christian life. God made us for fellowship with one another and for corporate worship. The Christian life is meant to be lived alongside other believers. We'd love to have you join us as we celebrate the Lord together.