1 Timothy 3:15 says, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
We seek to let Christ’s Word direct us in everything we do, especially in the gathering of His body.
Here are some things you can expect on most any Sunday that you decide to visit Maranatha:
1. Fellowship
What the bible says about fellwoship:
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his
Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Fellowship means “communion” or “common union.”
At Maranatha we desire all parts of our service to center around the Lord Jesus Christ.
We enjoy fellowship at Maranatha. You are most definitely going to see people early to service and many that stay afterwards.
The topic of discussion is not always Christ or even the Bible but it is sure to be Christ honoring and not contrary to scripture.
2. Singing
What the bible says about singing:
Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves (second person) in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in
your heart to the Lord;
Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs are meant to do three things
1. Teach others
2. Admonish (encourage)
3. Worship God “to the Lord”
You will certainly be able to find churches with more polished singers and larger singing groups than here at Maranatha but our focus is lifting up voices that come from hearts that are fully surrendered to Christ.
We sing any music that has a stronger emphasis on truth than the music (though we realize that both are important).
The majority of our music is Hymns but we also utilize some newer music that we see as Christ-honoring.
3. Giving
You will quickly discover that Maranatha is a congregation of modest folk where we do not show respect according to people’s income. Giving is part of our worship service; it is not overemphasized and no pastoral staff is getting wealthy from the congregation. Giving is an opportunity to give as God has prospered us. Here are some beliefs we hold to about giving
What the Bible says about giving:
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
4. Preaching and Teaching
Preaching and teaching at Maranatha serve one purpose, that is to show the supremacy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
While serving this purpose we believe preaching and teaching is multifaceted:
1. Evangelistic teaching and preaching
Romans 10:14-15 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach,
except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
2. Edifying teaching and preaching
Jude 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
3. Exhorting teaching and preaching
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
-Reprove- to tell a fault, convict
-Rebuke- to put a tax upon, to forbid
-Exhort- to call near, to beg, to intreat
5. Prayer
There will not be a gathering of the body that does not include prayer. We believe prayer is essential to the Christian life.
What the Bible says about prayer:
1 Timohty 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing
6. "How should I dress?"
Sadly, this is a question that many ask before coming to a church for the first time. Maranatha is a church body that consists of
many backgrounds and walks of life. We strive to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable in our gatherings. There is no
dress code but we do ask for common sense to be used. Remember, when we gather it is less about us and more about God and others.
We seek to let Christ’s Word direct us in everything we do, especially in the gathering of His body.
Here are some things you can expect on most any Sunday that you decide to visit Maranatha:
1. Fellowship
What the bible says about fellwoship:
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his
Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Fellowship means “communion” or “common union.”
At Maranatha we desire all parts of our service to center around the Lord Jesus Christ.
We enjoy fellowship at Maranatha. You are most definitely going to see people early to service and many that stay afterwards.
The topic of discussion is not always Christ or even the Bible but it is sure to be Christ honoring and not contrary to scripture.
2. Singing
What the bible says about singing:
Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves (second person) in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in
your heart to the Lord;
Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs are meant to do three things
1. Teach others
2. Admonish (encourage)
3. Worship God “to the Lord”
You will certainly be able to find churches with more polished singers and larger singing groups than here at Maranatha but our focus is lifting up voices that come from hearts that are fully surrendered to Christ.
We sing any music that has a stronger emphasis on truth than the music (though we realize that both are important).
The majority of our music is Hymns but we also utilize some newer music that we see as Christ-honoring.
3. Giving
You will quickly discover that Maranatha is a congregation of modest folk where we do not show respect according to people’s income. Giving is part of our worship service; it is not overemphasized and no pastoral staff is getting wealthy from the congregation. Giving is an opportunity to give as God has prospered us. Here are some beliefs we hold to about giving
What the Bible says about giving:
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
4. Preaching and Teaching
Preaching and teaching at Maranatha serve one purpose, that is to show the supremacy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
While serving this purpose we believe preaching and teaching is multifaceted:
1. Evangelistic teaching and preaching
Romans 10:14-15 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach,
except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
2. Edifying teaching and preaching
Jude 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
3. Exhorting teaching and preaching
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
-Reprove- to tell a fault, convict
-Rebuke- to put a tax upon, to forbid
-Exhort- to call near, to beg, to intreat
5. Prayer
There will not be a gathering of the body that does not include prayer. We believe prayer is essential to the Christian life.
What the Bible says about prayer:
1 Timohty 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing
6. "How should I dress?"
Sadly, this is a question that many ask before coming to a church for the first time. Maranatha is a church body that consists of
many backgrounds and walks of life. We strive to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable in our gatherings. There is no
dress code but we do ask for common sense to be used. Remember, when we gather it is less about us and more about God and others.