• You can expect to feel welcome. We know that visiting a congregation you are unfamiliar with can be an uneasy experience sometimes. We want you to know that when you visit us you can come in and feel right at home with the rest of us.

• You can expect to meet people who want unity. The world is religiously divided today. Many people who believe in the same Bible hold a wide variety of beliefs. We strive to teach the truth in love with an extended hand to those in the community surrounding us with the hopes that we can all achieve the religious unity of belief, teaching and practice that Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 1:10. However, the unity God desires of us must not come at the cost of embracing error. We stand firm against those things which are promoted but have no support by the scriptures.

• You can expect to hear the Bible taught. During our lessons, Bible classes and possibly other parts of the services you will probably hear several references to Bible passages. We encourage you to examine those carefully and if what we are teaching does not come direct and clear from the passage cited, we want you to bring that to our attention. It is our desire to "speak as the oracles of God" (1 Pet. 4:11) or, as others have said, "speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where it is silent." We desire to teach the truths taught in the Bible and nothing but that which harmonizes with those truths.

• You can expect to experience singing. We are commanded to sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) in God's word and nothing more and nothing less. Therefore you will experience acapella singing (purely vocal) so that 1.) we can be certain that we are worshipping in the manner which God prescribed and 2.) we can worship in a way where everyone can agree and be edified through.

• You will see giving on the first day of the week. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Acts 2 and Acts 4-6 we see Christians giving of their means time and again when they saw a need that needed to be met. Christians used these fundss for the furtherance of the gospel in the areas of benevolence and supporting those preaching and teaching the gospel (some elders and preachers). We use those funds in the same general way that they did in the first century. You should not feel obligated to give if you are not moved to do so. This is part of what we do apart from worship at a convenient time to be able to support the expenses related to the work here in Orleans.

• You will hear praying. There is so much to pray for in our world. You will hear men of the congregation, at predetermined times, offer petitions to the Lord. You are welcome to pray along or simply remain quiet and observe.

• You can expect to see the Lord's Suupper (communion) offered on the first day of the week. The Lord told us to do so in remembrance of Himself (1 Cor. 11) and the only record that the first century church did so was on the first day of the week (Ac. 20:7). Therefore, to be certain we are remembering Him as He would want us to, we partake of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine (grape juice) on this most significant day (the day He rose from the dead).

• These things being said, there are a lot of things you may see at other congregations that you will not see at our congregation. Many devices are employed by mostly well-intentioned men to "draw the masses" to their congregation to increase the numbers. Some have gone so far that it becomes difficult to know where the lines between work and worship have been crossed over to fun and entertainment. We would rather be small numerically and strong spiritually, rather than large in number. We are not looking for people who merely want to join a social club to have a good time, we are looking for people who are interested in the word of God, serving our Lord and focusing on things that have eternal value, rather than carnal.

• You can expect to find people who are willing to change if they are in error. We encourage you to examine the church of the New Testament for yourself. Take note of what you see. Then come and visit us. If the church at Orleans strongly resembles what you read about in your Bible, then we have accomplished our goal. If it does not match the pattern, then please bring that to our attention and if we are in error, we will change. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9). We want to go to Heaven. We want you and your loved ones to also. Let's help one another get there! Come and worship with us!

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