We're telling the world about Jesus

Question 1

What to expect on your first visit

Answer

Visiting a new church can be a bit nerve-racking. That's why we want to walk you through what to expect when you arrive for your first service at Christ The King:

First, let's talk about parking. You'll be going to our Trenton Rd. Campus (right across from the MJR Movie Theatre) if you attend any of our weekend services. At the stoplight near our building, you'll pull into our north parking lot. There are visitor parking spots across from the main entrance with the overhang. If this parking lot is filled, there is a second lot on the south side of the building.

When you enter Christ The King, you'll be in a long gallery. You'll want to go straight ahead to the Welcome Desk, where you'll see a large sign that says 'New Here? Start Here'. If it's Sunday, you'll be greeted by the Welcome Desk Staff. At the moment, we don't have anyone at the table on Saturdays. Feel free to ask the Welcome Desk Staff any questions you have about the service, where the restrooms are located, or where to sit. There are also Connection Cards at this table, but more about that later.

After you stop at the Welcome Desk, head to the left, and you'll be greeted by the greeters and ushers. They'll give you an announcement sheet, and if you'd like a bulletin, just ask. We do have large screens at the front of the church, though, as well as screens in the wings, so don't worry too much about a bulletin. You'll be able to follow along perfectly from anywhere in the church! If you have kids with you, ask the usher for a kid's bag, which is a tote filled with coloring sheets and fidget toys. You can bring it back to the ushers after the service since we reuse these each week!

When you enter the sanctuary, sit wherever you like. Each section gives the service a different feel, so if you visit us again, try another spot to see which you like best!

Our 5pm and 9am services are more traditional, and the music you'll hear will vary between the organ, piano, choir, brass ensemble, and handbells. Our 11am service is contemporary, often with a full praise band and singers. The sermon and order of worship are the same in every service, despite the music changing.

During the service, you might see everyone line up to take Holy Communion. See our beliefs on Communion in the printed announcements that you were handed before the service.

If you have kids, we do have a children's sermon. Kids will be called up to the front of the church to listen to the pastor before the regular sermon starts. Don't worry if they're not comfortable going up yet, though! There is no pressure on this one. After the children's sermon ends, the kids head back to their seats while music plays.

After the service is over, one of the pastors will greet you at the sanctuary doors. Let him know you're visiting and tell him a little about yourself. He will have mentioned at the start of the service that we have Connection Cards for visitors. Fill one out in your seat or at the Welcome Desk, and turn it in to the Welcome Desk Staff. We'll email you to say 'hello', and if you stop by the Welcome Desk again, we'll give you a welcome gift!

After the Saturday service and after the 9am service on Sunday, there is Bible Study, led by the pastors. Head to the West Gallery (the area with tables) on Saturday and to the gym on Sunday. Snacks and coffee will be provided.

That's all for now, but we hope we'll see you this weekend at Christ The King!

Question 2

Who is Jesus?

Answer

When God created our world around 6,000 years ago, He designed it to be perfect. There was no death, no evil, and no pain. The first humans, Adam and Eve, who were formed by God's own hand, quickly fell into sin after being tempted by Satan, a fallen angel. At that moment, sin was permanently in the world. Sin is like an incurable disease, infecting all who come in contact with it, whether humans, animals, or nature. It's passed down from generation to generation, and the end prognosis of sin is death, which separates us from God.

Here's the good news: God promised Adam and Eve that He would send a Savior to defeat sin, death, and the devil, bringing them back into the Eternal Life that they had lost. Though death was now part of the equation, it would not destroy anyone who trusted in the Savior. Throughout the Old Testament, the believers looked forward to this promised Savior, prophesied about Him, and trusted in Him.

Around 4 BC, a young woman named Mary was told that she would have a child through a miracle by the Holy Spirit and that the child would be our long-awaited Savior. Jesus was born, True God and True Man, the Son of God, brought into the world for one purpose: To live a perfect human life as only God could do, to willingly take the sins of the world onto Himself through His Baptism, to pay for those sins by suffering and dying on the Cross, to defeat sin forever through His fatal sacrifice, to descend into Hell to proclaim victory over sin and the devil, and on the third day of being dead in His tomb, to physically rise from the dead, defeating Death for all of us as well. We know through historical accounts that Jesus' tomb was empty on the third day, that many reported to have seen Him alive after His death, and that many people died while professing this truth: Jesus is alive.

Jesus has defeated sin and death forever, and everyone who believes in Him and trusts Him for salvation will also be raised from the dead on the last day and will live with God forever in perfection. We can only believe this through the Holy Spirit, who we receive as a gift from God. We do not find Jesus by our choice but are called by Him into life. He instructs all of His disciples, which includes us, to tell others about His Love, since He wants all people to be saved, and He instructs us to follow Him daily. This is the mission of the Church and the mission that we work to live out at Christ The King.

Question 3

What is the Bible?

Answer

The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. It was written by 40 different human beings who were under the direct influence of God, and though separated into the Old and New Testament, it is completely cohesive, with everything from beginning to end ultimately pointing to Jesus. The canonical Bible has been read and accepted by the Church since its start. To learn more about why we accept the Bible as God's Word, Click Here.

The Old Testament was written by prophets like Moses, David, Daniel, and many others who lived before Jesus' birth (by the way, we still see the entire Holy Trinity, including Jesus, throughout the Old Testament). It serves as a historical account, but it is also a compilation of prophetic books, showing a people waiting for the Messiah.

The New Testament was written by people who were connected to Jesus' Earthly Ministry, both before and after His Resurrection. The four Gospels tell different accounts of Jesus' Earthly Ministry, Death, and Resurrection. The remaining books are from a Post-Resurrection perspective and look forward to the second coming of Jesus, His work of salvation, and ways to live as His Church.

Question 4

What do we believe about the Sacraments?

Answer

The LCMS recognizes two sacraments: Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. We believe and use the words of Jesus when we implement each, baptizing all people, young and old, with the words 'In the Name of the Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit' and saying the Words of Institution which Jesus said at The Last Supper when we celebrate Holy Communion. These words and sacraments were instituted by Jesus Himself, and they hold the power of life, forgiveness, and renewal. Baptism connects us to Jesus' Life, Death, and Resurrection and gives us the Holy Spirit, marking us as God's redeemed. Communion offers us forgiveness and renewal through Jesus' true Body and Blood. Jesus commanded us to continue with both Baptism and Holy Communion, and administering these sacraments is part of our pastors' calling.

Question 5

Who is welcome at our church?

Answer

Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." -Matthew 11:28-30.

What is the yoke of Jesus? It is complete, ultimate righteousness, achieved by Him for our sake. In a world where we can never be good enough, we lay down the yoke of trying to earn God's love and take up the yoke of righteousness that Jesus offers every day. There is no sin, no shame, and no regret that should weigh you down or make you hide from God. Your sins have been paid for, and it's God's will that you live with this joy and faith.

At our church, we know that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness, the regular study of God's Word for our renewal, the Sacraments, and Christian Fellowship. These help us in our walk with Jesus, and all who would like a relationship with Him will find hope in His Word and His Church. No need to leave your sin at the door; Jesus already paid for it on the cross. Now He wants to call you into a relationship with Him, where your mind and life are conformed to His in repentance, peace, and faith. Join us at church this weekend to grow closer to God with us.