Temporary Location
We are temporarily meeting at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.
Address:
1820 State Road 540A
Lakeland, FL 33813
Worship Service Hours:
Sunday @ 2pm
Fellowship Meal @ 4pm every 2nd Sunday
Dress
Dress at Christ Presbyterian Church is diverse. The officers are required to wear suits and clerical collars, but you will see the rest of our members in casual wear and occasionally blue jeans and a t-shirt. We simply ask for modesty. Out of love for one another we strive not to say, do, or wear anything that is crude, rude, offensive, gaudy, or unchaste. Modesty in manners and conduct is not simply a set of external rules, but the out working of a heart that truly cares about others before itself. Good manners and conduct show that you respect and are considerate of others. They demonstrate that from the heart you put other people’s concerns and needs before your own.
Worship
We seek to maintain the simplicity and purity of worship as set forth by the word and example of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. We avoid any use of symbols or ceremonies in worship that are not ordained by God to be used as means of worshipping Him. Our Worship consists of Prayer, reading of God’s Holy Word, teaching, preaching, and the administration of the sacraments. The singing of Psalms and hymns, as well as the recitation of a Confession are done prior to the formal call. You can view and/or download our order of Worship here.
Since the Apostolic church celebrated the Lord’s Supper almost as often as they met for worship (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:18,20,23), we also administer the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at each worship service when Pastor Rick Glau is present. Because Paul warns us not to allow the ignorant, scandalous, and profane to eat of the Lord’s supper (1 Cor. 11:27-31), all that would come to the table must first be examined by the session as to their understanding of this holy sacrament, their moral standing, and their membership to a true church of Jesus Christ. If you desire to participate, contact us before visiting.
Children in Worship and Infant-Communion
We are considered what some might call a “family integrated” church. However, this does not mean that we will necessarily look or act like some “family integrated” churches. The basic idea is that we encourage children of all ages to be with their parents during worship, including the sermon. At no time during worship are they asked to leave for “children’s church” or the like. We do ask however that if a child becomes unruly and/or noisy (crying, etc) that they be taken to the foyer where glass doors will help drown out the noise and not disrupt the preacher or those listening in the pews. Speakers are provided in the foyer so that you can still hear the preaching/teaching as you watch through the glass doors.
As for infant-communion, this doctrine is not taught or practiced, in any form or fashion, in this denomination. Any such violation will result in the immediate ejection of that individual, whether an officer or church member. Our position against infant-communion is unalterable as it defends our doctrinal understanding of the Westminster Standards’ teaching on communion. It is not so much the age of a person that is the issue, as it is a question of whether or not an individual satisfies and can demonstrate the requirements of Scripture, namely, that one must profess to be born again, and not be ‘an ignorant or scandalous person,’ and that, upon examination, his/her profession of faith be deemed credible by the Session.
Accessibility
There is only one level to our building and there are no stairs going into it.
Order of Worship
Musical Prelude
EXHORTATION IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Hymn of Worship
Confession of Faith: The Westminster Creed © 2010
I believe the Bible to be the only inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God, and the only true standard for all of life, faith, and practice. I believe there is but one true and living God, who is Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, which are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. I believe God has ordained whatsoever comes to pass, having made all things out of nothing, by the Word of His power, in the space of six days, and all very good. I believe that God providentially preserves and governs all His creatures and all their actions.
I believe our first parents, though created perfect in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, sinned against God, by eating the forbidden fruit, and that all mankind, through Adam’s fall, became dead in trespasses and sin. I believe that God decreed, out of the good pleasure of His will, to deliver His elect out of the bondage of sin, and to bring them into the estate of salvation by grace alone. I believe the only Mediator of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, took upon Himself man’s nature, and so was, and continues to be, God and man in two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, in one person, forever. I believe that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, and that He perfectly fulfilled the Law of God, was crucified, dead, and buried. I believe that He rose again from the dead on the third day, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father, wherein he executes the three-fold office of Prophet, Priest, and King.
I believe God requires faith in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation, and repentance unto life to escape the wrath and curse of God due to our sin. I believe we are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of the Holy Spirit. I believe by God’s free grace we are effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by His power, through faith, unto salvation, being baptized by the Holy Spirit into the invisible church of His elect, and baptized by water into the visible church, the church universal, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.
I believe that we also are given in this life the accompanying benefits of salvation as assurance of God’s love, peace, and joy by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the increase of grace and perseverance to the end. I believe that God’s Law is a standard of righteousness for all men and nations. I believe that at death, the spirit having departed from the body, immediately passes into God’s glorious presence. I believe that our bodies, being still united with Christ, rest in the grave, until the resurrection, when our bodies shall be raised up in glory, reunited with our spirits, and made perfectly blessed for all eternity. I believe that Christ is coming to judge the world at the last day; the righteous unto everlasting life, and the unrighteous unto everlasting condemnation.
Psalm of Worship
CALL TO WORSHIP
Formal Call to Worship
Congregational Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Scripture Reading
Catechetical Instruction
The Ten Commandments
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Hear also the words of our Lord Jesus, how he saith; Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Pastor’s Sermon
Lord’s Supper – if Pastor Rick Glau is present
Prayer
The Apostles Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.
Benediction
Closing Hymn
The Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
Exhortation on the Lord’s Day
Call for the Tithe
Announcements
Prayer Requests
