Experiencing a service at Living Waters Church may be different from what you are used to. I thought it might be helpful if I explained a little of what happens here.
First, we’re not a very religious group. If you are used to a lot of pomp and ceremony we don’t have much. Our worship is based on participation, not performance. We like to get everybody involved to the level they feel comfortable.
Secondly, we’re excited about God, Jesus and the Bible. We express that excitement much the same way people do when they are excited about anything. We clap our hands, sing enthusiastically, shout and even occasionally jump up and down. It’s kind of like visiting a Buffalo Bills game with a big Bills fan. When the Bills score, pandemonium breaks loose. If you are not a big Bills fan it can seem like people are getting too excited over just a game. Well, we’re big God fans here and when you first visit we can seem a little excited too.
Thirdly, we seriously believe that God’s presence can visit us during our service. That makes worship very personal. People will look like they’re really feeling something and they are. Sometimes they will lift their faces or hands up to the Lord in adoration. Often many people will begin singing spontaneous songs to the Lord in English or another language that God gives them. Each will sing their own song, but it will all blend together into a beautiful harmony. Occasionally a person will sense a special encouragement from the Lord that they feel to share with the whole church. They will just speak it out loud at an appropriate moment. It’s great to see so many people involved. All this can seem confusing at first but often things we aren’t familiar with can seem confusing. After you visit two or three times, the order of it all will be apparent to you.
Lastly, we’re a Bible-centered church. All of these various forms of worship I’ve described are in the Bible. If you’re interested in checking out for yourself what the Bible says about worship, here are some good Scriptures to start with: 1 Tim. 2:8, Ps. 47:1, 150:4, and 1 Cor. 14.
If what you see and hear in our services is a new experience for you, we hope you will not feel awkward. We want to help you understand this unfamiliar experience and we also want you to know that we have a place for you… just as you are.