What to Expect - FAQS

Absolutely! Our church is made up of a wide variety of ages and families. We are thankful to have many small children worshiping with us along with older loved ones as well. There are close inter-generational bonds with all ages that are a blessing and provide mentors that offer much wisdom through life’s experiences and faithfulness to God.

There is no dress code for visiting our church and anyone is welcome regardless of their attire. You may notice that the custom of our church members is to wear the proverbial “Sunday best,” meaning that men often wear suits or shirts/ties, and women usually wear skirts/dresses. Also, many women wear veils on their head during our services (see 1 Corinthians 11). Please wear whatever makes you comfortable when you visit us!  

We hope you feel the love of Jesus at our church!  We have two services on Sundays (9:45 AM and 12:00 PM), with lunch served in between. Sermons and scripture readings are different at each service, so our church members usually stay for both. Between each service is a lunch/fellowship hour from 11-12. On most Wednesdays, we have one evening service.  Services last about 75 minutes and consist of the following:

•        15 minutes of singing
•        Old Testament reading
•        Hymn and Prayer
•        New Testament reading
•        Sermon (about 30 minutes)
•        Closing thoughts by a second minister
•        Hymn and Prayer
•        Announcements and any other closing remarks

Our services are traditional. Music consists of four-part a cappella singing, including a mix of familiar hymns and classical German melodies. Sermons are not usually prepared beforehand; ministers prayerfully open the Bible and rely on the Holy Spirit to provide the message that needs to be heard.

Yes, everyone is welcome and we would love to have you stay for lunch and fellowship. Lunch is free of charge and is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen relationships or meet new people. 

Ministers pray, study, and meditate on the Word during the week, and allow the Holy Spirit to direct their preaching during services. The prayers of the congregation are very much appreciated, and there is a pause before the service where they bow their heads and ask God for His presence as they worship together. This also allows the congregation to prepare their hearts, that they may all be edified through the worship service together. Occasionally, ministers will prepare a sermon if they feel led/ choose to do so. 

Sermons are rotated between the current active ministers from the Bern congregation. Due to the significant amount of travel between our churches, visiting ministers from other Apostolic Christian churches will conduct the service when they are present.

We use the King James Version Bible during services. Bibles are provided inside the sanctuary, though some people choose to bring their own. The Bible is read from the Old and New Testaments and is followed by preaching and exhortations from those scriptures. 

The women who are members of the Apostolic Christian church wear a head covering/veil at church, following the biblical instruction found in 1 Corinthians 11:5. Men do not wear a head covering/veil (1 Corinthians 11:4).

Our church members often greet one another with a traditional holy kiss/ kiss of charity (love). This practice follows the biblical instruction found in Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14. The men, called Brothers, greet the brothers while the women, called Sisters, greet the sisters. Paul encouraged the churches to practice this in order to promote unity and express agape love for one another. We believe it is still relevant for this day and time in bringing forth the same goal. 

Note that only those who are members of an Apostolic Christian church greet each other in this way.

We encourage our families and couples to be inclusive of individuals who may attend church by themselves. To this end, you will see groups of women sitting with women on one side of the sanctuary and men sitting with men on the other side, rather than most couples sitting together.  

This allows everyone whether married or single to feel a part of God’s family in such a way that brings peace and harmony. It also promotes relationships and friendships that help bond us as a church family. There are occasions such as weddings, funerals, and yearly programs where families will sit together. Please feel welcome to sit wherever you feel comfortable - with family, spouses and/or your friends.

Our Apostolic Christian church sings "a cappella" during worship for several reasons. The early churches of the apostles sang in this fashion. The phrase a cappella, which now means “without instrumental accompaniment,” originally meant “as in church”. The voice is a wonderful gift. You could say that God has given each of us a musical instrument to use, and He is pleased when we blend our voices to glorify Him during worship. The four part harmony is pure, beautiful, and allows everyone who attends to participate. Together as a congregation, voices are lifted up as an offering from the heart that bonds us together with the Lord.

Yes. Children three and older may attend Sunday School during the morning service. (Sunday School is not offered during the summer). If you have children that age, they are welcome to attend (or they can sit with you in the main church service, if you prefer). The morning begins with all students singing together in the Sunday School assembly area. Students are then split up by age group into classrooms where they participate in Bible lessons and activities with their peers.

All children sit with their parent/guardian during the afternoon service.

We love to see our church full of children! If you plan to bring a baby or toddler, we have a baby room that is furnished with changing pads, rocking chairs, a few toys, a bottle-sized refrigerator, microwave, sink, and family restroom.  We also have sleeping/nursing rooms that contain rocking chairs and cribs. Children under three years old stay with their parent/guardian during morning and afternoon services; childcare is not provided for that age group.

After the closing prayer, a minister will go to the pulpit and ask if anyone has “Greetings.” You will observe members stand and say, “Greetings from _______” This will be the town or place of another Apostolic Christian church where they are either from, or have visited. The minister will repeat the names of the town (s) in order for the congregation to hear. He will then ask the visitors to take our Christian love and greetings back to their respective churches. This tradition stems from the early churches of Christ where they would travel from place to place, offering greetings and salutations. This reminds us of the common bond with fellow believers across the globe, and keeps us close in spirit.

Note: Anyone in the congregation who prays out-loud or “gives greetings” will be either a member of the Bern Apostolic Christian Church or a member of another Apostolic Christian church that is visiting.

Refer to “Ministries” page.