First Christian Church - Bedford, Indiana

First Christian Church

First Christian Church
1101- 15th Street
Bedford, IN 47421
812-275-4497
firstccbedford@gmail.com

Deepening Our Roots Extending Our Reach

Belief in Jesus Christ Service to others

Belonging to the kingdom of God Focus on children, families, senior adults

Spiritual growth

From the Senior Minister... Monthly Calendar Prayer Requests

SUNDAY MORNING
Sunday School 9:30AM
Worship 10:30AM

Scripture Reading

Acts 1:6-14

         So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
         He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Sama'ria and to the end of the earth."
         And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
         Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away; and when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

and welcome to the First Christian Church of Bedford, Indiana web site. If you are a member of the church, we hope you use this web site as a tool to further your walk with our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are a visitor to the church, we hope you find this web site helpful in learning who we are and what we believe.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to call us at (812) 275-4497, write to us at 1101 - 15th St., Bedford, Indiana 47421 or e-mail us at First Christian Church.

ABOUT OUR CONGREGATION

First Christian Church has existed as a congregation since 1846. A group of persons from the Leatherwood Christian Church met in Bedford to establish a Christian Church in the city. The first building was built in 1854. In 1900 a new building was built to meet the needs of that time. Shortly thereafter a classroom addition was added. In 1987 an extensive remodeling program was completed.

We affirm that under the immensity of the Creator God, we come to faith in many different ways. Our tradition encourages varying Biblical interpretations of theological understandings. Together, we join with the Church Universal to affirm that Jesus is the Christ, the Lord and Savior of all humanity.

ABOUT THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

This congregation is a part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Ours is a church founded in the American frontier in the early 19^th century. Since its beginning, the Disciples of Christ have endeavored to increase respect, understanding, and unity among Christ's followers. As Disciples, we strive to remain obedient to the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament by practicing a faith which is socially relevant and intellectually sound. Members are bound together in fellowship and service and by their faith commitment in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, which has been the central affirmation of the church since the first century. On other matters, the church recognizes the right to exercise freedom of opinion. This practice is a sustaining force in the life of the church. We hold that "in essentials, unity; in opinion, liberty; and in all things, love." There are approximately 800,000 members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.

THE COMMUNION SERVICE

Disciples congregations celebrate communion every Sunday. As people of the table, we affirm the grace of God in Jesus Christ and we seek to be strengthened by God's presence through the bread and cup, which were used by Jesus to demonstrate the covenant initiated by God's Grace. We practice "open communion," which means it is not necessary to belong to the congregation to participate. Thus, all Christians, members of all churches, are invited to participate.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Most Sunday worship services include the saying of the Lord's Prayer. The wording spoken by our congregation is as follows:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven,
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins, as we forgive
those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil. for thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

THE RED CHALICE SYMBOL

The red chalice, bearing the "X-shaped" cross of St. Andrew is the symbol of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The chalice symbolizes the centrality of the Lord's Supper to Disciples life. The St. Andrew's Cross, the national cross of Scotland, focuses attention on the Scottish-Presbyterian roots of the church. Thomas and Alexander Campbell both studied in Scotland and were Presbyterians. St. Andrew has been identified with the laity and evangelism, prominent emphases of the Disciples over the years. The red color of the chalice signifies vitality, spirit and sacrifice.

CHURCH SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES

Church school for all ages begins on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Adults may choose from a variety of classes. Classes for children and youth meet in the lower level education hallway.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

All youth (grade 2-12) are welcome to become involved in the Youth Group. The group typically meets on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. during the school year. After a common meal, the youth meet in age-level groups: Junior Youth Fellowship, Chi Rho, and Christian Youth Fellowship. Our youth are not only "the church of tomorrow," they are a part of the church today.

JOINING THE CHURCH

In almost every service of worship, we have a "Hymn of Invitation." If you would like to become a member of the congregation, we would welcome you to come to the front of the Sanctuary during this hymn. The minister will receive you as a new member. We accept members by TRANSFER and CONFESSION OF FAITH. TRANSFER means you are a member of another church and want to place your membership at First Christian Church. Many times a minister will ask if you rededicate your life to Christ and the work of the church. It is not necessary for you to arrange a letter of transfer. The church office will contact your former church. CONFESSION OF FAITH is for those people who have never belonged to a church. The most common confession is "I believe that Jesus is the Chrsit, the Son of the Living God, and accept him as my Lord and Savior."

Baptism recalls the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, while at the same time acts out the death and burial of the old self to new life in Christ. While we practice believer's baptism by immersion, we do recognize the baptism of persons coming from other faith traditions.

WELCOME CHILDREN

During worship, child care is provided for infants and toddlers in the Nursery. Each Sunday, there is a Children's Message in the worship servie. After this thime, children from kindergarten to second grade may leave to attend Children's Church and children from third to fifth grade may leave to attend Junior Church. Adult leaders will escort children to their repective meeting areas. There is no Junior Church on the first Sunday of the month and those children are to remain in the sanctury.