We know how it can feel walking into a church and having no idea what is happening. Take a look below to discover a little bit about what happens at Southwest!

Music
The first thing you will probably notice here is our approach to music which is likely a little different from what you’re used to. Following in the footsteps of the early church, we sing without instrumental accompaniment (“a cappella”; meaning “according to the chapel”). Singing a cappella is consistent with New Testament Teaching as shown in passages such as this one:

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”   Ephesians 5:19

All of us, from the youngest to the oldest, whether male or female, teach each other through song. So sing along with us! We need your voice, lifted up in praise to God, along with ours. The effect is astonishing, uplifting and, beautiful and, we hope, pleasing to our Father.

Prayer
At some point in our worship service, one of our men will lead our hearts and minds in prayer. Prayer is simply communication with God.

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14;

God wants to hear from you. He wants a full relationship with us. Prayer allows us to talk with God directly.

Communion
Communion is a memorial celebrating Jesus as the final sacrifice for sin, overcoming physical death, and, shortly after this, ushering in a new covenant with God. Stemming from the Jewish Passover festival, communion was instituted by Jesus for us to remember His body that was sacrificed to pay for our sins and His blood that initiated a new covenant with us. As a fulfillment of the old covenant, we now can have a personal relationship with God. We offer communion every Sunday as the scriptures describe. We must continually examine our hearts in preparation for this weekly memorial and not allow this remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice to become mundane.

“While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29;

Giving
Unlike the Old Testament tithe of ten percent, we are now under a “better covenant” established on “better promises” (Hebrews 8:6). And in this new, better covenant, God commands us to give from the heart.

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

“Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.” I Corinthians 16:2

Sermon
During the sermon we proclaim the Word of God. We study the scriptures, understanding the issues during the first century and looking to how we can apply God’s message to our lives in this century. We learn about the great love God has for His creation and how we can be confident in our relationship with Him.

If you miss any of our sermons or need to get caught up on the current series, check out our Video page for sermon videos!