Purcellvillecoc.org
Title
The church of Christ, located in Purcellville, Virginia.
Description
Following the New Testament pattern in worship, Christian living, and doctrine.
The church's purpose is not to contribute to the religious division that is so widespread in our society, nor to be a denomination or sect (John 17:20-21, I Corinthians 1:10). Its purpose and plea is to direct men and women back to the New Testament to God's original plan for the church and its members. Church members in the New Testament were called Christians. The church of Christ in Purcellville desires the same: to be Christians only and only Christians.
History
The Purcellville congregation was established December 27, 1998, by four related families, who desired a church modeled after the church described in the New Testmanent. Within a few weeks, the church added six more families. During this period, there were approximately 30 people in attendance on Sunday.
The church met in the home of Bob and Jan White on Sunday mornings and Jamey and Dori White on Wednesday evenings from December 1998 until July 1999, when the congregation was able to rent space in the town’s recreation center. The church later rented the skating rink for several months to hold mid-week evening services until the recreation center could offer space to rent for those gatherings. The church moved from the recreation center into rented space in a new business/office facility on North Maple in October 2001, where the church currently meets. In 2003, the church purchased a 3.7 acre track of land for a future building site.
In early 1999, the congregation, per the model in Acts 14:23, identified two men who were qualified to be elders: Bob White and Kevin Thornburg. Both men agreed to serve and they, in turn, selected four men to serve as deacons. The elders chose two additional men to serve as deacons in 2001, bringing the number to six. The congregation experienced a setback in early 2002 when Brother Thornburg and his wife moved back to their home state of Ohio, which necessitated the cessation of the eldership and deaconate. The church hired Lance Grimsley as its first pulpit preacher in May 2006. In June 2007, the church again appointed elders per the same New Testament model: Dave Tollett, Clyde Roby, and Joel Tinnel.
The church presently has regular Sunday attendance of 65-75 people, representing approximately 22 households. The church is preparing to break ground to build its first permanent meeting house in late 2007 and expects to be moved into the facility in mid 2008, just before its 10th anniversary.
Additional Information
The church is known to be very friendly and loves and encourages visitors. Those visiting can expect the worship service to be simple, consisting only those acts of worship specifically authorized in the New Testament:
- Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs are sung by the congregation (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16)
- Public prayers are offered (I Timothy 2:1-3)
- The Lord's supper (the memorial of the crucified Christ) is observed each Sunday by all who have obeyed the Gospel (Acts 20:7)
- Members of the congregation give into the treasury in order to spread the Gospel and to ensure that those in need may be taken care of (I Corinthians 16:1-2) Visitors are never asked to contribute to the treasury.
- A sermon from God’s word is delivered and attendees are given an opportunity to obey the Gospel or rededicate their lives to Christ (Acts 20:7)
Bi-yearly gospel meetings are held to edify the whole congregation. These series, along with select weekly sermons, are taped and made available on the church's web site for all to hear.
Age-appropriate Bible classes are offered free to the entire community on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Class topics and times, along with worship times and directions, are provided on the church's web site.
The church has an active youth group. Monthly activities, including an annual Vacation Bible School (VBS), a 3-day Bible camp, and various fun activities, are enjoyed by the youth and those young at heart. Information on upcoming events is posted on the church's calendar, which is part of the eBulletin.
Location and Contact Information
The church meets in Suite 201 at 201 North Maple Avenue in Purcellville, Virginia. The church may be contacted via telephone at 1-540-338-0070 or via email at 
