Join Us | Tamworth Congregational Church

OUR STORY

On the 20th of September, 1792, the first church meeting was held at the house of Mr. William Eastman. At which meeting George Dodge was unanimously chosen Clerk, and William Eastman and Oliver Fowler Deacons. The church being thus organized, it was voted, "That the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper be administered on the first Sabbath in November." The communion season was anticipated with great delight. The little church now (Nov. 4), numbered nineteen; thirteen males and six females.

The long desired season arrived. This was the first time many of the congregation had witnessed the celebration of the Lord's Supper. A deep solemnity pervaded the audience. To the church it was a Pentecostal season. Previous to passing the bread Mr. Hidden reminded them of the love of Christ, his death and atonement. He reminded them of his last supper and his sufferings in the garden. Said he, "I come to break bread to you here in the wilderness. The manna is ready. Eat ye all of it." This season cannot be better described than in the words of one who was present. "This season," said he, "was awfully solemn. There was not a man, woman, or child who was not affected to tears. This was the first time such a season had been enjoyed in the town, and we were so thankful that we had now the stated means of grace, a church and a pastor, dearer to every heart than life itself; we could express our gratitude only by deep sobbings of the heart. The fountains of our souls were broken up. We felt that Christ was present with us. We blessed him and covenanted to be his forever. This was a foretaste of heavenly communion; it was the house of God and the very gate of heaven."

The following lines of Mr. Hidden are fraught with great interest: “I have today, for the first time, administered the Lord's Supper to my little flock. The act was new to me. As I looked 'round on those who partook of the elements of Christ's body and blood, I thought how happy we shall be in heaven when we sit around Christ's table and he, at the head. Then these bodies will be changed. They will be like Christ's glorious body.”

OUR COVENANT

Having been brought by God’s sovereign grace to repent and believe in the good news of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:8 – 10) and His saving work, and having been baptized (Acts 2:38) upon our profession of faith, we do now, relying on His grace, solemnly and joyfully affirm our covenant with each other, We will pray and labor to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, devoted to the glory of God, resting in the gospel of his Son, and being dependent upon the work of the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:12-13).

We will not forsake assembling together, but will faithfully attend our corporate worship, treasuring our church’s opportunity to sing, pray, and receive the whole counsel of God’s Word. We will defend and maintain a gospel-centered ministry by upholding and attending to biblical preaching, the administration of the sacraments, and the exercise of church discipline.

We will walk together in Christian love, as becomes the members of a local church: we will pray for and serve one another, exercise an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other, and reject all opportunities to speak or hear gossip or slander. We will instead seek to encourage one another and build each other up in the faith (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

We will rejoice with those who rejoice and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows.

We will seek to proclaim and adorn the gospel of Christ before our family, friends, and neighbors and faithfully transfer the gospel to future generations.

We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of our local church, to the care of our members, and to the spread of the gospel locally and to all nations.

We will, if we move from this place, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the gospel of this covenant and the teaching of God’s Word.

We affirm the traditional historical creeds of the Church as they expound Biblical truth; The Apostles Creed, The Nicene Creed.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 Amen.