Worship
About Sunday Worship
Worship is the heartbeat of this diverse and lively community of faith. From the moment you step through our doors off the Common on Main Street, we hope you experience a welcome that allows you to feel that you have come home.
Our services at 9:30 on Sunday mornings, as well as other times throughout the year, bring together the riches of our Congregational heritage found in scripture and sermon, sacraments and prayer, anthem and song, and of course, fellowship that connect Christian faith with the contemporary world. We believe that in the gathered community we experience the presence of God whose love revealed in Jesus Christ embraces us all.
Our 5:30 pm Sunday Evening services begin with a substantial snack/light meal. They are casual with a shorter, interactive sermon. While there is no childcare available, children are just as welcome as in our morning services.
As evidenced by the Passing of the Peace during any Sunday morning worship, our congregation is one of love, care, inclusivity, and support. It is a time that exemplifies the joy and love we find in connecting with one another and often only comes to an end because the Pastor calls us back to formal worship. Guests are warmly embraced in our desire to assure them that they are welcome. Our children are known and celebrated with delight and our elders who have difficulty moving around the sanctuary are surrounded with joy.
When people speak of church as a social club, we’d rather speak of it as a spiritual club. The spiritual connection we have with each other and the community of which we are a part, both locally and globally, is wide and deep, sweeping and refreshing, and sometimes turbulent and challenging. We are a curious bunch, eager to be intellectually stimulated, explore, challenge, and grow in our faith.
We delight in multi-generational ministry, joyfully welcoming all of God’s children, young and old in our worship.
Baptisms are celebrated with joy and thanksgiving here as we welcome children and adults into God's family. Baptisms are arranged through the Pastor.
We celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month and at special seasonal services. Our communion table is open to all who wish to know the presence of Christ and to share in the community of God’s people.
We welcome children in worship!
A typical worship service will feature a Children’s Message that presents a lesson in terms that young children can grasp before the children leave the sanctuary to attend Sunday School.
For childrens’ entertainment we provide books, toys, and interactive childrens’ bulletins that can be enjoyed in the sanctuary during worship. These items can be found in the Narthex (entry) area below the name tag board. If your child needs a break, you are welcome to take them to our Nursery below in Fellowship Hall. Restrooms are located across from the Church Parlor (outside the double doors on the left side of the Sanctuary) as well as downstairs. For safety, we require parents or older siblings to accompany children in a "buddy system" around the church. We invite everyone to Fellowship Hall after worship for coffee, snacks and socializing.
Sunday School does not meet during the summer, but that doesn’t mean children can’t find a novel way to be entertained in the sanctuary!
Some tips for experiencing worship with children:
Sit toward the front where it is easier for your little ones to see and hear what's going on. They tire of seeing the backs of other's heads.
Quietly explain the parts of the Service and actions of the pastor, ushers, choir, etc. Sing the hymns, pray, and voice the responses. Children learn to worship by being in worship with others.
If you have to leave the service with your child, feel free to do so, but please come back. As Jesus said, "Let the children come to me."
Remember that the way we welcome children in church directly affects the way they respond to the Church, to God, and to one another. Let them know that they are at home in this house of worship.
God put the wiggle in children, we don’t try to suppress it!
Special Services
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Baptisms
We welcome one and all to consider what role baptism can play in their spiritual journey.
Baptism is a sacrament in our tradition-an outward sign of an invisible truth. That truth is that we are God’s beloved children.
Our Book of Worship and the World Council on Churches note that, “Baptism with water and the Holy Spirit is the mark of [ . . . ] acceptance into the care of Christ’s church, the sign and seal of [ . . . ] participation in God’s forgiveness, and the beginning of [ . . . ] new growth into full Christian faith and life.”
We baptize people throughout life’s journey and Pastor Sara would be happy to speak with you about the process of getting baptized or having your child baptized.
There are no fees for getting baptized. We often encourage people to become a member if getting baptized but it is not necessarily required.
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Weddings
We are proud of our beautiful church home and want to share it with as many people as possible! We welcome members and non-members to consider using our space for weddings.
Fees are based on a scale and are generally a bit higher for non-members, though some instances may offer more flexibility.
Those wishing to be married by Pastor Sara will be expected to go through a bit of marital counseling; for non-members wishing to bring in outside musicians and officiants, ‘bench’ fees may be incurred depending on the circumstances.
Our Book of Worship notes the following about marriage:
“The essence of marriage is a covenanted commitment that has its foundation in the faithfulness of God’s love. The marriage ceremony is the glad occasion on which two people unite in the mutual exchange of covenant promises (vows). The one presiding acts as an official representative of the church and gives the marriage the church’s blessing. The congregation joins in affirming the marriage and in offering support and thanksgiving for the new family.”
Oh yes, Pastor Sara is happy to perform outdoor ceremonies, too!
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Funerals & Memorial Services
Pastor Sara is honored to support those nearing the end of life and their families.
This moment of transition is extremely difficult for all involved and people may come together in a faith community to share in such hard times.
We are able to have memorial services for those who are non-members. Please inquire for more information.
Looking to reserve the Church as an alternate/back-up location for your event? We’re happy to accommodate requests as the space is available. A nominal hold fee may apply.