Our worship service is flexible: we are always experimenting and tweaking as we strive to create space for each person to connect with the Spirit in their own way through scripture, reflection, prayer, music, and silence. For a detailed breakdown of a typical service, please scroll down to the Overview of Service section. There are shorter pews available for folks to sit with loved ones with wheelchairs or walkers.
Sermons
The Pastor always looks for ways to make sermons relevant, interesting, and fun. Sermons always start off with setting the scripture passage in its historical context, followed by reflection on how the lesson or situation then applies to life now. The use of artwork, pictures or videos create a strong visual accompaniment. Open minds and quality thinking caps are suggested.
Fifth Sunday
The Fifth Sunday of every month we meet in the Social Hall of the Church and preform a mission project in place of the Sermon. Projects change every month so keep an eye out on our social media feeds and church newsletter to learn more.
Order of Service
Most weeks following this basic pattern (During the Covid Crisis our online service is a little different, but follows the same basic pattern):
Prelude
Music playing quietly while people find a seat and settle in.
Welcome
The Pastor welcomes the congregation to worship.
Opening Meditation
A piece of music played or sung by the choir to help people prepare themselves for worship.
Call to Worship
A responsive reading calling people to worship. Anyone able is invited to stand.
Hymn or Song sung by congregation
The song will most likely be in the hymnal (song book) and the hymn number will be in the bulletin and the words will also be projected on the screen.
Opening Prayer
Prayer of Invocation: A prayer read from the bulletin that requests God's Presence in our worship.
Song of Praise
We sing a short piece of music glorifying God.
Passing the Peace
During this time in the service we remember Jesus' promise by greeting one another with the words, "The peace of Christ be with you." The response is most often, "And also with you." This time draws to an end as music begins softly playing and people return to their seats.
First Reading
The worship leader reads a passage from the Bible
Reflection
The worship leader offers a short reflection on the passage. These are thematically linked with what the Sermon.
Choral Anthem/Special Music
During the summer we have people providing special music for the service. The rest of the year our choir sings most Sundays.
Responsive Reading
Typically a Psalm, this time gives the congregation another opportunity to participate fully in worship.
A Time for the Young at Heart
Children 12 and under are invited to come to the front of the worship space (if they would like) for a lesson just for them. After this, children are allowed to go off to Sunday School.
Second Reading
A scripture passage read by the Pastor and is the scripture the sermon is based upon.
Sermon
This is the Pastor's message for the week. It can take many forms but the general goal is to connect the message from scripture with our lives today in meaningful ways. You can hear many archived sermons by visiting the Sermons Podcast page.
Hymn or Song sung by the congregation
The song will most likely be in the hymnal (song book) and the hymn number will be in the bulletin and the words will also be projected on the screen.
Time to Share
This is an opportunity for members of the community to share their prayer requests with the pastor and the whole congregation. Feel free to speak up and share a prayer request of your own if you would like.
Pastoral Prayer
Prayer spoken by the Pastor.
Lord's Prayer
The prayer taken from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew chapter 6. It is spoken in unison, printed in the bulletin and projected on the screen.
Communion
This only happens on the first Sunday of each month and on special occasions. There are detailed instructions in the bulletin and projected at the front. You can participate if you would like or pass if you prefer. It is open. You are welcome. But it is not mandatory if you are not comfortable.
Call to Offering
This is the announcement that we will be taking the collection from the congregation. This is where the church gets its funding to support our vital ministries and mission work.
Doxology
A brief song thanking God. People rise as we begin to sing.
Hymn or Song sung by the congregation
The song will most likely be in the hymnal (song book) and the hymn number will be in the bulletin and the words will also be projected on the screen.
Benediction/Musical Benediction
A benediction is a pastoral blessing, prayer or final thought. Sometimes the Pastor offers the benediction and then one is sung by the choir or congregation.
Postlude
Music playing while people leave the worship space. The Pastor and the member who served as "Worship Leader" or "Liturgist" will be at the door to the worship space to greet folks as they leave. At this point there is usually coffee and/or snacks in the Gathering Area or Fellowship Hall for people to have while they are chatting and catching up.