Sunday morning worship is the weekly time when we gather as a community to have our hearts filled, our minds challenged, and our spirits refreshed so that we can go out into the world to love and serve others throughout the week. Sunday Worship is the time when we to get out of our own heads and learn to see the world as God does.
Our Sunday worship service, which is actually based on ancient forms of worship, becomes the pattern for our lives. Rather than being based off entertainment models or popular trends, we prefer to draw from the rich well of tradition that has come before us. From there, we innovate and add different worship practices.
Our services have a general pattern that move through four stages – Gathering, Hearing, Responding, and Sending – and varies a little according to the seasons of the church year.
1.) Gathering – ringing of the bell, reflective music, a responsive reading based on ancient prayers, a sung hymn, a prayer read in unison, a welcome from the Pastor, announcements about the ministry of our church, and the sharing of our joys and concerns.
2.) Hearing – an anthem by one of our music groups, listening to the ancient stories of the faith from the Bible, and a sermon that helps explain and relate these ancient texts.
3.) Responding – A time of silent reflection, prayers of the community, and an offering collected to support the mission and ministry of our church.
4.) Sending – a closing hymn, a blessing from the Pastor, and a musical postlude.
Following worship, people gather in the Parish Hall for our Coffee Hour – a time for coffee and conversation and catching up with others. While it can be a little awkward, know that you are more than welcome to join us.