On any given Sunday, our time of worship will look something like the following:

The congregation GATHERS to worship God

(A time to focus our awareness of God’s presence among us.)

• Gathering music – Organ music helps us quiet ourselves to begin our worship together.

• Greeting and Announcements - This is a welcoming time and an opportunity to learn of the upcoming activities of the congregation.

• Call to worship – Often a responsive reading, we are reminded why we are here to worship. It is often taken from scripture and will introduce the theme for the day.

• Hymn – As with all of the music during worship, the hymns are chosen to relate to the scriptures and sermon of the day. Our hymnal (Chalice Hymnal) provides a rich source of hymns and worship material.

• Prayer of praise – Through prayer, we open ourselves to the presence of God.

• Passing the Peace – We greet each other with: “May the Peace of Christ be with you,” and respond:  “And also with you.”

The congregation proclaims the WORD of God

• Scripture – Reading of scripture is vital to our worship experience.  The Bible reveals the character of God and the nature of God’s creating, redeeming and sustaining activity in the world.  Scripture readings for each week are from the lectionary (add a link) and include Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalm readings.

• Anthem – Sung by the choir, the anthem also is related to the scripture readings. Often instruments are used to enhance the music experience. At times, our bell ensemble also provides music at this time.

• Sermon – The Pastor declares the good news of God using scriptures, tradition of the church, contemporary experience from the world at large and the responsible exercise of reason. As with all parts of the worship service, the scriptures of the week set the theme for the sermon.

• Hymn - As with all of the music during worship, the hymns are chosen to relate to the scriptures and sermon. Music enhances our worship experience.

• Prayers of the People –This prayer is in response to the gracious God.  We pray not as individuals but as a community.  We respond to the one who has given us life and called us into being as members of one body

 The congregation OFFERS ITS GIFTS (our response to God)

• Invitation to share – An invitation to present to God our thanks, by giving our offering.

• Offering – We place our offerings on the communion table in thanks to God.

• Prayer of Dedication – We offer our prayer of thanks as we present our gifts and offering. We dedicate ourselves to God’s service.

• Communion Hymn – This hymn helps us prepare for receiving the presence of God with us.

• Communion – Christ is the host at the communion table. Our prayer at the table is that through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ will become present to us in the breaking of bread and drinking from the cup.  Christians of any persuasion are free to share the Lord’s Supper.  The pastor leads the communion service and elders, chosen from the congregation, offer prayers of thanksgiving and for the Lord’s Supper.  Elders and deacons, in an act of service, serve the other members of the congregation. 

• Prayer of Thanksgiving – Simply, we thank God for his presence and everlasting love.

SENDING  (we are sent into the world to be Christ’s disciples)

• Hymn – This last hymn sends forth the people with a sense of God’s power and their purpose in the world.

• Benediction – Sometimes called a blessing, this is also a commission to go forth to do God’s work.

• Closing Music – We leave the sanctuary to serve God in the world.