Most weeks following this 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.
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.
Hymn 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.
Reflection Scripture
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.
Moment of Meditation
A time of reflection listening to a special musical performance from a member or a contemplative video.
Responsive Reading
Typically a Psalm or Ode of Solomon, this time gives the congregation another opportunity to participate fully in worship.
Focus Scripture or Text
A writting read by the Pastor and provides the seed of wisdom the sermon expounds on. Typically it will be a selection from the Bible, but other Christian writings pop-up from time to time.
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.
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 the reading with our lives today in meaningful ways. You can hear many archived sermons by visiting the Sermons page or watch on YouTube.
Hymn 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.
Prayers of the Community
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 drawing from what the community shares and the sermon theme.
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.
Song of Thanks
A brief song thanking God. People rise as we begin to sing.
Hymn 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.
Commission to Ministry
The pastor empowers attendees to carry the ministry of Jesus out into the world.
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.
*The last Sunday of each month is Impact Sunday.