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Weekly Sunday worship is at the center of our congregational life. It is where our community gathers to celebrate the values that unite us, to confront the challenges of living, to explore the many sources of wisdom and extend the boundaries of our understanding, and to build connections of fellowship, trust, caring and concern.
Our worship activities are in keeping with the word’s origin, which means to ascribe worth to something, to shape the things of worth. In worship we seek to identify, shape and recall that which is of greatest worth, and we do it within a community of people who agree to support each other in religious search.
The topics in worship vary widely as do the sources we draw from for insight and wisdom. They range from traditional religious scriptures of many traditions, to poetry and literature. Music is central to our services, and it, too, draws from many genres and traditions. Our services include readings, hymns, instrumental music, meditations, an offering, and a sermon by our minister or by a guest speaker. A printed Order of Service assists you in feeling comfortable as you participate with us. One Sunday each month we Share the Plate. Click What To Expect for more information on Sunday services and What To Wear for clothing styles worn.
Rev. Mark Ward is the worship leader of the church. He is assisted by other staff, the Music Director and Director of Religious Education, as well as a lay Worship Committee, which works with him on shaping the worship experience and planning worship services when the minister is absent.
It is a tenet of our religious tradition that we honor many sources of wisdom, including the wisdom we each have to share with each other. So, we provide regular opportunities during our Sunday worship for members of our congregation to share what they have learned on their religious journeys with the rest of the congregation. These brief statements are entitled “This I Believe”. Click This I Believe to read some examples.
From September through May we generally have two Sunday services, which last about an hour. The early service is a smaller, more intimate service and includes a wide variety of musical offerings. The later service is larger and almost always includes a musical offering by our Adult Choir. From June through August there is one Sunday service. Most Sunday services are recorded and audio-cassettes may be ordered and paid for at the Visitors Table on Sundays.
Nursery and childcare for those too young for our Religious Education program is provided during Sunday services. View the Children and Youth Religious Education section for details on nursery, childcare, programs and times.
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