The Passing of the Peace
Holy Communion
Easter Lily Procession

Pilate Washes His Hands of Guilt Before Crucifying Jesus	Abraham Prepares to Sacrifice His Son Isaac

The most important way to participate in the life of the church is to worship on Sunday morning. Our services begin at 10 a.m. (except during July, when we worship at South Church beginning at 9:30). Our style of worship reflects the wide range of religious backgrounds represented in our congregation. Like all Protestant churches, we place a high value on evocative sermons, inspiring choral music, and robust hymn-singing, but we also enrich our services with a variety of sung responses and moments of silence. During the time for "Joys and Concerns" people share information and request prayers for individuals and families of the church as well as for those in the wider community and around the world. On the first Sunday of each month, Holy Communion is served. To accommodate those for whom alcohol is a problem, our church uses grape juice for the sacrament instead of wine.

During the early portion of the service, school age children participate as readers.  On some Sundays, there is a special "Time for Children."  On most Sundays, children leave for their church school classes before the sermon. For infants and pre-schoolers, nursery care is provided throughout the morning. (See Ministry to the Children.)

Following each worship service, the congregation adjourns to the Parish Hall for fellowship and refreshments. At around 11:20 a.m., when the bell rings, people have the option of attending one or more Second Hour programs whose topics and locations are listed in the worship bulletin. Usually, the main Second Hour program takes place in the Memorial Room. Sometimes our youth groups (Pre-Initiation Group, or PIGs, and Initiation to Adulthood Group) meet during this time slot, and sometimes they meet on Sunday evening. The youngest children are welcome to stay on in the nursery (where they are served snacks - see Ministry to the Children.)

We recognize that going to the coffee hour for the first time is a psychologically difficult and awkward thing for most visitors to do, especially if you don’t know anyone in the congregation already. Attending Second Hour programs is an easier way to meet others, since the program provides some comfortable structure and it doesn’t require standing in a room full of strangers.

For directions to First Church, click here.

During the month of July, our congregation worships each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at South Congregational Church, and in August, South Church worships with us at our usual time of 10 a.m.