Worship is a service to the divine that transforms us.
Worship is a service to the divine that transforms us—through solace, through challenge, through fellowship—to work for justice and live in harmony with all creation.
Lent is one of many seasons of the church year that developed millennia ago to help guide and nurture our faith. During our worship from Ash Wednesday (March 1) to Holy Saturday (April 15), each of us is invited to go deeply into the story of Jesus’ public ministry as well as his execution through additional silence and more meditative song. In doing so, we allow the Easter mystery work on us more powerfully.
Although it is structurally formal, our services are not staid or stiff. We value whole persons and whatever emotion or expression of faith you may bring, be it laughter or tears, silence or alleluias.
Lenten Centering Music
Silence
Sung Call to Worship
A formal and mutual invitation to move into the worship experience, which we will sing during the season of Lent.
Invoking the Holy
God is always with us, so this spoken “invoking” or invitation to God, is really an invitation to our own selves to become aware of that constant presence.
Prayer of Confession
Confession has a long tradition in Christian history. It is a way to name our own brokenness and failing, sometimes generically and sometimes quite specifically, as a means to cleanse our hearts as we move through the service.
Silent Personal Confession
A brief moment to reflect on the prayer and your own heart and life. Silence is as important as noise in our dialogue with the divine.
Words of Assurance
As a people of Easter, there is always good news: When we die to our brokenness, we live again in hope.
Passing of the Peace
This is an ancient Christian tradition in which we show we carry no weapons, only love, by shaking hands, bumping fists, giving hugs, or however else we are moved to greet each other.
Children’s Celebration
Children are very important to our church. Each service they come forward for a special lesson just for them. We want all children to know they are welcome everywhere in our sanctuary, even—especially—at the very front. Children can remain in worship throughout the service, though throughout Lent the younger children are welcome to have an extra session of Godly Play after the Children's Celebration. We have books and activity packs available for those with ants in their pants. Nursery care is also available throughout worship for your infant through kindergarten-aged children.
Scripture
Throughout the year we follow an order of readings called the Narrative Lectionary (NL). As its developers write, the NL “is a four-year cycle of readings. On the Sundays from September through May each year the texts follow the sweep of the biblical story, from Creation through the early Christian church. The texts show the breadth and variety of voices within Scripture. They invite people to hear the stories of Abraham and Sarah, Moses and the prophets, Jesus, and Paul. Listening to the many different voices within Scripture enriches preaching and the life of faith.” It also ensures that we do not just engage with the scripture we like, but all of the parts of our tradition and selves, even that which makes us uncomfortable.
We use many translations of the Bible, including the New Revised Standard Version, the New International Version, the Good News Bible, the Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translation, translations by Robert Alter, the King James Version, the Message, the Promise, and more. We understand the Bible to be a collection of holy stories inspired by the encounters of people and communities with God. The stories speak truth, but through prayer and ongoing study, we may hear new truths over time. This is why we profess that God is still speaking.
Sermon
Our day’s preacher (usually Pr. Eileen Gebbie, sometimes guests or congregants) takes about fifteen minutes to reflect on the day’s scripture. Sometimes it is a historical, contextual analysis, using theologies that range from Black Liberation to post-colonial to traditional reform. At other times the reading may be a jumping off point to considering how we live in and into a given contemporary issue. You will find that we do not heavily emphasize absolute answers, but heavily value questions that push us to grow. You may read all of Pr. Eileen’s sermons here and listen to many of them here.
Silence
Hymn of Reflection or Hymn of Preparation if it is a Sunday with Holy Communion
The practice of a public, shared meal was inspired by the meal that Jesus is said to have shared with his disciples before his death in Matthew 26:26–29, Mark 14:22–25, Luke 22:15–20, and John 6:51–58 (“The Last Supper”). Our Communion table is open to all: young and old, faithful and dubious. No one will be turned away. We serve the bread and the juice through “intinction,” which means dipping the bread into the juice. Your server will offer each to you with the phrases “the Bread of Life” and “the Cup of Blessing.” If you are unable to come forward but would like to participate in the meal, simply wait for your row to be empty, then raise your hand. A server will come to you. The bread is free of gluten, soy, and dairy. We invite those who are able to bring canned goods for the Food at First pantry and to set them at the Communion table before being served. We celebrate Communion on the third Sunday of each month.
Prayers of the Church
The day’s worshipers share prayer needs as so moved.
Prayer of Our Savior/The Lord’s Prayer
The basics of the Lord’s Prayer appear in Matthew 6:9–13 and Luke 11:2–4. It may be familiar to you in this form, or with “sins” or “trespasses” toward the end. We also support the use of traditional or contemporary language for addressing the holy and naming the holy’s realm.
Offering
Our financial gifts go to support the work and mission of our church. Coins and bills are sent to mission partners like Food at First and Youth Standing Strong. Checks, unless otherwise designated, go to the church proper to help keep our ministries (like worship, youth group, and Godly Play) vital. If you would like to sign up for electronic giving, please click here or contact Katie Bonney for details ([email protected], (515) 232-9323). During the offering, our Chancel Choir or other musical group offer their own talents to God.
Prayer of Dedication
Blessing our offerings of time, talent, and treasure. Our greatest gift is that of our presence.
Hymn of Sending
Benediction
From the Latin of “well” and “to speak,” this is one final good word to send us off. And off we go to the parlor for coffee, tea, treats, and community!
Lent is one of many seasons of the church year that developed millennia ago to help guide and nurture our faith. During our worship from Ash Wednesday (March 1) to Holy Saturday (April 15), each of us is invited to go deeply into the story of Jesus’ public ministry as well as his execution through additional silence and more meditative song. In doing so, we allow the Easter mystery work on us more powerfully.
Although it is structurally formal, our services are not staid or stiff. We value whole persons and whatever emotion or expression of faith you may bring, be it laughter or tears, silence or alleluias.
Lenten Centering Music
Silence
Sung Call to Worship
A formal and mutual invitation to move into the worship experience, which we will sing during the season of Lent.
Invoking the Holy
God is always with us, so this spoken “invoking” or invitation to God, is really an invitation to our own selves to become aware of that constant presence.
Prayer of Confession
Confession has a long tradition in Christian history. It is a way to name our own brokenness and failing, sometimes generically and sometimes quite specifically, as a means to cleanse our hearts as we move through the service.
Silent Personal Confession
A brief moment to reflect on the prayer and your own heart and life. Silence is as important as noise in our dialogue with the divine.
Words of Assurance
As a people of Easter, there is always good news: When we die to our brokenness, we live again in hope.
Passing of the Peace
This is an ancient Christian tradition in which we show we carry no weapons, only love, by shaking hands, bumping fists, giving hugs, or however else we are moved to greet each other.
Children’s Celebration
Children are very important to our church. Each service they come forward for a special lesson just for them. We want all children to know they are welcome everywhere in our sanctuary, even—especially—at the very front. Children can remain in worship throughout the service, though throughout Lent the younger children are welcome to have an extra session of Godly Play after the Children's Celebration. We have books and activity packs available for those with ants in their pants. Nursery care is also available throughout worship for your infant through kindergarten-aged children.
Scripture
Throughout the year we follow an order of readings called the Narrative Lectionary (NL). As its developers write, the NL “is a four-year cycle of readings. On the Sundays from September through May each year the texts follow the sweep of the biblical story, from Creation through the early Christian church. The texts show the breadth and variety of voices within Scripture. They invite people to hear the stories of Abraham and Sarah, Moses and the prophets, Jesus, and Paul. Listening to the many different voices within Scripture enriches preaching and the life of faith.” It also ensures that we do not just engage with the scripture we like, but all of the parts of our tradition and selves, even that which makes us uncomfortable.
We use many translations of the Bible, including the New Revised Standard Version, the New International Version, the Good News Bible, the Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translation, translations by Robert Alter, the King James Version, the Message, the Promise, and more. We understand the Bible to be a collection of holy stories inspired by the encounters of people and communities with God. The stories speak truth, but through prayer and ongoing study, we may hear new truths over time. This is why we profess that God is still speaking.
Sermon
Our day’s preacher (usually Pr. Eileen Gebbie, sometimes guests or congregants) takes about fifteen minutes to reflect on the day’s scripture. Sometimes it is a historical, contextual analysis, using theologies that range from Black Liberation to post-colonial to traditional reform. At other times the reading may be a jumping off point to considering how we live in and into a given contemporary issue. You will find that we do not heavily emphasize absolute answers, but heavily value questions that push us to grow. You may read all of Pr. Eileen’s sermons here and listen to many of them here.
Silence
Hymn of Reflection or Hymn of Preparation if it is a Sunday with Holy Communion
The practice of a public, shared meal was inspired by the meal that Jesus is said to have shared with his disciples before his death in Matthew 26:26–29, Mark 14:22–25, Luke 22:15–20, and John 6:51–58 (“The Last Supper”). Our Communion table is open to all: young and old, faithful and dubious. No one will be turned away. We serve the bread and the juice through “intinction,” which means dipping the bread into the juice. Your server will offer each to you with the phrases “the Bread of Life” and “the Cup of Blessing.” If you are unable to come forward but would like to participate in the meal, simply wait for your row to be empty, then raise your hand. A server will come to you. The bread is free of gluten, soy, and dairy. We invite those who are able to bring canned goods for the Food at First pantry and to set them at the Communion table before being served. We celebrate Communion on the third Sunday of each month.
Prayers of the Church
The day’s worshipers share prayer needs as so moved.
Prayer of Our Savior/The Lord’s Prayer
The basics of the Lord’s Prayer appear in Matthew 6:9–13 and Luke 11:2–4. It may be familiar to you in this form, or with “sins” or “trespasses” toward the end. We also support the use of traditional or contemporary language for addressing the holy and naming the holy’s realm.
Offering
Our financial gifts go to support the work and mission of our church. Coins and bills are sent to mission partners like Food at First and Youth Standing Strong. Checks, unless otherwise designated, go to the church proper to help keep our ministries (like worship, youth group, and Godly Play) vital. If you would like to sign up for electronic giving, please click here or contact Katie Bonney for details ([email protected], (515) 232-9323). During the offering, our Chancel Choir or other musical group offer their own talents to God.
Prayer of Dedication
Blessing our offerings of time, talent, and treasure. Our greatest gift is that of our presence.
Hymn of Sending
Benediction
From the Latin of “well” and “to speak,” this is one final good word to send us off. And off we go to the parlor for coffee, tea, treats, and community!