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.
Our weekly service of worship begins at 10:00 a.m. and generally follows the pattern below. 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.
Greetings
A word of welcome from the day’s preacher that sets the tone or theme of the day.
Call to Worship
A formal, and mutual, spoken invitation to move into the worship experience.
Opening Hymn
Singing is one way to connect to God through our bodies. We stand up, breathe deep, and let loose. And as Augustine wrote, “(S)he who sings, prays twice.”
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 are encouraged to remain in worship. 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 for families that choose it.
Scripture
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 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.
Hymn of Reflection or Hymn of Preparation if it is a Sunday with Holy Communion
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 our Church Office Administrator for details (office@amesucc.org, (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!
Our weekly service of worship begins at 10:00 a.m. and generally follows the pattern below. 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.
Greetings
A word of welcome from the day’s preacher that sets the tone or theme of the day.
Call to Worship
A formal, and mutual, spoken invitation to move into the worship experience.
Opening Hymn
Singing is one way to connect to God through our bodies. We stand up, breathe deep, and let loose. And as Augustine wrote, “(S)he who sings, prays twice.”
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 are encouraged to remain in worship. 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 for families that choose it.
Scripture
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 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.
Hymn of Reflection or Hymn of Preparation if it is a Sunday with Holy Communion
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 our Church Office Administrator for details (office@amesucc.org, (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!