It
is a joy to be a community willing to experiment
with
many
forms of worship and to welcome liturgical art that enhances our life
of faith. Each season of
the year has a unity of design.
We hope to incorporate both new and ancient practices so that
our worship life reflects the uniqueness of this congregation and the
breadth of our global connections.
Advent / Christmas/ Epiphany
-
The Church Year Begins
at the end of November or first week of December, the darkest times of
the year. As we await Jesus coming, we prepare to celebrate
the gift of incarnation -- God dwelling with us--in Jesus of Nazareth.
Waiting and preparing gives way to our celebration of being a
"visited people" and our contemplation of God's dwelling in us today.
Epiphany brings us to sharing of that gift of good news with all
the world. Lighting the Advent Candles, Greening the Sanctuary,
Sharing the Story of this season though dramatic and visual arts and
song, and a Christmas Eve Candlelight communion service are cherished
traditions.
Baptism of Jesus & the Season of
our Calling to Discipleship
- Jesus'
baptism is an iconic act of God's solidarity with humanity. This
season we focus on the stories of scripture that highlight God's
calling to all people. Call and response forms a persistent
pattern in worship and in our life of discipleship. Each of us
is invited to seek God's calling for our work, relationships, and for
our building a community here and now.
Lent / Passion Week / Easter-
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent
as we share a simple meal in the evening, and share the ashes
that remind us of our mortality. The invitation to the observance of a
holy lent is about intentionality -- not a morbid or somber
season. The Parade of Palm & Passion Sunday, Jesus' meal with friends
on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday reflections, Easter Vigil and the
celebration of the Resurrection on Easter morning each shares a part
of the story of God's self-giving love that confronts power with
forgiveness and grace. The seven weeks of Easter lead us deeper into
the knowledge of the resurrection and prepare us to receive
God's Spirit. We celebrate as disciples the realization that,
"Goodness is stronger than evil, Love is stronger that hate, Light is
stronger than darkness, Life is stronger that death, "and the sure
knowledge that, "Victory is ours through God who in Christ loves us."
Pentecost and the Season of Growing
in Faith and Practice
-
With the winds of
Spirit blowing through locked doors to emboldened Christ's followers
and give birth to the Church, we too join God efforts as we witness
and grow in faith under the guidance of God's Holy Spirit. The
red & white of Pentecost remind us of the Spirit through symbols of
flames and dove. The Summer schedule at here is rich with a
variety of guest musicians as the Choir takes time off.
Our hospitality time finds us out on the front porch in the nice
weather surrounded in the glory of creation.
Summer on the Lawn -
We gather from time to time in the summer under the trees on the grounds
of the church and remember how stories of faith have been told for
thousands of years in settings such as this.
Our
grounds speak of the glory of God in the whispering of the wind in the
trees, in the feast for the eyes, in the rain gardens that remind us
that God proclaimed creation, “Good.”
World Communion Sunday
- The first Sunday of October is a celebration of the Lord's
Supper in which we lift up our unity with the Church worldwide.
It is our custom to receive an offering for peacemaking that day and
to designate a project in the life of the congregation dedicated
to celebrating our calling to be peacemakers.
Reign of Christ Sunday
-
Each year we close of our church
calendar with reflection on our stewardship and how we might live in light of God's providence and
sovereignty.
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