Sunday Worship

We gather every Sunday for worship at 10:45 A.M. You can join us in-person at 700 Poyntz or worship with us online. This is the best place to get to know us and become part of us. Our service is probably best described as "informal traditional." We follow a traditional order of worship and we enjoy the soaring sound of the organ. Laughter and tears are a part of almost every gathering. We sing and pray and contemplate God together. Hearty "Amens!" are always welcome and appreciated. It's a time to feed our souls and gather the strength we need to go back into the world and keep persisting in love. 

We seek to be intentionally inclusive in worship, especially in our use of language for God and for God’s people. We value the presence of all ages and types of people in worship. You may notice children and adults fidgeting or standing up to stretch worship. That's okay. We trust that we can all remember we're not all wired the same and some people need to move about. Babies and children are always welcome in worship - either in the pews or in the Pray Ground. We also provide developmentally-appropriate care in our nursery and children's ministries for those who prefer explore other options. | learn more about our children's ministries

As a church, we particularly value the proclamation of the Word—usually through a sermon, but also through art, music, and drama on occasion. On the first Sunday of each month, our worship includes the celebration of Holy Communion. In this simple ritual meal of bread and cup, we remember the last meal of Jesus with his disciples, and we “re-member” ourselves— reconnecting with the Body of Christ, the church. All are welcomed and encouraged to join the sharing of communion at Christ's Table, regardless of age or tradition, for it is this meal that binds us, different as we are, together.

Each Sunday when we gather, we say, "No matter who we are or where we are on life's journey, we are all welcome here." We would love to welcome you to our worship service. Come and see! 

Visiting?

When is the service? Where do I park?
Our worship is at 10:45 am every Sunday and typically lasts about an hour. For those joining us in-person, our parking lot is located next to the church at 700 Poyntz Ave. Street parking is also available. 

What should I wear?
Please wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable. There is no dress code at First Congregational and you will find members and guests in a range of attire, from “Sunday best” to casual wear.

What can I expect during the worship service?
Our worship services typically include elements of music, prayer, reflection, scripture reading, an offering, and a sermon. We take part in communion on the first Sunday of every month (open to all). On communion Sundays, we welcome contributions to the Second Helping ministry.

Worshiping with Children?
Children of all ages also are welcome to stay in the sanctuary with their caregivers during the church service. We offer a Pray Ground in the back of our sanctuary - a developmentally-appropriate space for children and their caregivers to worship with us. Nursery care is also available for infants and toddlers, if caregivers prefer. After the "Word for Children" early in the service, many of our older children enjoy going to Kids Worship or Sacred Space. These are parallel worship experiences that have been created to fit the developmental needs of preschool and elementary-aged kids. Our childcare staff are background checked and and First Aid/CPR certified. 

Is Sunday School offered?
Yes! Sunday School for preschool, elementary, youth, and adults is held at 9:30 am each Sunday when public schools are in session.

Special Needs?
We seek to welcome all people. If you have a special need or are wondering about accessibility, please feel free to contact us before your first visit so we can make sure to accommodate your needs.