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| The Water of belonging... | ||
| ...the Living Word... | ||
| ...the Bread of Life... | ||
| ...Jesus, the Light of the World! | ||
 Welcome home, Children of God! |
||
We gather at the church on Sunday morning. Meeting and being met at the door and in the foyer, we find seats in the sanctuary. We talk quietly and read through the bulletin and prepare our minds and hearts for worship.
Shortly before 10:30 am, the choir files in take their seats. The worship assistant then extends a welcome in the "name of the one triune God whom we worship" and we share this time for announcements in the life of the church. When the announcements are finished the procession of the elements begins: the water, the book, the bread, and the candle. The pastor or worship assistant stands and announces "Welcome home, Children of God."
With this, the organists plays the prelude and we clear our minds and prepare ourselves for worship. The worship assistant then takes the podium and calls us to worship. The congregation joins joyfully with the choir in the song of praise. We follow with the prayer of confession and the assurance of forgiveness. The congregation sings or reads the liturgy in response.
Our first scripture reading is usually from the Old Testament. The choir then rises to sing the anthem. The second scripture reading comes from the New Testament and is the core of the sermon. Before the sermon though, the pastor calls the children up for the children's sermon. Afterwards the little ones (up through age six) are then able to leave for the nursery. The rest are encouraged to stay and work on their Peace Papers, a children's bulletin and study guide with a page for home follow-up and further reading (at the door of he sanctuary there can be found a basket with crayons and pads of paper as well). The sermon begins and the pastor interprets the scripture and brings the Word to life and contemporary meaning.
After the sermon, the congregation rises for the hymn of faith. At this point, the pastor steps down to the aisle and leads the congregation in the prayers of the people. The worship assistant then rises and calls for the offering which is followed by the hymn of thanksgiving.
Finally, the pastor issues the charge and blessing and the congregation joins hands for the sung response.
The children of God file out and meet in the social hall for coffee, juice and fellowship. Visitors are especially encouraged to stay, to be welcomed, and become friends.
