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We gather as followers of Jesus Christ. We gather to praise God, to give thanks for the world, and to be strengthened and guided in mission. The roots of our worship service are many and varied.

As stated in the United Church of Christ Book of Worship:

Christian Worship cannot be understood apart from the Jewish worship that first cradled and nurtured it. Like worship in Judaism, Christian worship is the glad response of total individuals--through "heart, soul, strength, and mind"--to the saving acts of God in history. It is the communal and personal celebration in the universal church of God's love for creation and for every human being. This divine love is revealed in God's gracious covenant with the people of Israel and in God's coming into the world in Jesus Christ. ...It both accounts the good news of God's love for all the world and invites all people to share God's saving embrace. This active response should not be possible without the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who endows the community of faith and individual Christians with the gifts that are necessary for God's service. ...The words and acts commonly called Worship cannot rightly be separated from Christians' faithful response to God in words and acts of love and justice for all people. That is the transparent meaning of Jesus' liberating command: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

The central gathering of our community is the worship service at 10:00 AM Sunday mornings. The service has four "movements," a time of gathering including a greeting, sharing of concerns and announcements, a choral introit, a call to worship and processional hymn and opening prayers; a time of listening for the word of God in scripture, music and sermon; a time of responding to God's word in song, prayer and offering; and a time of sending out into the world for the further work of the people including a final hymn and benediction.

Children are crucial to the life of our church. They are invited to worship with their parents until part way through the service when a "conversation with children" is held on the front steps of the chancel. Then the children are invited to proceed to the third floor classrooms for age-graded Christian Education classes.

Music plays a large part in our worship. Currently the Chancel Choir and small choral groups provide an anthem and service music accompanied by the organ or piano. A Cantata Choir presents a major work during Advent and Lent. Children's choirs provide special music for worship on a monthly basis during the school year.

Additional worship opportunities are offered, usually related to the liturgical calendar. A Christmas Eve service, a service on Ash Wednesday, on Maundy Thursday and a Silent Vigil on Good Friday are a regular part of the worship life of the congregation.

Communion, the service of word and sacrament, is celebrated at our church on the first Sunday of each month and at the Maundy Thursday Service. The Deacons offer the elements of the Eucharist primarily at the step of the chancel by intinction--dipping the bread into the cup before eating. Those who wish to be served in the pews are also served.

The sacrament of baptism is offered as the need arises. Call one of the ministers at (608) 233-9571 for more information.

Inclusive language is used in liturgy, prayer and sermon as a sign of the wholeness of the people of God. In the fall of 1995 the congregation began using The New Century Hymnal in its sanctuary services. This hymnal offers a much broader range of hymns than did its predecessor, The Pilgrim Hymnal. Most of the favorite hymns of the congregation are included as well as some which had been excluded from the earlier hymnal. The language of the hymnal is inclusive. Hymns from many national origins are included enhancing the selection from the European roots of the church.

Our church is open to all who seek to follow Jesus Christ and who come to find a place in our midst. If you have questions about our worship please call one of the ministers, (608)233-9751.