What should you expect when you come for the first time or return after an extended absence?
We offer a community where you can belong, be valued and loved, deepen your spirituality, and discover a purpose that can change lives and communities. Community of Christ is the welcoming, loving faith community that values the worth of every person as a child of God. We provide a safe space for you to explore and deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ and each other. Come discover renewed purpose for your life through compassionate, Christ-like service that ends suffering and fosters justice and peace.
What should I wear?
You will find people wearing many different things during our services. Some members of the congregation are more casual, wearing jeans and tennis shoes, while others feel more comfortable dressed up in their Sunday best. People who are leading the service are typically dressed in either casual or formal business attire. The bottom line is that we are honored to have you and welcome you in whatever style you are most comfortable.
Where do I go once I get there?
Once you arrive at the building, you will find adequate parking in the rear. Enter the building from the parking lot using the double doors on the rear of the building. Once inside, feel free to hang up your coat or jacket and head down the hallway to the left of the entry; there you will be greeted by one of our Deacons who will introduce themselves and welcome you to our church home.
What if I have children?
We encourage you to bring your children and let them enjoy the service with us. Many Sunday's include special focus moments just for kids and we welcome the extra excitement they bring. (We do have a nursery area for babies and toddlers in the event you feel like your child needs it.)
I have something on my mind that I would like to talk to someone about. What should I do?
Just ask the Deacon to identify the pastor so that you can speak with them confidentially.
What is a typical service like?
Our service will consist of :
- A bulletin that contains the order of worship so you can see the sequence of events within the service. Additionally there are '*' indicators that signify when the congregation will stand.
- Several songs sung by the congregation from our hymnal.
- A Sermon, sometimes referred to as the 'Morning Message'.
- An offering collection, sometimes referred to as the 'Disciple's Generous Response'
- Prayers of Invocation (opening the service), offertory, and benediction (closing of the service), and possibly others.
What about the Sacrament of Communion, or the Lord's Supper?
All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.
Communion is our opportunity to participate in the sacrament of communion and to remember Jesus Christ as our savior. The communion is open to all those who wish to proclaim Jesus Christ.
Typically, we celebrate the Sacrament of Communion on the first Sunday of each month.
The mechanics of our Communion Sacrament are as follows:
The presider will invite the congregation to kneel while a member of the priesthood offers a prayer of blessing on the communion. The communion bread is served first, followed by the communion wine (simple grape juice). Both the bread and the wine are served by members of the priesthood to each person in the congregation who wishes to partake. If a combined prayer is offered for the bread and wine together, we will kneel only once and be served the bread and then the wine (grape juice) immediately following. If individual prayers are offered, the presider will invite the congregation to kneel twice, once for the prayer on the bread, and again for the prayer on the wine, which will take place immediately after the serving of the bread.
