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Worship

We welcome all persons into the life of the church regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or mental or physical ability.

Sunday Worship Services

9:00 am
The early worship service at First Christian Church features piano accompanied singing and weekly performances of the Joyful Noise Choir. All believers are invited to share in communion around a common table and to join in the closing circle.

11:00 am
Late worship follows a more traditional approach to worship, with organ music, and a full Sanctuary Choir. All believers are invited to participate in communion, as the juice and bread is passed.

Worship Activities for Children

Children age three to ten are invited to join the Extended Session, following the Children’s Moment in each service. Activities pertain to the morning’s scripture and worship theme. Older children are encouraged to remain with the congregation for worship.

Child Care
Nursery service is provided for children under age three during worship services and church school.

Special Worship Services

Taizé Worship Service
A Taizé worship is held the third Sunday of each month at 7:00 pm. This meditative service includes music, readings, and times of silence. Songs are short and are repeated like a prayer.

Contemporary Worship Service
A Contemporary worship is held every Saturday at 6:00 pm.  This service is accompanied by a video presentation and communion is offered.

Musical Worship
Special musical worship services are offered throughout the year during the evening. Music is led by church members and friends as solos or ensembles.

Animal Blessing
Each year in October, First Christian holds a Blessing of the Animals Service. All creatures – great and small – are invited to attend to receive a blessing. It is a great time with dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, snakes and birds all present.

Combined Services
A few times a year we offer a “combined” worship service. It is when we “combine” the 9:00 am and the 11:00 am service into one 10:00 am worship service. These special services only happen once in awhile and should not be missed!

Advent & Christmas

Among the regular Sunday worship services throughout the four weeks of Advent, First Christian also offers additional opportunities for worship.

Hanging of the Greens
On the first Sunday of Advent, we feature the annual Hanging of the Greens, where church school classes and small groups help decorate the sanctuary, during the singing of traditional carols.

Home for Christmas Program
This is a casual, fun-filled program of story and song followed by a potluck of finger foods and sweets. There is a visit from Santa and everyone is asked to give a gift to Santa for distribution to those less fortunate.

The Longest Night Grief Service
Many of us find that the joy and celebration, which others experience at Christmas, serve only to heighten our own personal sadness or loneliness. As we move from the last day of autumn to the first day of winter, we experience the longest night of the year. Yet it is in our darkness and loneliness that we encounter the Christ child.

Christmas Eve Services, December 24
The 6:00 pm Silent Night Service offers music by the Joyful Noise Choir and features candlelight communion. The 11:00 pm Joy to the World Service is more traditional, with music by the Sanctuary Choir. The worship concludes at midnight with singing on the church steps.

Lenten Season

Ash Wednesday
In recognition of Ash Wednesday, our congregation will worship God with music, scripture, candlelight and prayer. This is our opportunity to experience the fullness of God’s mercy and forgiveness. It is our opportunity to reflect quietly upon where we are in relation to God, and upon where God wants us to be. In Taizé fashion, we will be given the opportunity to approach the table to burn our sins and to ask God’s mercy. Participants will receive the “touch of ashes” upon departing the sanctuary. Childcare is provided.

Maundy Thursday
Occurring the Thursday of Holy Week, this contemporary Tenebrae service begins in the full light of the Palm Sunday processional, yet ends in the complete darkness of Christ’s crucifixion. Come and walk the tear-washed road to the cross. Travel the winding road to Calvary. Linger in the upper room. Keep watch among the olive trees in Gethsemane. Kneel at the cross. Come and fully understand the depths of God’s mercy. Childcare is provided.

Good Friday
First Christian participates in the community-wide Good Friday Service, offered by the Association of Downtown Churches. This solemn service is a time of remembrance of the Friday Jesus was crucified.

Easter
Come celebrate Easter at both the 9:00 am and the 11:00 am services. At the 10:00 am there is a potluck breakfast, at that time we also have a group picture taken of all the children in the church, followed by an Easter Egg Hunt.

Summer

Summer Forums
During the summer First Christian offers a special weekly lecture. The forums are located in the Sanctuary from 10:00 am-10:50 am.

Communion

As Disciples of Christ, First Christian Church offers weekly communion at both worship services. All believers in Jesus Christ are encouraged to participate in the celebration of communion.