Most services have a similar order, though
each service varies in music style, sermon content, sharing time, special
components and theme. We like to use the gifts and talents of many different
people in our church community to join in the planning and leading of worship
services.This means we utilize a
variety of styles in worship.
Each service begins with an invitation to
gather together in worship.This is
usually followed by a time of singing and praising God.Next, we focus on hearing God’s Word to us,
through scripture readings, stories or dramas and a sermon.Our response to God’s Word includes singing,
congregational prayers, sometimes a response activity, and offering our gifts
of money.We end our time of worship
with a blessing and a sending.
Our musical styles are varied.You may hear folk, four-part á cappella
hymns, instrumental, jazz, chorale, gospel, contemporary, spirituals,
international and music from Taizé. Perhaps most familiar to the congregation
as a whole is the four-part hymn.We
sing from Hymnal: a Worship Book and Sing the Journey, both
published by the Mennonite Publishing Network.
Our time of teaching, or sermon, is usually
delivered by one of the four pastors.Sometimes other members of the congregation preach, or people from
outside the congregation.