Sample NAUCC Worship Service

New Ark United Church of Christ

An "Open and Affirming" and "JustPeace" Congregation

Worship at New Ark UCC

The New Ark United Church of Christ is a congregation that places great value on the participation of laity in the planning and execution of worship. The pastor is a leader in worship and manages the flow of the service, ensuring an atmosphere of worship. The planning and implementation of worship is a team effort in which the pastor and a team of lay worship planners craft the format and content of each service. This team studies the lectionary readings, discusses focus topics for the sermon, agrees on the format of the service, chooses hymns, selects or writes the call to worship and invocation, assists in selecting readers, and sets up the worship table. Worship at the New Ark is shaped by these characteristics:

We are theologically liberal as well as theologically diverse.
We are a "Just Peace" church.
We are an "Open and Affirming" church.
We are a non-creedal congregation.
We strive to have intergenerational services, including a children's sermon in our weekly worship service.
We strive to use inclusive language.
We use the New Century UCC hymnal and are open to hymns from other denominations.
We share personal celebrations and concerns as part of the service.
Our communion practice invites all present to share in the elements, members and non-members, children and adults. We traditionally serve communion on the first Sunday of each month. We serve by intincture; breaking off a piece of bread and dipping it into wine or grape juice.
We end our service with a fellowship circle, holding hands, singing a benediction song after the pastor gives the benediction.
We are a congregation that welcomes experiential, creative, and experimental formats in worship. As a congregation comprised of members from a variety of religious backgrounds, the group values diversity in worship services.

Service begins at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday. Below is a sample worship service.

WE GATHER

This is a time when the people of the congregation are coming together and preparing themselves for worship. Music is played and/or sung and the Pastor or Officiant welcomes everyone.

Prelude

Welcome

Introit (Music to help us prepare for worship.)

WE ARE CALLED TO WORSHIP

A responsive reading in which a leader reads a statement printed in the bulletin, and the congregation responds by reading their portion.

Hymn

WE INVOKE GOD'S PRESENCE

At this time the congregation recites a passage printed in the bulletin to invoke God's presence with us during worship time.

CHILDREN'S TIME

The children come forward to participate in a brief lesson with the pastor or that week's worship planner.

WE SHARE THE LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY

Church and community announcements are made by various congregation members at this time.

WE SHARE OUR CELEBRATIONS AND CONCERNS

Members of the congregation are invited to share whatever they are celebrating in their lives from the previous or coming week, as well as lift up their concerns.

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord's Prayer

Music Meditation

WE LISTEN FOR THE WORD OF GOD

The Written Word (a scripture reading is read aloud)

Hymn

The Word Interpreted (a pastoral sermon is given)

WE OFFER OUR GIFTS TO GOD

Offertory Anthem (a musical selection is performed)

Financial and Food Gifts (Financial offering is collected and anyone who has brought donations of food for our food bank may bring them to the front table.)

Doxology (sung by all):

Praise God, Creator of the earth; Praise God made flesh with Jesus' birth;
Praise God within each living soul; Praise God in whom we are made whole.

[Note: The above doxology was written by 2 former members of our church.]

Prayer of Dedication

WE CELEBRATE THE LORD'S SUPPER

[On the first Sunday of each month, we have Communion at this point in the service. Bread is broken and both wine and grape juice are offered as a choice, to honor our various communion traditions.]

WE GO FORTH

Hymn

Fellowship Circle (The congregation moves from their seats and forms a circle around the sanctuary, joining hands if able, and then sings a benediction song which is printed in the bulletin.)

Benediction

Benediction Song (we use different songs, but below is an example)

"Spirit of the Living God"

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Fellowship Time is held at the conclusion of the worship service (about 20-30 min.) in the larger reception area outside of the sanctuary. Coffee, tea, juice and occasionally refreshments are served.

Adult and Youth Sunday School are held at 11:00 a.m.

Copyright 2001 - 2007

	New Ark United Church of Christ An "Open and Affirming" and "JustPeace" Congregation
	Worship at New Ark UCC
	The New Ark United Church of Christ is a congregation that places great value on the participation of laity in the planning and execution of worship. The pastor is a leader in worship and manages the flow of the service, ensuring an atmosphere of worship. The planning and implementation of worship is a team effort in which the pastor and a team of lay worship planners craft the format and content of each service. This team studies the lectionary readings, discusses focus topics for the sermon, agrees on the format of the service, chooses hymns, selects or writes the call to worship and invocation, assists in selecting readers, and sets up the worship table. Worship at the New Ark is shaped by these characteristics: We are theologically liberal as well as theologically diverse. We are a "Just Peace" church. We are an "Open and Affirming" church. We are a non-creedal congregation. We strive to have intergenerational services, including a children's sermon in our weekly worship service. We strive to use inclusive language. We use the New Century UCC hymnal and are open to hymns from other denominations. We share personal celebrations and concerns as part of the service. Our communion practice invites all present to share in the elements, members and non-members, children and adults. We traditionally serve communion on the first Sunday of each month. We serve by intincture; breaking off a piece of bread and dipping it into wine or grape juice. We end our service with a fellowship circle, holding hands, singing a benediction song after the pastor gives the benediction. We are a congregation that welcomes experiential, creative, and experimental formats in worship. As a congregation comprised of members from a variety of religious backgrounds, the group values diversity in worship services. Service begins at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday. Below is a sample worship service. WE GATHER This is a time when the people of the congregation are coming together and preparing themselves for worship. Music is played and/or sung and the Pastor or Officiant welcomes everyone. Prelude Welcome Introit (Music to help us prepare for worship.) WE ARE CALLED TO WORSHIP A responsive reading in which a leader reads a statement printed in the bulletin, and the congregation responds by reading their portion. Hymn WE INVOKE GOD'S PRESENCE At this time the congregation recites a passage printed in the bulletin to invoke God's presence with us during worship time. CHILDREN'S TIME The children come forward to participate in a brief lesson with the pastor or that week's worship planner. WE SHARE THE LIFE OF OUR COMMUNITY Church and community announcements are made by various congregation members at this time. WE SHARE OUR CELEBRATIONS AND CONCERNS Members of the congregation are invited to share whatever they are celebrating in their lives from the previous or coming week, as well as lift up their concerns. Pastoral Prayer The Lord's Prayer Music Meditation WE LISTEN FOR THE WORD OF GOD The Written Word (a scripture reading is read aloud) Hymn The Word Interpreted (a pastoral sermon is given) WE OFFER OUR GIFTS TO GOD Offertory Anthem (a musical selection is performed) Financial and Food Gifts (Financial offering is collected and anyone who has brought donations of food for our food bank may bring them to the front table.) Doxology (sung by all): Praise God, Creator of the earth; Praise God made flesh with Jesus' birth; Praise God within each living soul; Praise God in whom we are made whole. [Note: The above doxology was written by 2 former members of our church.] Prayer of Dedication WE CELEBRATE THE LORD'S SUPPER [On the first Sunday of each month, we have Communion at this point in the service. Bread is broken and both wine and grape juice are offered as a choice, to honor our various communion traditions.] WE GO FORTH Hymn Fellowship Circle (The congregation moves from their seats and forms a circle around the sanctuary, joining hands if able, and then sings a benediction song which is printed in the bulletin.) Benediction Benediction Song (we use different songs, but below is an example) "Spirit of the Living God" Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Fellowship Time is held at the conclusion of the worship service (about 20-30 min.) in the larger reception area outside of the sanctuary. Coffee, tea, juice and occasionally refreshments are served. Adult and Youth Sunday School are held at 11:00 a.m.
Copyright 2001 - 2007