Welcome Desk: When you arrive, someone will greet you at the door and point you to the welcome desk with Forest Fisk (link to him on the church staff page), where you will get your name tag printed and be offered resources about the congregation and our programs.

Sanctuary: Just to the right of the welcome desk is the sanctuary doors.  We do not have a printed Order of Service because it is projected onto the wall.  Here’s a sample of the basic service —

Prelude: You will be greeted with music as you enter the Sanctuary before the service, usually from Daniel Doss on the piano.

Welcome: The weekly worship associate will greet everyone, especially new visitors

Greetings: We take 3 minutes to greet those near us.

Announcements: The Minister makes a few announcements about all church business

Ringing Bowl: To mark the shift between business/busyness and worship, we create spaciousness and inspire deep breathing through the ringing bowl.

Call to Worship: A short invocation that introduces the theme of the service

Opening Hymn: We rise in body or spirit and sing from either the hymnal or from the projector.

Chalice Lighting: We light the chalice, the symbol of Unitarian Universalism, and recite our doxology (add here)

Time for All Ages: All the children are called forward for a meaningful, fun moment from our minister and DLRE (Link to her).  They are afterwards sung out to their classes. 

Theme Reflection: The Worship Associate gives a short themed reflection on the month’s Soul Matters (link) theme that correlates with the theme of our small groups.

Musical Interlude: The SMUUCh adult choir or special guest musicians offer music.

Embracing Meditation: As an intro to Joys and Sorrows, we are invited to nudge the people sitting near us as a form of acknowledgement that we are gathered in peace. 

Joys and Sorrows: You are invited to come forward and briefly share in 2-3 sentences a rare joy or a profound sorrow and light a candle. Congregation sings in response.

Meditation and Spoken Words: A time of silence, words, peace, and centering.

Meditative Hymn: Every month we choose a song to sing together, seated.

Readings: Relevant readings shared by the Worship Associate

Sermon: Meaningful message shared by the minister

Offertory: Worship Associate shares the meaning of generosity, followed by music and giving.

Extinguish the Chalice: We recite the words of extinguishing the chalice (add words)

Closing Hymn: We rise in body or spirit and sing from either the hymnal or from the projector.

Benediction: Short closing words from the minister, received standing if willing and able

Postlude: Music will help guide us out as we leave the Sanctuary.

After the service: You are welcomed into the fellowship hall to sit at the new member table if you wish, or to simply mingle.  The first Sunday of every month is a “Celebration Sunday” meaning that we have a program in fellowship hall, and a cake!