information
sunday's here, now what
What can I expect?
Most people have certain expectations when they enter a "church service". We are an emerging (developing) congregation. For those of you who want and can come, please consider giving the gate two or three visits, to get used to the format, and then decide whether it's for you or not.
On your way in
Please feel free to grab a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever we have on hand. Visit, find a quiet place, relax, interact, it’s a time to get comfortable.
Overview
We have times that are personal, interactive, reflective, or involve moving to another space. The amount of involvement is your choice.
For all of us
You might hear a baby cry, or a child needing boundaries. We take a family get-together approach, where disruptions are neither catastrophic nor unwanted. There is a space where parents and children may retreat to if a difficulty is extensive or privacy is needed. Otherwise, every age is wanted and encouraged to join in with the rest of the family. God hears our cries and is not offended; we want to show the same love
Is there an order of worship?
Every gathering has some sort of order to it. Always subject to change, the following is our current sequence.
Settle in time
A chance to relax, visit or drink a cup
Songs and singing
Sing along; consider what’s playing, or find a personal space for worship
Contemplations, Psalm, Prayer, Personal Communion
A subdued time for personal reflection and contemplation, going to the prayer station, and/or taking communion, closing by focusing on prayer needs
This is a deliberate call for you to come to a place of quiet and personal focus on God. The reading of a Psalm or story helps us connect to Christ. Although we celebrate the Lord’s Supper later, a personal communion station is available, with bread and wine. Please feel free to go to the communion station, prayer station or view the contemplation symbols. We do not receive an offering; however, a container for gifts is located with the contemplation items. A prayer station is also available to help focus your prayers to God. There are candles to light which visually express a prayer need. A white board is also available if you wish to make that need known to others -- and we will pray together for the needs listed at the end of the contemplation time.
Songs and singing
Meal Sharing
Food is set out and shared. Our blessing speaks to the wonders of Jesus in our lives and the "Lord’s Supper". While we share our food, we focus in on the Dialogue time.
Having a meal together is part of our Dialogue time. Taken from the history of the early church, the "Lord’s Supper" is a time of sharing what the Lord has provided for us (this is also called the "love-feast"). The sharing of food and the blessings He has shown us is an expression of the common bond we have in Jesus. Everyone who comes is welcome to some food while we hear and discuss our growing relation with God and others, whether you bring something or not.
Introduction to discussion
A call to focus on the discussion area,
Discourse
A topic is presented and overview given
Our dialogue time’ is taken in part from the old synagogue style of instruction.
[Following a time of worship and scripture reading, a minister would sit down and address the people in a discourse, either about the scripture reading or on a topic of instruction. After the discourse, time is given over to questions -- translation, objections, with responses and inquires.]
The scriptures also indicate that as we follow Jesus, the Spirit can give us wisdom and insight*. As an act of faith, we encourage all to participate in the Dialogue/Discussion time believing that this will encourage and add more perspective to our lives, of Jesus, and the ways of God.
We invite you to contribute the insights you have in the Dialogue/Discussion time, believing that we all have a gift to see Jesus and the ways of God and sharing brings us greater understanding.
* John 14:26, 16:13; 1 John 2:27: Luke 12:12
Discussion and Dialogue
Time for thoughts, questions and insights
Closing thoughts and benediction
Open time for Fellowship
Stay and visit as you wish