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WELCOME
WELCOME
FIRST VISIT - WHAT TO EXPECT
Parking and Getting Situated
Our doors welcome you from the cross section of Routes 140 and 12. The Sanctuary is in the front of the Church. Handicap parking is located in back of the church where you will find a door that opens to the entry way leading to a handicap accessible elevator that will bring you to the second floor and gives you access to the sanctuary.
Everyone begins Sunday morning together in our Sanctuary at 10:00am.
Parking is around the church as well as Central Street when the lot is full.
Worship in our Church Sanctuary
Once inside, you will be warmly greeted and handed a bulletin outlining the service of worship. Our worship is traditional and upbeat. We sing hymns out of hymnals and are accompanied by a very talented Organist and led by a cantor. Our service begins with an organ prelude played by our Minister of Music. During this time, please feel free to read through our bulletin, introduce yourself to a neighbor, or just soak in the sounds and sights of our sanctuary, while making room for the Holy Spirit in your heart. Worship lasts approximately one hour. Find out about nursery school and child care HERE.
As far as what to wear, some people come dressed in their Sunday best. Others dress more casually. Either way, we believe that God cares more about the state of our hearts than the state of our attire. We encourage you to dress the way that feels most appropriate to you.
Fellowship Hour Following Worship
At the conclusion of worship and Church School, everyone is invited to gather together in our Parish Hall, downstairs, under our sanctuary, for refreshments and fellowship. We invite you to stay for a snack or beverage, strike up a conversation, and make some new friends!
STAFF
Lisa Fisher
Administrative Assistant
Jodi Mellberg
CNS Early Learning Center
Director
MISSION
Our Mission Statement
God is Love: The result of our 2015 Long Range Visioning Process, which involved the entire congregation, is the following mission statement:
WORSHIP GOD, FOLLOW JESUS, SERVE OTHERS, LOVE ALL.
Our congregation is strongly committed to service and love in the name of Christ. We take as our inspiration Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:
I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. … Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.
Because of this Gospel call, we participate in programs and projects that explicitly address hunger, homelessness, material scarcity, medical care, and rehabilitation, both locally and globally. Our congregation is committed to creating a world in which all God’s children can share in the abundance of creation, and live in justice and peace. Our service is to the Glory of God, that those whom we serve would come to know that the Good News of Christ is Good News to All.
An Inclusive Welcome
Children and Young People's Trust: Whoever you are, wherever you come from, you are welcome into the full life of First Church! Our worship, our church family, was not complete until you arrived!
We invite and welcome into the full life and ministry of this church all people of every race, age, background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, economic class, and physical or mental ability.
To all who come through our doors, we offer the Sacraments and Rites of the Church, and extend all responsibilities and privileges.
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
United Church of Christ Statement of Faith—original version
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to his deeds we testify:
He calls the worlds into being, creates man in his own image and sets before him the ways of life and death.
He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
He judges men and nations by his righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord,he has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to himself.
He bestows upon us his Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
He calls us into his church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be his servants in the service of men, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
He promises to all who trust him forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, his presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in his kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him.
Amen.