Our liturgy tries to balance tradition and change, order and freedom, reverence and friendship, symbolism and accessibility.
GATHERING in a circle signifies our unity in Jesus, who is the center of our lives. We see each other’s faces not as a distraction but as an opportunity to recognize the body of Christ.
INVOCATION admits that without the Holy Spirit we can neither understand nor obey. The lit candle, like the tongues of fire at Pentecost, reminds us of God’s presence.
SILENCE is often considered awkward or unnerving. But unless we calm the clamor of our mind, we will not hear the still small voice of God.
STORIES of wonder encourage us to see how God is at work among his people. Sharing both struggles and victories, we bear witness to his faithfulness.
SCRIPTURE was given a “public reading” (1 Tim 4) in the early Church, and so we continue to submit as one body to the spoken words of God.
ART in our culture often distracts or entices us. But Jesus invites us to contemplate what’s around us, such as lilies or sparrows (Matt 6), so as to develop an imagination for his kingdom.
LITANY enables us all to respond to God with one voice. To help connect us to Christians from other centuries and cultures, we use various time-tested prayers and creeds.
PROCLAMATION is our communal effort to describe God’s kingdom—“the new creation” (2 Cor 5) breaking into this world through Christ’s death and resurrection.
PRAYERS of submission, thanks, and petition are a fitting response to the good news.
PASSING THE PEACE prepares us for the Table. If there is unresolved conflict, Jesus says to “first go and be reconciled” (Mt 5). If all is well, we declare, “The peace of Christ be with you.”
THE TABLE is for all who confess that Jesus is Lord and therefore have communion with God and his people. It is our participation in the body and blood of Christ (1 Cor 10). Those who have not been baptized, or who feel they should abstain, are invited to come forward with arms crossed to receive a prayer of blessing.
SONGS flow out of our Table, as they did from the disciples after the Last Supper. Having heard, seen, and tasted God’s goodness, we renew our vows and rejoice with music.
BENEDICTION means “speak well” or bless. God blesses us so that we might be a blessing to the nations. As the Father sent the Son, so the Son sends us out for mission by the power of the Holy Spirit.