SUNDAYS AT 10AM IN THE SANCTUARY
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Our gathering together invites us into the unfolding mystery of God. We tell and hear the stories of our faith, sing and pray in traditional and new ways, and consider how our own lives are part of the way God’s Spirit is alive and moving in the world. We believe that sacred Spirit moves within and among us always, and is made known in new ways when we dwell in community.
Rituals of worship
We practice baptism through the ancient act of immersion. This ritual is a chance for the one being baptized to make a profession of faith, to claim their identity as God’s beloved; it’s a chance for the congregation to celebrate with the one being baptized and to reaffirm their commitment to care for and journey with one another.
We share in the communion feast on the first Sunday of each month, a symbolic meal where we remember the last time Jesus gathered with his friends before he was killed, and promised that his presence would remain with them, no matter what. We open ourselves to the mystery of that living presence as we remember together. So that as many people as possible can participate, our elements are gluten-free bread and grape juice. Our liturgy reminds us that sharing in this one bread and one cup weaves our lives together with friends near and far – all of us one body, all sharing this one world.
Two prayer stations sit at opposite sides of the front of the sanctuary. On the piano side, you’ll find a rack of candles. At any time before or during the service, you are invited to light a candle as an expression of prayer, hope, mourning, or love. On the pulpit side, you’ll find a bowl of marbles and a vase with water in it. Whenever you like, you are invited to take some marbles and drop them in the vase, a physical expression of letting go of things you no longer can, or wish to, carry.
Worship at FBC is participatory
We welcome friends of all ages to participate through sharing stories; leading in prayer; offering gifts of instrumental and vocal music, dance, art, drama; helping with the tech team (sound, projector, video); ushering, and greeting. The Grace Space, near the front of the sanctuary, is open for children to enjoy during worship.
Liturgical Seasons
At FBC we move in rhythm with the seasons of the early Christians. Advent invites us to the hope, peace, joy, and love we are asked to incarnate in our lives; Christmas calls us to celebrate the ways God-With-Us comes anew each year; Epiphany has us revisit the stories of Jesus’ life and teachings; Lent asks us to look deeply within and around us; Easter is our promise that nothing is stronger than God’s love; Pentecost reminds us to look for the Spirit at work in our lives and our world; and All Saints Day allows us to celebrate those who have gone before us and made us who we are. Beautiful sanctuary banners – made by members of our congregation! – offer distinct colors and artwork to draw us deeper into the celebration of each season.
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