Worship Services

We Invite You to Worship with Us!

First Christian Church offers a variety of worship experiences. Certain things are always true. Everyone is welcome. It doesn't matter what you wear. God will be present.

We currently offer worship services on Sunday and Thursday. On this page, you can also find information on how and why to join our community of faith. For directions to the church, please see the Home page.

Sunday Worship ~ 11:00 am

This is our primary worship service. It blends new and familiar songs, accompanied by organ and sometimes piano. We join in prayer, singing, and listening to scripture. The sermons aim to be thought-provoking, nourishing, Bible-based, and not too long! The highlight of the service each week is when we share in the Lord's Supper, where everyone is welcome.

You can wear whatever you want, though most people will be in a range between "dress casual" and "dressy". Children are always welcome and are invited forward for a special conversation with the pastor or a lay leader. We have a staffed nursery and Children's Church, but parents are also welcome to keep their kids with them throughout the service. Both our sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall are wheel-chair accessible. Large print bulletins and hymnals are available.

This service is followed by Fellowship Time, hosted by one or more church members in the Friendship Room at the back of the sanctuary. This is a chance to share refreshments and spend time together, getting to know one another more deeply. We hope you will stay for this important part of our life together!

Thank God On Fridays (TGOF!) ~ 5:30 pm (on break for the summer)

(Our informal, interactive service is on break for the summer. It will return in a special appearance on the third Sunday of September. At that time, we will be deciding which weekend night to hold this monthly service. In the meantime, we hope you'll join us on Sunday morning!)

This worship service is held on the second (usually) Friday of each month. The service is designed to provide an informal, interactive worship experience as a transition into the weekend. As we gather at 5:30 you are invited to share in fellowship with others (with snacks to tide you over) or to sit quietly and listen to our music director playing piano. At 5:45, we begin with upbeat singing, followed by a spirited discussion of selected Bible texts led by Pastor Rebecca. After a time of prayer, we then share in communion by coming forward to receive the bread and juice by intinction.

You can wear whatever you like. Most people will come straight from work, whatever that means for them. Children are welcome to be present throughout the service. Child care is available in the nursery.

If you are interested in helping with this service, please contact Pastor Rebecca. We are always looking for worship leaders. The Singing Prayer spiritual growth group will be assisting with music for this service. They meet most Wednesdays at 6:00 at the church. Call the office at 236-1316 or check the calendar here to find out when the next practice will be held.

"Pause for Prayer" ~ Thursdays at 5:00 pm

"Pause for Prayer" is a contemplative prayer service designed to offer a quiet prayer break in the midst of a busy week. The worship style is inspired by the Taize community in France. Normally on Wednesday nights, "Pause for Prayer" will be held on Thursdays this summer in the Franklin Carter Friendship Room (in the back of the sanctuary). The service begins and ends with 15 minutes of meditational music. Between 5:15 and 5:45, the more communal part of the service includes musical meditations, silence, scripture, and a guided intercessory prayer. You are invited to come as you are and to attend for whatever portion of the hour your schedule will allow.
If you have a prayer concern you would like to have held up during this service, please call the church before 4:30 the day of the service at 236-1316. "Pause for Prayer" usually does not meet when the pastor is out of town.

How to Join Us

At First Christian Church, as at all congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the only requirement for membership is a confession of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of the Living God and acceptance of him as Lord and Savior. Those who desire to join our faith community are invited to come forward during the Hymn (or Song) of Response to make or re-affirm this declaration in front of God and the gathered community. This can serve as a transfer of membership from another church, or as the public confession that precedes baptism, which would normally be held on a subsequent Sunday. At First Christian, we baptize by full immersion, but we accept all baptized Christians, regardless of method.

We strongly encourage anyone considering membership to discuss it with the pastor in order to clarify any questions and schedule a baptism if necessary. With the proper planning and preparation, the confession of faith can be an important and meaningful step in your Christian journey.

The Benefits of Membership

Being a member of a congregation means a lot of things. Because we believe the Christian journey is best traveled together, we encourage our members to attend worship regularly, to be involved with some activity that fosters personal spiritual growth, to support and participate in the ministry of the congregation, and to serve God's people in need in an active way. We also hope that all of our members are excited enough about the Good News of Jesus Christ that they will be sharing it with others who have not yet heard.

Officially, being a member allows you the right to vote in a congregational meeting. (We have at least one a year.) It also makes you eligible to serve in servant-leadership capacities within the life of the congregation. For students and others with strong ties to a "home" congregation, we offer "associate membership," which entitles you to the same rights and responsibilities as full members, but allows you to keep your membership in another church where you may be participating in spirit but not in person.