Order of Service

Here is our standard Order of Service. The order on some Sundays may differ a little; the differences will be slight.

You'll be advised when it is appropriate to stand if you are able. At no time will anyone suggest that you kneel.

For the first part of the service, the adults and the Religious Education Age children gather together in the meeting room ("sanctuary"). The children can sit either with the adults who accompany them, or at the front of the room.

• Music to Gather, usually by our pianist; sometimes recorded.
  
  

• Welcome and Announcements, by the designated "Worship Associate" for the service. Visitors and guests are offered an opportunity to stand and introduce themselves. This is an invitation, not a requirement.
  
  

• Lighting of the Chalice, by the speaker or Worship Associate. The flaming chalice is the best-known symbol of Unitarian Universalism. Lighting the chalice, while words are spoken, is part of every service.
  
  

• Opening Hymn. Most of the hymns we sing are from the Unitarian Universalist hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition.
  
  

• Children's Story. The children gather at the front of the room to listen to the story. At the end, the children and teachers leave the room to go to their classes.
  
  

• Singing the Children on Their Way. As the children leave, the congregation sings, "As We Leave This Friendly Place."
  

This concludes the multi-generational portion of the service. The service continues with "Greet Your Neighbor", the Prelude (to recenter the adult congregants), and the "meat" of the service.

• Greet Your Neighbor Each person meets the adjacent congregants, and also tries to meet some nearby people they haven't met.
  
  

• Prelude.
  
  

• Opening Words, by the speaker or Worship Associate.
  
  

• Covenant. Our covenant was written at a meeting of the congregation in the home of one our members in the early years of our existence. The covenant is used on most Sunday mornings. Attendees may opt out of saying it if they wish.
  
  

• Candles of Sharing and Celebration. We invite people to light a candle and share their Joys and Sorrows with the congregation.
  
  

• Silence. About a minute, for individual reflection, meditation, or silent prayer.
  
  

• Responsive Reading. From the hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition.
  
  

• Offering.
  
  

• Hymn.
  
  

• Sermon or Message.
  
  

• Doxology. Recognizing the Protestant roots of our Unitarian Universalist denomination, we sing our Doxology near the end of most services. The Doxology, sung to the traditional tune "Old Hundredth", uses the following words by Isaac Watts, from the Unitarian Universalist hymnal:
      From all that dwell below the skies
      Let songs of hope and faith arise;
      Let peace, goodwill on earth be sung
      Through every land, by every tongue.
  
  

• Closing Words, by the speaker or Worship Associate.
  
  

• Extinguishing the Chalice. Words by the speaker or Worship Associate.
  
  

• Postlude. Ours is a "stand, walk, and talk" postlude, not a "sit and listen" postlude.
  
  

• Refreshments and Conversation.