Frequently Asked Questions About Worship
WHAT DO YOU DO IN WORSHIP?
Gathering/Praise Music During the first 5-10 minutes of the services the Praise music leader will lead the congregation in singing contemporary/praise music. The words will be in the bulletin and/or on the screen. One of these songs will be, “Your Love is Deep.” The children will be called to the front of the sanctuary to lead the congregations in the motions that go with the song. (See our videos for a video of this.) The last song sung is “This is the Day.” Passing the Peace After “This is the Day” is sung twice the pastor will invite the congregation to pass the peace with one another. During this time we will go around the sanctuary and greet one another with “Peace!” and a smile, a handshake or a hug. Greetings The pastor will greet the congregation and make announcements as needed. Bringing the Light of Christ The acolytes will bring candles into the sanctuary which represent the “light of Christ.” Call to Worship The pastor will lead a responsive reading with the congregation responding. Bold type in worship bulletin will alert you to the responsive parts of the reading that the congregation reads aloud. The words will be in the bulletin and/or on the screen. Opening Music/Hymn A hymn will be sung. The worship bulletin will give you the hymn number and hymnal to find it. We have two hymnals: The Faith We Sing (TFWS) and the United Methodist Hymnal (UMH). TFWS is a smaller, paperback hymnal with a black cover. The UMH is a red or navy blue hard cover book. The words will be in the bulletin and/or on the screen. Opening Prayer The pastor or lay speaker will lead a prayer that everyone recites. The words will be in the bulletin and/or on the screen. Prayer of Confession The pastor or lay speaker will lead a prayer that everyone recites. The words will be in the bulletin and/or on the screen. The Lord’s Prayer At Good Shepherd, we celebrate our diversity by asking those who know the Lord’s Prayer to come to a microphone and recite it. We usually have the Lord’s Prayer read in English, Tagalog, Portuguese, Tamil. We welcome people of any languages to recite in the language you are comfortable in. The words in English will be in the bulletin and/or on the screen. Words of Assurance in Music We sing the words of assurance. The words will be in the bulletin and/or on the screen. Scripture Readings Designated readers (lay readers) will read the scripture. This may include an Old Testament reading, a New Testament reading and a Gospel reading. We stand when the gospel is read. At the end the speaker will say, “This is the word of God for the people of God” and the congregation responds “Thanks be to God.” Musical Response We sing a response to the Gospel Reading.The words will be in the bulletin and/or on the screen. Sermon/Reflection The pastor or a lay speaker will give a reflection that is usually 15-20 minutes long. Celebrations & Concerns The pastor or a lay speaker will call upon the congregation to talk about their celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and etc.) as they wish to share with the congregation. The pastor or a lay speaker will also ask for the people to mention those people or situations that they want others to pray about. Offertory The pastor will call the ushers to take the offering. The ushers will go around the sanctuary and pass the offering plate. We ask that you give as you feel like giving. Offertory Prayer The pastor will lead the congregation in a prayer. The words will be in the bulletin and/or on the screen. Great Thanksgiving (Communion) Every first and third Sunday of the month we have communion. Holy Communion is open to anyone; no matter who you are, you are welcome. Christ invites you to his table; his table of love and mercy. Closing Music A hymn will be sung. The worship bulletin will give you the hymn number and hymnal to find it. We have two hymnals: The Faith We Sing (TFWS) and the United Methodist Hymnal (UMH). TFWS is a smaller, paperback hymnal with a black cover. The UMH is a red or navy blue hard cover book. The words will be in the bulletin and/or on the screen. Blessing The pastor will lead the congregation in a blessing. The words will be in the bulletin and/or on the screen. Musical Response Everyone will make a circle, standing at the outside of the sanctuary, and hold hands while we sing "Draw the Circle." The words will be in the bulletin and/or on the screen. Bringing the Light of Christ in the World The acolytes will bring candles, representing the “light of Christ,” out of the sanctuary which |
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Where is the church? The church is located at 577 Salem Street on the corner of Salem Street and Webster Street. Where is the main entrance? The main entrance is on Webster Street. Is the church handicap accessible? Yes. The church and the sanctuary are handicap accessible. The restrooms are not handicap accessible. Where can I park? We don’t have a parking lot, so park on the street on Salem or Webster. What time is the service? Sunday worship begins at 10:30am. How early should I arrive? The pastor and others will be at the church about an hour before the service. The choir usually practices a half hour before the service. Most will come 10-15 minutes before the service starts. Where does a visitor sit? Visitors are welcome to sit wherever you feel comfortable. There is no designated seating. Will I be singled out as a visitor? The pastor occasionally asks visitors to stand and introduce themselves at some point during the service. This is optional; you don’t have to stand if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. Can I have communion as a visitor? In the United Methodist Church, ALL are welcome at the Lord’s Table, regardless of denominational affiliation, church membership, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, gender or belief. All are welcome to experience the gift of grace offered to us through Jesus the Christ. Where do my kids go? Children of all ages are welcome in our service. We have a section in the back of the sanctuary with wider pews for toddlers and babies in carriages. But you are welcome to sit anywhere you feel comfortable. During the school year we have Sunday School twice a month. At some point in the service, the children will leave the service to go to Sunday School. All children are welcome to come to Sunday School as they feel comfortable. What should I wear? We have no dress code. We want you to feel comfortable. Some people wear their “Sunday best,” some wear jeans, and most fall somewhere in the middle. Come as you are. How long is the service? The service is usually about an hour to an hour and a half long. Do I have to join your church? No, you do not have to join the church. You are always welcome to worship with us and participate in any of our activities. Membership is a choice and commitment which we want you to make only when the time is right for you. When do I stand? A smiley face in the worship bulletin will alert you. If you are not sure what to do, just follow everyone else or, if you prefer, you can just remain seated throughout the service. What happens after the service? After the service we have our "coffee hour" where everyone is invited for fellowship and refreshments. Come join us! |
WEEKLY
WORSHIP TIME Sunday: 10:30am SPECIAL SERVICES Good Friday: 7:00pm x Christmas Eve: 11:00pm |