Special Services

Special Services - Life Celebrations - Sacraments

At our church, we believe in celebrating life's spiritual journey through meaningful services and sacraments.

Sacraments: Baptism & Communion

Baptism

We baptize infants and believers called to this sacrament, honoring baptisms from most Christian traditions as they signify rebirth into God's body of believers.

Baptism marks entry into the broader Christian Church and our local congregation. Emphasizing communal faith, we baptize members, their children, and sometimes their grandchildren, with the understanding that children will be raised within our church community. We do not perform baptisms for individuals not actively connected to our church or for other congregations. All baptisms are public, underscoring our shared covenant, and our entire congregation pledges support to baptized individuals and their families.

Communion

The Lord's Supper

Communion is open to all baptized individuals, regardless of age or tradition. We encourage children to participate with their families; confirmation is not required. Also known as "the Eucharist" (thanksgiving), Communion is a profound expression of gratitude, where we share God's Spirit through bread and wine (or grape juice). Protestants believe this communion is made real through the Holy Spirit within the believer, transforming their heart, mind, and soul. Our Communion celebration is a joyful feast, recalling Jesus' shared meals and celebrating his resurrection. It is not a re-sacrificing of Jesus. This service, led by deacons, elders, and the minister, emphasizes our shared blessings and burdens within the community, uniting us as part of Christ's "mystical body."

Other Important Services

Weddings

Members and Non-Members: We joyfully celebrate weddings for members and

non-members in our sanctuary, on our grounds, or at other suitable locations.

Ceremonies typically include music, readings, a meditation, and the couple's

vows made "before God and these witnesses." While we encourage sanctuary weddings due to our sacred space and facilities, our minister can officiate in other reverent settings. All guests are invited to pray for and support the couple.

Custom Ceremony: Every wedding is unique, with the couple collaborating closely with the minister on all elements. We provide a booklet of suggested texts, music, and service orders to assist in planning. For non-members, set costs apply for the service, music, and optional on-site reception. Members often benefit from familiarity and reduced costs, frequently donating in gratitude.

Same-Sex Marriage: Since 2012, our denomination has authorized same-sex marriage, extending full church support to monogamous same-sex couples. We welcome faithful individuals of all orientations as members. Guided by the scriptural principle "God is love," we embrace an inclusive approach, believing all humans are created for love and that marriage sustains it.

Funerals and Memorial Services

For us, an end-of-life ceremony marks the completion of one's baptism, a "planting to eternal life." These services, whether a funeral with the body present or a memorial service with ashes, offer comfort, a space for remembrance and shared grief, and affirm God's community. We honor both God and the departed in marking their passing.

Celebration of Life Advance Planning: We encourage discussing service elements in advance, approaching death without fear. A funeral or memorial service is a celebration of life and a joyful affirmation of eternal resurrection. We believe God's love, experienced in life, takes a new form at death, and that death is not final. Resources for end-of-life decisions are available through our faith, including the free download, Abiding Presence: Living Faithfully in End-of-Life Decisions (2016).

The Committal: The service often concludes with The Committal, a brief ceremony at the grave, columbarium, memorial garden, or mausoleum, which can also serve as the primary service. Our church's cemetery provides a dedicated space for remembering loved ones across generations.