Join us for worship at
10:30 a.m. September-June
10:00 a.m. Summer
Livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheHenriettaUCC
People describe our worship services as “engaging,” “uplifting,” “challenging,” “warm,” “creative,” and “inspiring.” We try to avoid language that has lost its meaning in today’s world, while finding fresh ways to encounter and open to the Spirit of the Living God with our whole beings.
Activities bags for the children, rocking chairs in the back of the sanctuary, full wheelchair accessibility, a coil induction hearing loop, a welcome center, friendly greeters, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere help everyone feel at home and a part of God’s family. Worship generally is about 75 minutes, but has no set time and varies from service to service
Care for children under 3 is provided by responsible adults in a staffed nursery room just behind the Sanctuary.
Church School for ages 2-18 is held after the worship services’ Children’s Time, about 20 minutes into the worship hour. On the first Sunday of the month, the youth stay in worship to receive communion with the congregation.
Children’s activity bags are available on the blue “tree” in the back of the sanctuary. Please return the bag after worship.
Holy Communion is celebrated during regular Worship Services on the first Sunday of each month. Grape juice and gluten-free bread are served to everyone. Note that during our current livestream-only worship, holy communion is weekly, and you are invited to prepare your own bread and cup at home.
Here is the general flow of a typical worship service at Henrietta UCC:
WE OPEN OUR HEARTS TO GOD’S RENEWING PRESENCE
In this opening portion of worship, we welcome all who have come with a gathering song, followed by time for quiet meditation while the organist plays a prelude. A call to worship and hymn of praise help lift our spirits and open our hearts to the One who gave us life and calls us to the fullness of life. A gathering prayer gives voice to our soul’s need for God, and brings before God the gratitude and concerns that are on our hearts. Our choir sings a musical number that touches and lifts our spirits through song.
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD TO US
The pastor or a church member calls the children forward for an often-playful talk that speaks of God’s love and truths to them and to the child in us all. We then pass the peace and love of Christ to each other as we send the children and youth to church school. A passage from the Bible is read, and then God’s living Word is explained to us through a sermon, drama or story. A prayer and a hymn help God’s truths find a home in our lives.
WE DEDICATE OURSELVES TO GOD’S SERVICE
We offer our monetary gifts to God as a way of rededicating our whole selves to the ongoing work of God in our church, our community and our world. The true meaning of the offering portion of the service is illustrated by the poor widow at a worship service in Africa who had no money to put in the offering plate. When the offering plate came to her, she put it down on the floor, stepped into it, prayed for a moment, stepped back out, and passed it on. May we all become this generous in our giving to God! Before we sing our final hymn of dedication, brief announcements are read, and we are sent forth with an inspiring song or hymn and a benediction.
WE RETURN TO THE WORLD, RENEWED AND EMPOWERED BY GOD’S SPIRIT
As our worship ends, our service begins. We leave guided and empowered to be in ministry to God through the coming week.