First Church offers three Sunday worship services to provide a variety of worship styles. Members and visitors are welcome to attend any of these services. The sermon of each service remains the same, while the format and music may change. Services are offered at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, as well as 6:00 PM. Sunday school for children 3 years through 7th grade is offered during the 9:00 AM service only. Adult classes are offered at 10:00 AM, between the morning services. (Nursery care is provided for all services.) Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month.
The 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM services are informal services. The 9:00 AM service features music provided by the Fireband, and the 6:00 PM service features the Band of Light. The 11:00 AM service is a traditional service, with music provided by the church choir. Generally, attendence is greatest at 9:00 AM, with many families in attendence, and the 6:00 PM service has the fewest in attendence, and is the most informal of all the services. However, whichever service you happen to attend, you will find yourself in the midst of happy, God-loving people who will welcome you with open arms. Visitors are encouraged to 'try out' all services to find the style that they find most comfortable. New members are welcomed into the congregation during the church service of their choice, following their completion of the membership inquiry class.
Worship in the style of Taizé is included in the 6 p.m. Sunday service the 3rd Sunday of each month in the main sanctuary. Taizé music and meditation concludes the evening worship service, following some liturgy, music, a brief reflection time by the pastor. This service is based on those in the community of Taizé, France. The service consists of meditative singing, scripture reading, prayer, and silence. The sanctuary presents a very peaceful, quiet atmosphere, dimly lit with an alter of candles, and minimal side lighting. The worship is led by a small group of individuals, and is not a 'performance', but rather a setting for the peaceful existence in the presence of God. It is a service of reconciliation, spiritual refreshment, contemplation, and peace. Look for a link to the Taizé community of France on the links page of this website.
Other special services arise during the year, such as Worship in the Park, Christmas Eve, and Holy Thursday. There are other special services during the year, and they are announced in the weekly and monthly calendar, so keep watch for upcoming events!