Most congregations meet weekly on Sunday mornings, but times, days, and frequencies vary. Many congregations also hold weekday activities as well. Check out our congregation locator to find out the full details for your local congregation.
What does a standard Community of Christ worship service look like?
This varies based on the congregation and the week. Because the services are planned by a variety of people and the service leadership and participants change from week to week, no two services will ever be exactly alike. Some will be more traditional, others more contemporary, and most somewhere in-between. All will provide an opportunity for you to share in music, scripture, and challenging words of hope, faith, and the love of Jesus Christ.
Although worship styles vary widely, a typical service may include the following:
Welcome/News/Needs The presider, or the person responsible for organizing and overseeing that week’s worship service, will welcome those in attendance. During this time, attendees are given the opportunity to talk about noteworthy events in their lives, request prayers, or alert the congregation to opportunities for service and fellowship in the community. A prayer may be offered.
Hymns The congregation will sing two to four hymns at each worship service. Most of these hymns will come from our most recent hymn book, Community of Christ Sings! At times, hymns or worship music from other sources will be used. In these instances, words will be provided.
Call to Worship The Call to Worship is an opportunity to centre the mind and prepare for the worship service. It invites us to settle into this sacred space. This may include a special hymn, a call and response, a meditative question, or a scripture reading.
Prayer for Peace Each day at the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri, USA, a prayer of supplication is offered for a different country throughout the world to promote peace and justice. On Sundays we take the opportunity to model this practice in our communal worship services. Often the individual offering the Prayer for Peace will take some time to share some brief information about the country chosen for that day including diplomatic and domestic challenges it may be facing.
Prayers In addition to the Prayer for Peace, a standard worship service will include a number of prayers, including Invocations, Benedictions, prayers of supplication, and occasionally administration through the laying on of hands for healing or comfort.
Disciples Generous Response (Offertory) Each week tithes and offerings are collected during the service. In addition to a collection for the general operating funds of the church, certain offerings may be requested for special projects or a specific missional goal. Patrons are invited to specify which projects or mission initiatives they wish to financially support by indicating their preferences on their offering envelope. Programmatically, the Disciples Generous Response may include a reading of scripture, sharing of a story, or a video about various projects conducted at the congregation, mission, or world church level. A collection basket is passed around the congregation to collect these funds.
What does a communion service look like?
In most congregations, Communion Sunday (also referred to as The Lord's Supper, Sacrament Service, Eucharist, etc.) takes place on the first Sunday of every month. Community of Christ congregations worldwide regularly celebrate the Lord’s Supper as an opportunity to reflect on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is also a chance to recommit ourselves to following him.
During communion, ordained ministers of the church serve bread and grape juice as symbols of Jesus’ body and blood.
What do I wear?
Dress on Sunday leans towards business casual; however, you will find people dressed in their Sunday best and others in blue jeans, a t-shirt, and flip flops. Wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable. Come as you are!
How long does each service last?
Worship services typically run for approximately one hour, and Sunday School classes usually last one hour, if offered.
