Worship
Overview
Worship is central to our life of faith here at Houghs Neck Congregational Church. We seek to provide all who come an uplifting, faith-filled worship experience. Each Sunday, we proclaim the Good News of God’s love for us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope people leave with a strong message and the spiritual strength to help them live a faithful Christian life.
Our services are at 10:00 on Sunday mornings. Following worship, we have a time for coffee, juice, snacks and fellowship.
We celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every other month.
Family Sundays
On the last Sunday of the month, the whole church family, young and old gather to worship as one. The service has a more contemporary feel that appeals to multiple generations. It is a time to worship more creatively. Family Services may include Powerpoint slide presentations, drama, small group discussions, singing or dancing. We might worship in the style of a different culture (Africa or Latin America) or from times past (Shaker dancing). Each Family Service is a little different from the others, and people look forward to doing something new and different.
Special Services
Throughout the church year, we celebrate special services that we all look forward to.
Rally Day in September is a time to come back from our summer break, to look forward to a great new year and to register children for Sunday School. Worship has the feel of a Family Day service.
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service - On the Sunday evening before Thanksgiving, our church joins The Most Blessed Sacrament Church and the Bethel Church of the Nazarene for an ecumenical service. The service rotates between the three churches and the preaching and worship leadership also rotates.
Bell Sunday – On the third Sunday in Advent, everyone is invited to bring a bell to ring during the service. During hymns and the anthem, the church resounds with the sound of bells, celebrating the coming of Christ to the world.
Christmas Eve – We celebrate a multi-generational service celebrating the birth of Jesus, with lessons and carols, as well as a candlelight ceremony.
Maundy Thursday - On the night when we remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, we gather first for a dinner, followed by a solemn service of Holy Communion and a time recognizing Christ’s suffering and death.
Easter Sunday – In addition to our regular service at 9:30, our church gathers early on nearby Nut Island for a sunrise service, followed by an Easter breakfast.
Holy Humor Sunday – Following the tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church, who would tell jokes during the service following Easter Sunday, our Church gathers together for a service of fun, jokes and a few surprises. We celebrate that fact that on Easter, God played “a joke on the devil.” Everyone is encouraged to bring a joke concerning faith, church or religion to tell during the service.
Music Sunday – On the Sunday before the choir goes on a summer break, we celebrate the music ministry of our church with special hymns, anthems and a sermon based upon the music of the church.
Children’s Sunday - On the Sunday before the Sunday School goes on summer break, we celebrate the ministry of our Sunday School. The children lead the service and both children and teachers are recognized for a great year of learning.
What Our Worship Looks Like
Our regular services follow a simple yet effective pattern of Protestant worship, including:
Prelude - A piece of music played by our organist before the formal service starts.
Choral Introit – A short verse of music sung by our choir to begin worship.
Call to Worship – Some opening phrases, said responsively, to get us focused on worshiping God.
Opening Hymn - Our first hymn is generally an uplifting song in praise of God.
Invocation - A prayer said by all, calling upon God to be with us as we worship.
Reading from the Bible – Usually an Old Testament or reading from a New Testament letter is read first, followed by a reading from the gospels.
Anthem – Our church choir sings an Anthem related to the morning’s message.
Sharing of Joys and Concerns – A time before we pray, when anyone in the congregation can share either a joy or a concern that is in their heart and mind.
Prayer Time – Our time of prayer begins with a time of silence, to quiet ourselves and center our attention on God’s presence. Then the pastor offers up a prayer on behalf of the whole congregation. The time ends with everyone lifting up the Lord’s Prayer and a sung prayer phrase.
Offertory – A time when we present our offerings to God. The Deacons collect these offerings, a Doxology, praising God is sung and the Pastor blesses the offering.
Middle Hymn – The congregation sings a hymn that is closely related to the sermon that Sermon that follows.
Sermon – The Pastor preaches a sermon based upon one of the Bible passages read during the morning. Sermons general run between 10 to 15 minutes. Please see below for some recent sermons preached by Pastor John Castricum.
Final Hymn – A closing hymn that connects with the sermon topic, and sends people out uplifted and inspired.
Benediction – The Pastor blesses the congregation and the Congregation sings a blessing as well.
Postlude – The organist plays music following worship.
