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Funeral, Memorial Services
and Celebrations of Life
A Christian funeral or memorial service is an
opportunity for people to gather in faith to
praise God and celebrate the gift of life. It is
also an opportunity to ask God for strength and
courage to accept death. The pastors offer their
presence at any time of crisis and especially
when death is imminent or has occurred.
Funeral arrangements are made with the help of
the pastor before information is given to the
press and before the funeral director proceeds
with plans. We understand and share your
personal grief and strive to make this service
respectful and memorial of your loved one. West
Vestry may be reserved for receiving and
greeting friends before or after the service and
Fellowship Hall may be reserved for a luncheon
if you desire. There are no charges for the use
of the sanctuary or chapel for funeral or
memorial services. Each year, in November, a
special Celebration of Life Worship Service is
held
honoring all those who have passed during the
year. Roses and candles are placed on the altar
in their memory.
The
Season of Advent
and Christmas
The Christian Calendar year begins with the
season of Advent, which starts on the fourth
Sunday before Christmas Day and ends on
Christmas Eve. It is a season of preparation and
hope, and the time when we prepare our homes and
hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ, our
promised Savior. Various services throughout
Advent include:
Choral Advent will feature all choirs and the
congregation singing and the Children’s
Christmas pageant at 9:30 a.m. between services.
Christmas Eve Celebration Service with bells and
Communion, is a festive and meaningful worship
service at 7:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve and a
Candlelight Communion Service - “Holy Hush” at
11:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve for a more
traditional, liturgical service.
The Season of Lent
and Easter
Lent is the period in the Christian year
starting 40 days (not including Sundays) before
Easter to prepare to celebrate God’s marvelous
redemption at Easter. It is a time for growing
in our faith through repentance, community,
prayer and fasting. Special services throughout
Lent include:
Ash Wednesday, seven Wednesdays before Easter is
typically known as the first day of the Lenten
Season. This service is held at 7:00 p.m. in the
Sanctuary and includes Holy Communion and the
“imposition of ashes.”
Maundy Thursday Communion Service is held at
7:00 p.m. the Thursday before Easter and lay
members of First Church symbolically wash
worshipers hands before they are served
communion. This is to illustrate the humility
and spirit of servanthood that Jesus taught his
Disciples as they ate their final meal together
before Jesus’ arrest.
Good Friday Service to commemorate Jesus’
arrest, trial, suffering, crucifixion, death and
burial, is held at 12:00 noon and at 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday offers two Easter celebration
Communion Services at 8:30 a.m. and at 10:45
both in the Sanctuary. Both services feature
bells, choirs and brass followed with a First
Church tradition of singing the Hallelujah
Chorus.
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