Worship

•Communion & Baptism/Dedication      •Music
•Worship Volunteers

At First Parish we gather around the communion table on the first Sunday of every other month beginning in October. The celebration is open to all.

Usually the loaf of bread, made by a congregation member, and the cups of grape juice are distributed by the deacons to a seated congregation, symbolizing that these are gifts we receive without having to earn them. Other times, the congregation comes forward to individually receive the bread and juice, signifying our individual journeys of faith. On occasion, we stand in a circle passing the bread and cup from one to another, revealing that we are a community that feeds each other.

On months when communion is not offered on Sunday morning, a Sunday evening service provides a special opportunity to receive communion in a small group.

Once a year, we celebrate Flower Communion. Instead of bread and grape juice, we all bring flowers to worship. During the service, we each receive a different flower to take home with us. As varied and beautiful as the flowers are, so varied and beautiful is every person in the world.

We offer several celebrations for celebrating a new life. Infants and children can be baptized or dedicated. Both celebrate the child’s life, affirm the parents, and give the congregation the opportunity to commit to nurturing the child.

Baptism (from our United Church of Christ affiliation) is a Christian sacrament, bringing the child into Christianity. Dedication (more common in Unitarian Universalist Churches) focuses on the child, parents, congregation and God. Both can include water, prayer, godparents, etc.

Parents need not be a member of First Parish to have their child baptized or dedicated, but it is hoped that a child experiencing such a celebration would have the opportunity to grow within the congregation. We endeavor to baptize or dedicate one child at a time, for every child deserves and needs the full attention of a community once in his or her life. For more information about having your child baptized or dedicated, please speak with the pastor.

Please select one of the items below for more information:
More detailed information about baptisms and dedications
Resources for planning a baptism
Baptismal/Dedication Information Form