Worship at Westmoreland
Participation in Worship
Gathering for worship is the central event for a Christian community. We invite you to celebrate and increase your awareness of God's presence in your life. Join us for this time of prayer and confession, for meditation, contemplation, and renewal at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday morning. Worship is an opportunity also to express joy and to seek peace and comfort of the spirit. Children and young people are an integral part of worship at Westmoreland. With the rest of the congregation they join in hymns and prayers and listen to the music and the Bible readings. Following the Children's Time, they meet together in their church school classes.
Service of Holy Communion
Communion at Westmoreland is included:
- in the worship service held on the first Sunday of every month;
- on World Wide Communion Sunday in October;
- following each worship service during Advent;
- on Christmas Eve, 11 p.m. service;
- following each worship service during Lent, except Palm Sunday.
Communion is generally administered by intinction: the congregation comes forward by pew, each participant in turn taking a piece of bread which they dip into the cup, then returning to the pew. Communion is open to all people regardless of church affiliation. We invite children to participate in communion at the option of their parents. Children not partaking of the elements may come forward with their parents to be blessed by the minister. A communion booklet for families is available in the church office. Click here for information concerning Communion practices at Westmoreland.
Other Services and Sacraments
The Sacrament of Baptism is performed in the context of congregational worship. The United Church of Christ welcomes and encourages baptism of all ages including infants. Contact the church office to make arrangements.
Confirmation takes place during a Sunday worship service in April each year. Confirmands are normally ninth-graders who have completed the course of classes taught by the Senior Minister with help from a lay teacher. Confirmands may choose to confirm their faith which includes joining the church, or they may choose to join without confirming which indicates they are continuing to learn and explore their faith.
The Celebration of Marriage: Ministers will be happy to talk with couples who wish to be married at Westmoreland. Normally several counseling sessions between the presiding minister and the couple are required. Please contact the church office for more information.
Memorial Services are held for the purpose of celebrating the life of a deceased loved one. Funerals with a casket present are generally not performed here. Please contact the Senior Minister.
Page last updated 10 April 2011.
Recently in Worship
Rev. Bob Maddox preaches
Rev. Jessica Petersen gives children's sermon
Our 3 In-care pastors take part in the service: Rev. Cho. Sung Hwan, John Forrest Douglas, Doreen Manion
Volunteer Corps member Sabrina Vasa gives a Mission Moment about her work at Bethesda Cares
Choir member George Singleton sings