Worship at First Church
COVID-19 Updates: (3-6-2022) We are holding indoor, in-person worship services in our Sanctuary (September - June). During the summer months (July-August) we worship in our Chapel. Our Sunday service of Word and Table begins at 11:00 a.m. We continue to follow all safety guidelines. During the service, we open doors and windows for increased ventilation, so please dress warmly.
Virtual Worship: Click here to access virtual worship bulletins and videos. You may also find the videos on our Facebook page, and they also show on Winthrop's local TV station WCAT channel 3 at 9am and 6pm each Sunday.
You can find audio recordings of sermons, in a podcast format, here.
You may also find an archive of past worship videos on our YouTube channel.
Virtual Worship: Click here to access virtual worship bulletins and videos. You may also find the videos on our Facebook page, and they also show on Winthrop's local TV station WCAT channel 3 at 9am and 6pm each Sunday.
You can find audio recordings of sermons, in a podcast format, here.
You may also find an archive of past worship videos on our YouTube channel.
What to expect at First Church:
Attire:
You may comfortably dress any way you like. Some people wear their "Sunday best" while others dress more casually.
Participation:
At First Church our goal is that every person may participate fully, bringing their whole self to worship. This includes categories of age, gender, sexuality, ability, race, economic status, and more. Infants, children, and people of all ages are more than welcome to attend the entire service. An all-gender restroom with changing table may be found as you exit the door on the right side at the front of the sanctuary.
We hope you will "come as you are" and find a spiritual home at First Church. You will find a welcoming and inclusive group of people committed to asking deep questions, living in community, and seeking justice together.
Liturgy and Song:
As you enter you will be given a printed bulletin that contains the order of the service. Hymns and song lyrics will be found either in the bulletin or in the two hymnals found in the pew racks. The red hymnal is The United Methodist Hymnal, and the smaller black hymnal is The Faith We Sing.
About our Sunday worship service:
We worship God together as a community through spirited songs, reading and preaching Scripture, communal prayer, and Holy Communion. Our worship services are lively and participatory. While we have leaders who preach, read Scripture, and more, the participation of the whole congregation is the focus of our gathering. At certain points in the service all participants will be invited to stand, read communal prayers aloud, to "pass the peace" by shaking hands and greeting one another, to partake in Holy Communion, and to join in song. You may participate to whatever extent you feel comfortable in these activities.
Holy Communion:
We celebrate Communion, also known as the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper, each Sunday. As a United Methodist Church, First Church has an open table for Communion. We believe that Jesus Christ is the host and that we participate at his invitation, so all who are seeking after Christ are welcome to partake of the bread and the cup. You do not need to be a member of this church or any church to take communion at First Church. We use unfermented grape juice and bread. Please ask the Communion server if you need a gluten-free wafer.
Offering:
Each week we will pass the offering plates so that members may give tithes and offerings to the church. If you are visiting there is no need to give, although you may do so if you wish.
Prayers:
During the service we spend time sharing our joys and concerns, so that we can pray for one another. Anyone is welcome to speak aloud their prayer request at this time.
Sermon:
Each week, our pastor (or a guest preacher) will offer a sermon based on the Scripture readings we have heard. The sermon is a time to engage deeply with God's word and to apply it to our daily lives.
After the service, all are welcome for coffee hour fellowship. During the summer (July through the Labor Day weekend, there is no coffee hour. We hope to see you soon!
Attire:
You may comfortably dress any way you like. Some people wear their "Sunday best" while others dress more casually.
Participation:
At First Church our goal is that every person may participate fully, bringing their whole self to worship. This includes categories of age, gender, sexuality, ability, race, economic status, and more. Infants, children, and people of all ages are more than welcome to attend the entire service. An all-gender restroom with changing table may be found as you exit the door on the right side at the front of the sanctuary.
We hope you will "come as you are" and find a spiritual home at First Church. You will find a welcoming and inclusive group of people committed to asking deep questions, living in community, and seeking justice together.
Liturgy and Song:
As you enter you will be given a printed bulletin that contains the order of the service. Hymns and song lyrics will be found either in the bulletin or in the two hymnals found in the pew racks. The red hymnal is The United Methodist Hymnal, and the smaller black hymnal is The Faith We Sing.
About our Sunday worship service:
We worship God together as a community through spirited songs, reading and preaching Scripture, communal prayer, and Holy Communion. Our worship services are lively and participatory. While we have leaders who preach, read Scripture, and more, the participation of the whole congregation is the focus of our gathering. At certain points in the service all participants will be invited to stand, read communal prayers aloud, to "pass the peace" by shaking hands and greeting one another, to partake in Holy Communion, and to join in song. You may participate to whatever extent you feel comfortable in these activities.
Holy Communion:
We celebrate Communion, also known as the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper, each Sunday. As a United Methodist Church, First Church has an open table for Communion. We believe that Jesus Christ is the host and that we participate at his invitation, so all who are seeking after Christ are welcome to partake of the bread and the cup. You do not need to be a member of this church or any church to take communion at First Church. We use unfermented grape juice and bread. Please ask the Communion server if you need a gluten-free wafer.
Offering:
Each week we will pass the offering plates so that members may give tithes and offerings to the church. If you are visiting there is no need to give, although you may do so if you wish.
Prayers:
During the service we spend time sharing our joys and concerns, so that we can pray for one another. Anyone is welcome to speak aloud their prayer request at this time.
Sermon:
Each week, our pastor (or a guest preacher) will offer a sermon based on the Scripture readings we have heard. The sermon is a time to engage deeply with God's word and to apply it to our daily lives.
After the service, all are welcome for coffee hour fellowship. During the summer (July through the Labor Day weekend, there is no coffee hour. We hope to see you soon!
Building access for those with mobility needs:
For barrier-free/handicapped entry, please enter through the parking lot at the back of the church. You will pass through the fence gate and into the white door, where you will find a chair lift for access into the sanctuary. Please feel free to contact the church using the contact info below if we can assist in any way.
For barrier-free/handicapped entry, please enter through the parking lot at the back of the church. You will pass through the fence gate and into the white door, where you will find a chair lift for access into the sanctuary. Please feel free to contact the church using the contact info below if we can assist in any way.
