Sanctuary Worship
Our sanctuary is a beautiful space in which to worship. Both the space and the worship blend traditional and contemporary forms. The sanctuary itself features rich woods, comfortable pews, and stained glass windows designed by one of our members, along with a high quality sound system and prominent projection. Worship is highly participatory and includes moments for movement, singing, speaking, praying, and contemplation.
We worship together in our sanctuary every Sunday morning at 9:30. We also worship together here on holidays.
Have any questions? Check our answers to commonly asked questions below!
Where is the sanctuary?
Our church building is located at 520 E. 11th Street, in DeWitt, Iowa. If you enter through the main doors under the carriage gate, the sanctuary will be located on your left.
What about parking?
The entrance to our parking lot is located to the east of the church building and wraps around the back of the church. We have a handful of accessible parking spaces that are reserved for people is disabilities. Otherwise, feel free to park anywhere.
When is worship (and how long does it last)?
We worship in the sanctuary every Sunday morning at 9:30. Sunday worship generally lasts about an hour, but may be longer when there are special events like confirmation.
We also worship together here on many Christian holidays. These services vary in length.
What can I expect in worship?
The framework for our worship services is firmly traditional. It includes a welcome from our pastor, a time to prepare ourselves for worship, a time for greeting each other, readings from scripture, a sermon, and a time for prayer and reflection. The services is punctuated by hymns and worship songs, prayers, and musical meditations. Some services may also include baptisms, welcoming new members, special musical performances, and other elements.
The content of our worship services blends traditional and contemporary elements. Our music is both ancient and modern, sermons address scripture and current events, prayers and other elements use both traditional language for God and gender-inclusive language.
What about children?
Children are more than welcome in our worship services. We have busy bags available for children who may need something to do, and we encourage children (and adults) to get up and move as they feel the need. There is also a special time in worship for the pastor to speak with our younger worshippers.
Children are free to participate in communion and other parts of worship as they and their parents think appropriate.
For young children, and parents who would prefer it, we also have a nursery with staff and volunteers. The audio from our worship service is available in the nursery.
What about people with disabilities?
Our building is fully accessible to people with mobility issues. We also have assistive hearing devices available.
What version of the Bible do you use? What hymnals?
We use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible during worship. First published in 1989, the NRSV traces its roots back to the King James Version, but takes into account more recently discovered Biblical manuscripts and advances in Biblical scholarship. It is the version widely preferred by Biblical scholars is used by many Protestant denominations. Copies of the NRSV are available in the pews, and the text is projected on the screen during the reading.
Most of our hymns come from the New Century Hymnal, which is commonly used throughout the United Church of Christ. Copies of the hymnal are available in the pews, and lyrics are projected on the screen when we are singing. Sometimes, we use hymns and songs from other sources. When we do, lyrics are printed in our bulletins and projected on the screen.
Fellowship Worship
We don’t really have a name for this service yet, but we also gather in our Fellowship Hall for worship on Saturday afternoons. This service is contemporary and casual, with time for discussion, prayer, and weekly communion.
We worship together in our Fellowship Hall most Saturdays at 4:30pm.
Have any questions? Check our answers to commonly asked questions below!
Where is fellowship hall?
Our church building is located at 520 E. 11th Street, in DeWitt, Iowa. If you enter through the main doors under the carriage gate, fellowship hall will be on the right.
What about parking?
The entrance to our parking lot is located to the east of the church building and wraps around the back of the church. We have a handful of accessible parking spaces that are reserved for people is disabilities. Otherwise, feel free to park anywhere.
When is worship (and how long does it last)?
We worship in fellowship hall most Saturday afternoons at 4:30. Saturday worship generally lasts about forty-five minutes.
What can I expect in worship?
The framework for this worship service is casual, intimate, and participatory. Each worship service has three main ‘moves’: a time for scripture, a sermon, and conversation; a time for prayer; and weekly communion.
What about children?
Children are more than welcome in our worship services. We have busy bags and a coloring station available for children who may need something to do, and we encourage children (and adults) to get up and move as they feel the need.
Children are free to participate in communion and other parts of worship as they and their parents think appropriate.
Our nursery is not currently open for this service.
What about people with disabilities?
Our building is fully accessible to people with mobility issues. We also have assistive hearing devices available.
Online Worship
We record (almost) all of our worship services and put them on our YouTube channel, along with a shorter video that includes just the sermon. Head over to our channel to find them!