Music is a huge part of Moravian worship and spiritual life. Our worship services begin with a musical call-to-worship, congregational hymn-singing, anthems by our Choir, and occasionally our brass and woodwind Band.
To paraphrase one of our early church patriarchs, Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, the hymnal is our response to the Bible. In the Bible, we learn how the Lord communicates with us, and the hymnal is how we respond to Him!
Featuring liturgies (responsive readings), and over 600 hymn and songs, the Moravian Book of Worship is integral to every service.
The sacrament of Holy Communion is God’s gift to us. It represents the work and power of Christ, who is present through the sacrament. We regularly celebrate Holy Communion as part of our tradition, and all are welcome to participate. We recognize the tremendous value of coming together at the table for the Lord’s Supper as it reminds why we are called together as a community.
Baptism is the sacrament of Christian initiation into the fellowship of believers. As Moravians, we believe that it is very important to hold any baptism in the presence of the congregation during worship. It is a time to recognize not only the covenant between us and God, but also the covenant that we make with each other, pledging to love and support one another in the Christian faith. Please contact the pastor to learn more.
The Moravian Lovefeast is not a sacrament, but a worship tradition dating back to August 13th, 1727. On that day, a lovefeast was the result of a Pentecost experience during a communion service. Those in worship wanted to stay together, so they had food brought in so worship could continue. With a much smaller portion of food and drink, typically a sweet roll and coffee, we celebrate with lovefeast periodically throughout the year during worship. Lovefeast is our way to remember how important true community is and how it enables us to do the work of Christ in the world.
Our Christmas season services begin on the first Sunday of Advent when the first candle of the Advent wreath is lit. The circular Advent wreath symbolizes life without end, and four candles on it encircle a central, Christ candle. The candles signify God’s son as the light of the world. The four candles represent the four Sundays of Advent prior to Christmas Day.
Lent is another eventful time in the church year which begins on Ash Wednesday. During Lent, we gather each Wednesday evening to share a meal, fellowship, and a time of reflection.
Holy Week Readings begin on Palm Sunday, and conclude with a Good Friday Lovefeast.
On Easter Sunday, our pastor and Band lead us into our God’s Acre with a Sunrise Service, followed by our 11:00 am worship Easter celebration proclaiming: Our Lord is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed!
We hold special services for our high school and college graduates in June, our military Veterans in November, and we hold a special Thanksgiving lovefeast in November.
