Worship
Welcome to Rye Congregational Church
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever.” (Psalm 100)
All are invited to worship with us during our Sunday services at 10 a.m.
Worship is the central act of our church.
When you attend worship….
You will be greeted by RCC members and friends. Ushers hand out bulletins that outline the service and include the announcements for the week. Large-print bulletins and hearing-aid headphones are available upon request.
Our worship service also includes anthems by our wonderful Choir, and occasional performances by our Youth Choir along with both Old and New Testament readings and lessons. Pastor Jon does a Children’s Moment where the children join him on the steps of the Chancel for a short lesson before going to Sunday School.
The order of worship is included in our weekly bulletins and can be obtained in advance by adding your name and email address to our mailing list. Hymnals and Bibles are located in the pews for you to follow along with the hymns and scripture readings if you wish. Music is included in the bulletin if the selections are not in the hymnals.
We endeavor to worship the living God through elements which raise our eye off ourselves and put them on Him. Most often, traditional elements are used, but with a graciousness and accessibility that avoids stuffy rigidity, or looking down on other expressions of worship.
“He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
Communion
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying “Take and eat; this is my body.”
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:26-28
Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. We practice “open communion” ~ all who believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God are invited to participate. Our invitation includes children who are accompanied by an adult who will assist them to participate with reverence and an understanding appropriate to their age.
Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, was instituted by Jesus to recall and proclaim the love He poured out from the cross. It is a family meal where His followers are nourished by His real spiritual presence, encouraged by the sign and seal of His promises, that He has come near, and He has come in peace.
Music
Music is an essential part of each of our services, led by our Choir Director, Mindy McMahon, and our Organist/Accompanist, Suzanne Sheppard. Traditional hymns and anthems are sung in the English choral tradition. Guest musicians and vocalists frequent our services throughout the year.
Fellowship
Please join us for fellowship and refreshments after the worship service in our Dining Room downstairs where our congregation meets and greets friends, new and old. We look forward to seeing you again!
“From one man, He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined that times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” Acts 17:26-27.
