Services

Worship at First Congregational Church is traditional, but open.
It calls us to hear God’s Word, to reflect and to pray, to voice a response, and to go forth to serve.

Worship Schedule
SUNDAYS

8 a.m.
Worship in the Chapel

Each Sunday the scripture and sermon will be the same as at 10 a.m.

9 a.m.
Discovery Hour

Discovery Hour will resume in September 2010.

10 a.m.
Worship in the Nave and Sunday School

Our outstanding choirs (First Church, Junior, Cherub and Jubilation) will help to highlight our offering of praise to God. Our excellent Sunday School program will be offered at this time. During the summer schedule, Summer Sunday School is offered for children ages 3 - entering 3rd grade.

Summers Soloists and Organists for 2010
July 4/Nicolas Sluss Rodionov, Bass/Ralph Ehlert, Organist
July 11/Eleanor Quint, Soprano/Ralph Ehlert, Organist
July 18/Sarah Gorke, Soprano/Nicolas Sluss Rodionov, Organist
July 25/Kathleen Sonnentag, Mezzo-Soprano/Ralph Ehlert, Organist
August 1/Jill Bruss, Mezzo-Soprano/Ralph Ehlert, Organist
August 8/Fowler-LaBelle Quartet/Nicolas Sluss Rodionov, Organist
August 15/Dale Porter, Baritone/Ralph Ehlert, Organist
August 22/Elizabeth Gregory-Jaffe, Mezzo-Soprano/Thomas Gregory, Accompanist and Ralph Ehlert, Organist
August 29/Steeple Belles/Ralph Ehlert, Organist
September 5/Kimberly Porter, Soprano/Thomas Gregory, Organist

11:00 a.m.
Coffee in Friendship Lounge and the Atrium

Special Holiday Services - 2010

Ash Wednesday- February 17, 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Maundy Thursday- April 1, 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday- April 2, 8:00 p.m.
Easter Vigil at Trinity Episcopal- April 3, 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday- April 4, 8 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Thanksgiving Day- November 25, 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, December 19, 8:00 & (Lessons and Carols) 10:00 a.m.
Christmas Eve Services- Dec. 24:

4 p.m. Family Service
7 p.m. Candlelight Service
11 p.m. Candlelight Choral Service

Sunday, December 26, 10:00 a.m.

Click Here for Sermons

Why do we worship?

Why do we come together Sunday after Sunday? Human beings have the ability to reason, feel and be reflective, so we can explain the world around us. Yet we come to an awareness that there is something more to us. This leads to longing.

The longing we feel is for the Transcendent, that which is Wholly Other than we are, yet which completes us. There is a part of us that is missing and can only be filled by union with the One. We worship because we are responding to that missing part of ourselves and are looking for the God who seeks us in relationship.

We worship because we seek to respond to God's gracious invitation to relationship as expressed in the Christ. Worship recognizes the ultimate end of relating to God, to the search for connection with the Transcendent. The purpose of worship is to place us in the Divine Presence and be in relationship with the Creator of all that is. So we are incorporated into the living Body of Christ and we become vehicles of God's presence in the world.

Sacraments and Holy Rites

Baptism of infants and children may take place at any regular worship service. In addition to the Christian baptismal ceremony, this occasion affords an opportunity for formal dedication of parents, sponsors, and all members of the congregation to provide Christian teaching to the child, both by profession and by example. Arrangements for adult baptism may be made at any time through private conference with one of the ministers. 414-258-7375

Confirmation is held annually. Youth who have completed the two-year Covenant Class during ninth and tenth grade are invited to own the church covenant and be received into the membership of the church.

Reception of New Members occurs several times a year. New members are welcomed in the church fellowship at regular Sunday worship services. New Member class is held several times during the year. Please contact the church office firstchurchtosa@firstchurchtosa.org for information on the next class.

Weddings are conducted by any of the ministers, either in the nave or the chapel.

Nave	Chapel

To ensure proper preparation for the founding of a Christian home, preliminary pastoral conferences are held. The church has a wedding hostess to answer questions, coordinate the rehearsal, and assist with details. Those desiring to be united in marriage should contact the church office. 414-258-7375, or e-mail your intentions here. For more information, please read our Wedding Booklet and Wedding Fee Schedule.

Funerals and Memorial Services provide prayerful recognition of the goodness and mercy of God. The ministers are ready to give counsel and help at any time and should be called at once when death occurs. The funeral service may be held at the church, at a funeral home, or at graveside. Many people prefer a memorial service at the church following private interment. A booklet titled "If I Should Die..." and a form for detailing one's funeral preferences are available in the office. The completed forms are helpful and are kept on file in the church office.

Holy Communion is celebrated every month, and at various times throughout the year including Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday. We understand the Lord's table to be an open and welcoming table for all followers of Jesus Christ, regardless of denominational affiliation.