Worship is at the heart of The Congregational Church’s life. Each Sunday we gather in response to God’s call to celebrate the Good News of God in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. Our worship services feature the reading of scripture, a children’s sermon, lay participation, relevant and prophetic preaching, and beautiful music. Baptisms are celebrated in public worship and Holy Communion is offered on the first Sunday of each month for all who desire to partake of the sacrament.
COMMUNION
Everyone is Welcome
Our church practices open communion and welcomes all who wish to participate. As a sign of our individual participation in the body of Christ, we take the bread from the passed tray and eat when we are ready; the cup we hold and drink together as a symbol of our unity in Christ. All cups contain grape juice and the bread is gluten, dairy, soy and nut free and non-GMOP (by Canyon Bakehouse).
MUSIC
Our Programs
We are very proud of the music program at our church. Music is a highlight for many of our members and visitors. Both sung and instrumental musical are in every worship service.
Chancel Choir
From September through May, adults and high school students sing a variety of music from Baroque to Contemporary for our service.
An annual highlight is the Mardigras service which features music by the choir and jazz ensemble, interwoven with special readings.
The Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursdays, from 6:30-7:30 pm. Come join us!
Children’s Choir
This choir sings frequently for church services during the school year. Children from preschool through elementary make up our singers.
The children's choir rehearses at 9:15 am on Sundays. To join, show up at rehearsal in the Chapel!
Bell Choir
Our choir uses a four-octave set of English handbells from Malmark to ring during the worship service about once per month.
As part of outreach ministry, the bell choir provides a service during the Christmas season at the Federal Medical Center, Rochester’s Nativity event and on other invited occasions.
Ringers meet for rehearsal on Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm. Individuals wishing to explore the bells can contact our Music Director.
Youth Bell Choir
Our youth bell choir also regularly rings in the worship service during the school year. Typically, members are children in 6th grade and above.
Rehearsals are Sundays at 11:15 am. Youth wishing to participate in the bell choir are invited to contact our Music Director.
Our Instrumentalists and Instruments
Our Instrumentalists provide music of various kinds. Currently a brass ensemble lends a festive dimension to Sundays, Christmas and Easter. Other musical members share their skills and talents as well. Our church is blessed to have wonderful instruments, thanks to the generous and continued support of members who appreciate the many aspects and components of music.
Because of the quality instruments and satisfying acoustics, the sanctuary is often chosen by student and professional musicians to present concerts and recitals.
ORGANS
The Sanctuary organ is a three-manual instrument that has 2156 pipes. With a pedal board of 32 notes, 53 draw knobs for 35 ranks along with 16 intermanual/pedal couplers and 6 intramanual couples, there are many possible combinations. The South Eastern Minnesota chapter of American Guild of Organists has used this organ for various chapter recitals and student organ camp.
The Chapel organ was built as a prototype by General Electro Musical Products of Italy for debut at the 1992 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists in Atlanta. It is a three-manual and pedal instrument of digitally sampled sounds taken from a number of historic European organs. This organ is a gracious gift from Mr. and Mrs. Merrill N. Davis III.
GRAND PIANO
A Steinway grand piano adds another dimension to keyboard music from classical to jazz genres.
Other pianos are available for use for other activities.
