How we worship
Worship at Unity is neither "traditional" nor "contemporary" but ancient-future. Our worship speaks across generations and draws equally upon ancient practices that have sustained the faith for generations - hymns, chant, candles, communion - and the renewing breath of the Holy Spirit creating new art, music, and worship from our culture today that expresses our deepest thanks and highest praise. So, there is no need to 'check your culture at the door.' Come as you are and be at home spiritually, with God, and among friends. We gather Sundays at 10:15am.
Our worship is been marked by a pattern of gathering, word, meal, and sending, the basic elements revealed in the New Testament, the writings of the early Church, the Lutheran confessions, and ecumenical documents, which we bring to new life each week in our ancient-future, ever evolving worship.
Summer Worship
As the summer weather approaches, we gather for worship outside on the front steps and Green Space at 10am to enjoy the beauty of God's creation with friends and guests. Our service is more simple and green: minimal worship folder, songs from the pew book, prayers from the heart shared with leader and people, and the Lord's meal with delicious bread and wine brought by volunteers. Our sending is joyous and continues with food and fellowship. Everyone welcome!
The formation of Lutheran worship:
Luke 24:27, 30-31a
Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. . . . When he was at table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.
Acts 2:42
The baptized devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
From the Apology of Justin Martyr (c. 150 A.D.)
On Sunday all are gathered together in unity. The records of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read for as long as time allows. The presider exhorts and invites us into the pattern of these good things. Then we all stand and offer prayer.
Then when we have concluded the prayer, bread is set out together with wine. The presider then offers prayer and thanksgiving and the people sing out their assent, saying the "Amen." There is a distribution of the things over which thanks has been said and each person participates, and these things are sent to those who are not present.
Those who are prosperous give what they wish according to each one's own choice, and the collection is deposited with the presider, who aids orphans and widows, those in want because of disease, those in prison, and foreigners who are staying here.
We hold this meeting together on Sunday since it is the first day, on which God, having transformed darkness and matter, created the world. On the same day Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead. On Sunday he appeared to his apostles and disciples and taught them these things which we present to you.
It is taught among us that one holy Christian church will be and remain forever. This is the assembly of all believers among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel.
Augsburg Confession VII (1530)
For it is sufficient for the true unity of the Christian church that the Gospel be preached in conformity with a pure understanding of it and that the sacraments be administered in accordance with the divine Word. It is not necessary for the true unity of the Christian church that humanly instituted ceremonies should be observed uniformly in all places.
Holy Communion
The smaller groups of apostles who met at various times during the week for mission and community groups, prayer, scripture reflection and service, came together each week for a mass Gathering. The word 'mass' comes from the end of the ancient latin liturgy "eta missa est" (the gathering is ended, you are sent forth). So our accent is not on 'coming to church,' but on leaving, to be church in the world. At holy communion we immerse ourselves in the ways of God, and discern what God is doing in us and in our world, as we encounter to God's Word, Jesus Christ whose story is told in bible readings and a message. We respond to by praying for the world and all in need, and offering gifts for the care of the poor and the mission of the church. Then we share the Meal of bread and wine, giving thanks to God for the gifts of grace and salvation, remembering the crucified and risen Christ, and praying for the Holy Spirit in this meal. We do all this so we can go home. As disciples of Jesus Christ, our home is not the church, but the world. We don't gather to become "churched," but to be fueled for being church 24/7 in the world. We are Sent into the world to walk as disciples of Jesus, "to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God." (Micah 6:8).
Our worship is been marked by a pattern of gathering, word, meal, and sending, the basic elements revealed in the New Testament, the writings of the early Church, the Lutheran confessions, and ecumenical documents, which we bring to new life each week in our ancient-future, ever evolving worship.
Summer Worship
As the summer weather approaches, we gather for worship outside on the front steps and Green Space at 10am to enjoy the beauty of God's creation with friends and guests. Our service is more simple and green: minimal worship folder, songs from the pew book, prayers from the heart shared with leader and people, and the Lord's meal with delicious bread and wine brought by volunteers. Our sending is joyous and continues with food and fellowship. Everyone welcome!
The formation of Lutheran worship:
Luke 24:27, 30-31a
Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. . . . When he was at table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.
Acts 2:42
The baptized devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
From the Apology of Justin Martyr (c. 150 A.D.)
On Sunday all are gathered together in unity. The records of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read for as long as time allows. The presider exhorts and invites us into the pattern of these good things. Then we all stand and offer prayer.
Then when we have concluded the prayer, bread is set out together with wine. The presider then offers prayer and thanksgiving and the people sing out their assent, saying the "Amen." There is a distribution of the things over which thanks has been said and each person participates, and these things are sent to those who are not present.
Those who are prosperous give what they wish according to each one's own choice, and the collection is deposited with the presider, who aids orphans and widows, those in want because of disease, those in prison, and foreigners who are staying here.
We hold this meeting together on Sunday since it is the first day, on which God, having transformed darkness and matter, created the world. On the same day Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead. On Sunday he appeared to his apostles and disciples and taught them these things which we present to you.
It is taught among us that one holy Christian church will be and remain forever. This is the assembly of all believers among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel.
Augsburg Confession VII (1530)
For it is sufficient for the true unity of the Christian church that the Gospel be preached in conformity with a pure understanding of it and that the sacraments be administered in accordance with the divine Word. It is not necessary for the true unity of the Christian church that humanly instituted ceremonies should be observed uniformly in all places.
Holy Communion
The smaller groups of apostles who met at various times during the week for mission and community groups, prayer, scripture reflection and service, came together each week for a mass Gathering. The word 'mass' comes from the end of the ancient latin liturgy "eta missa est" (the gathering is ended, you are sent forth). So our accent is not on 'coming to church,' but on leaving, to be church in the world. At holy communion we immerse ourselves in the ways of God, and discern what God is doing in us and in our world, as we encounter to God's Word, Jesus Christ whose story is told in bible readings and a message. We respond to by praying for the world and all in need, and offering gifts for the care of the poor and the mission of the church. Then we share the Meal of bread and wine, giving thanks to God for the gifts of grace and salvation, remembering the crucified and risen Christ, and praying for the Holy Spirit in this meal. We do all this so we can go home. As disciples of Jesus Christ, our home is not the church, but the world. We don't gather to become "churched," but to be fueled for being church 24/7 in the world. We are Sent into the world to walk as disciples of Jesus, "to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God." (Micah 6:8).