Unitarian Congregation
in Mississauga

A TYPICAL SUNDAY SERVICE
If you are new to Unitarian Universalism then you could be wondering what a Sunday service might be all about.  A typical service is featured here with pictures taken at a number of services and a composite Order of Service. Each week is a bit different to accommodate what is happening with the congregation and the world at large.

Unitarian do not have a creed so whatever your beliefs are you are welcome to join us.






This is our new hall for services.
On entering the hall on a Sunday a welcoming Greeter 
will give you an Order of Service and a song book.
The start of services is announced by the ringing of chimes.
 
A Typical
Order of Service


CHIMES - a call to service

GATHERING SONG
Enter rejoice, and come in, Enter rejoice, and come in.
Today will be a joyful day, enter, rejoice, and come in.

Open your ears to the song. Open your ears to the song...
Open your hearts everyone, Open your hearts everyone,..
Don't be afraid of some change. Don't be afraid of some change...
Enter rejoice, and come in, Enter rejoice, and come in.

WELCOMING

OPENING MUSIC

CALL TO CELEBRATION

CHALICE LIGHTING
Rise up, O flame, by thy light glowing,
show to us beauty, vision, and joy

SONG

GATHERING SONG: The service starts with a gathering song. This changes from week to week and the words appear in the Order of Service

WELCOMING: the service leader for that day welcomes regular members and newcomers
 

OPENING MUSIC: the choir sings for the congregation. All members are welcome to join the choir - just show up early for the practice

CALL TO CELEBRATION:
 Some opening words

CHALICE LIGHTING: each week someone is honoured by asking them to light the Chalice that marks the official start of the service

SONG: there are usually two and sometimes three songs that the congregation sings. They are usually from the songbook but sometimes special ones are printed with the Order of Service. Traditional hymns, folksongs and even pop tunes are sung.



MOMENTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: the children have a special story time before they go to their classes
DEPARTURE SONG: the congregation sings the Departure Song as the children leave
Go now in peace. Go now in peace.
May the love of life surround you,
everywhere, everywhere you may go.

Order of Service continued

MOMENTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

DEPARTURE SONG

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OFFERING

AFFIRMATION OF COMMUNITY

READING

MEDITATION

SERMON

SONG

CLOSING WORDS

CHALICE EXTINGUISHING

BENEDICTION

FRIENDSHIP HOUR


ANNOUNCEMENTS: the minister or service leader delivers announcements of events of interest that will be happening in the coming week or thereafter

 
OFFERING: like any congregation we depend on an offering plate being passed around

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF COMMUNITY: many responsive readings and ones in unison are found in the song book; but special ones are also often printed in the Order of Service

READING: a reading of material relevant to the sermon is read

 

MEDITATION: some uplifting words are said by either the minister or service leader, This is followed by a few moments of silence and concluded by a piano piece by our talented music director on our beautiful sounding Steinway 
An artistic floral arrangement is provided each week by a member of the congregation

SERMON: our equally talented minister is very much up to giving a weekly dissertation on some topical subject. His love of poetry and prose is very evident as well as his in depth knowledge of the subjects,
On occasion a guest speaker will give the sermon with a talk about their field of expertise

 

SONG: a final song for the congregation to sing
After the song we remain standing for the Closing Words, Chalice Extinguishing and Benediction

 

CLOSING WORDS: the minister or service leader will say a few final words
The service has lasted a bit over one hour

 

CHALICE EXTINGUISHING: 
We extinguish this flame but not the light of truth,
   the warmth of community, or the fire of commitment,
These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.

 

 

BENEDICTION: after the Chalice Extinguishing the members of the congregation all hold hands to form a continuous chain and sing to each other:
From you I receive, to you I give
Together we share, and by this we live


   

FRIENDSHIP HOUR 
Coffee, tea, juice, munchies and companionship