 | Worship |
Worship
At Judson, worship is eclectic, inclusive, joyful, musical and likely to have an old hymn and a show tune, a dance and a drum, or someone who says something someone else thinks they shouldn’t. A common pattern is followed but space is made for the surprises of the Spirit. We value times for quiet and reflection as well as a sense of adventure. Sermons vary, from the challenging to the comforting to the humorous.
Preaching Schedule through 2011
The Sunday worship service is held at 55 Washington Square South and begin at 11:00 a.m., unless otherwise specified.
After the church service, there is a coffee hour and a welcoming table at the back of the church where new people (and any others) are invited to meet members of the Congregational Life Committee and to ask any questions or to make suggestions.
November
6 Donna Schaper- Matthew 5:9, “Charging Hell With A Bucket Of Water”
13 Michael Ellick- Matthew 5:10
20 Donna Schaper- Matthew 5:11
27 Michael Ellick- Matthew 5:12
December
4 Donna Schaper-“Soft Power”
11 Michael Ellick
18 Donna Schaper- “The Able-ism Of Advent”
25 Donna Schaper-“Bootstraps Christmas”
Silent Meditation & Music Evening Services
Judson's Contemplative Service "Practice in the Presence of God" resumes on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 pm in the Meeting Room at 55 Washington Square South.
Please join Rev. Michael Ellick and the Community Ministers who will facilate silent prayer, meditation and music.
Order of Service
Introduction
Practicing “the Presence of God” is the recognition of the divine in all things, at all times, with all people, and in every moment. It does not matter how you define God, or even if you believe in God, what matters is making space for a Presence and Power greater than the Self.
Musical Prayer & Meditation
A Reading
Silent Prayer & Meditation
Taize Hymn
Evening Prayer
Closing Practice
Sometimes in silence and sometimes with music, in Closing Practice we clear the chairs, blow out the candles, clean up the Meeting Room, and depart without speaking, taking our practice out into the World.
Now our real service begins…
Stay updated with our Sunday services and sync to our calendar, Upcoming@Judson.
Prayer Requests, Joys and Concerns
On Sundays during our worship services there are two important moments that go beyond the hour of actually being together:
- One is "Announcements" at the very beginning of the worship service. Here we tell each other the life of the community.
- Later in the service, as we move into the prayer part of worship, we solicit "Joys and Concerns", the heart of the community for prayer. Many of us carry these joys and concerns with us throughout the week, and in our own way, pray for each other. While there is no one pattern of prayer at Judson, there are many ways that we hold each other's lives in our hearts. You already know that Judson has many "God Free" people in it as well as "God full." We embrace a variety of beliefs and unbeliefs and pre-beliefs -- and many of us just plain wonder. Nevertheless and still, we find ways to pray for each other, especially if prayer means to carry another in our hearts, towards what we know of the Divine.
- If you have a prayer request, a joy or a concern, please share it here. It will go automatically to one of the ministers....and they will share it with the community as appropriate. Strict confidentiality is kept unless you ask for the prayers of the community.
- Always feel free to ask for a completely private, face to face conversation with one of the ministers.
Agape
Judson's "Agape" service is held the first Sunday of each month. The climax of this service is the rite of Communion, and the format is different from that of most Sunday services. The congregation gathers around long tables. Worshippers are invited to bring fruits, breads, and cheeses to share at table along with wine and juice supplied by the Church. Communion is celebrated, sometimes with traditional readings and prayers, sometimes with informal words. All are welcome to participate - the communion table at Judson is open to all.
Music
Music is integral to worship at Judson, indeed to our community life in many ways. The music for congregational singing uses many traditional church hymns, but we also sing from the folk, spiritual, show tune, popular and world music repertoire. Sources for special music during worship are similarly eclectic and might be instrumental, from the choir, from individual soloist, or small ensembles. We welcome your musical gifts!
Judson's choir, open to all, performs often but not each Sunday. (Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings, at 9:30, in the Meeting Room.)
You can learn more about the history of music at Judson by visiting the History section. Of particular interest might be our history with Al Carmines, who graced the community with his musical, theological, and other talents for many years. Michael Conley is the current music director. You can reach him at extension 27 in the Judson office: 212-477-0351.
Open and Affirming
Who are You?...We are Judson Memorial Church: Spiritual. Open. Artistic. Expressive. Affirming. Come in.
Judson Memorial Church serves as a sanctuary for progressive activism, artistic expression, and spiritual nurture. We welcome persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities (including cisgender, transgender, and genderqueer) to participate fully in the life and ministry of the church. We support each and every quest to construct one’s own identity, affirming any and all who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning, polysexual, asexual, pansexual, omnisexual, and straight.
Questions about what it means to be an "Open and Affirming" (ONA)United Church of Christ (UCC) congregation? Visit www.ucccoalition.org/programs/ona/ to find out more.
Or a "Welcoming and Affirming" (AWAB--Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptist Churches) baptist congregation? Visit http://www.wabaptists.org/ to find out more.
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