WHAT TO EXPECT
Attending worship for the first time at Common Table? That takes a ton of courage, and we see you. Thanks for even giving this a chance. Here's what to expect in worship with us:
Expect our Common Table community to be reconciling, sacramental, safe, accessible, and responsive. (Read more about those words here.) We aren't perfect by any means but we're striving just the same, and we invite you to join us.
Expect to show up to worship just the way you are: casual, authentic, and beloved. Wherever you are in relationship to God–on the mountaintops of faith, in the valleys of doubt, or in the middling meh–you are welcome.
Expect songs, responsive readings, prayers, scripture, a message, and the Eucharist (also known as holy communion or the Lord’s Supper). On occasion, we also celebrate the sacrament of baptism.
In order to better reflect the diversity of the God we worship, we strive for a diversity of worship resources from around the world. Each service also includes a time of offering when we take the opportunity to respond to God’s grace. This can include financial giving, lighting prayer candles, visiting the baptismal font for a remembrance of baptism, signing up for service opportunities, and simply resting and reflecting.
Expect our music to be a faithful fusion of modern song styles and traditional hymns, all with our local approach and a deep bench of local musicians. We believe that what we sing shapes who we are, so we pay attention to details like congregational melodic accessibility, theological integrity, and inclusive language.
Expect our worship experience to be built around engagement with our scripture story. The music, message, and other readings are selected to illuminate and instigate scripture’s connection to our congregation, our surrounding community, and our world.
Expect a weekly celebration of the Eucharist. We believe that we are met there together by the risen Christ, connected to the Body of Christ around the globe, reconciled to the triune God and to each other, and nourished to live faithfully in the world God loves. From the table, we are sent to serve.
Our community believes God’s image is reflected in the diversity of human community. We celebrate diversities of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, theological background, and more. LGBTQ+ persons and families are welcomed and affirmed at Common Table.