Worship through the Seasons of the Church Year
Please join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am. Here’s a taste of what worship is like at First Presbyterian in Cottage Grove….
Advent and Christmas Eve
Advent is the beginning of the church year and we celebrate Christ’s birth during the four Sundays of Advent. We decorate the sanctuary with a Christmas tree, an advent wreath and poinsettias. Worship is enhanced by Advent music. On the fourth Sunday of Advent we collect the PC(USA) Christmas Joy Offering to benefit retired church workers in need, PC(USA) schools equipping communities of color, and leadership development for people of color. On Christmas Eve, we hold a candlelight service in the Sanctuary with lessons and carols. The service concludes with the sanctuary darkened and the passing of lighted candles as we sing “Silent Night”, Christ’s light coming into the world.
Ash Wednesday and Lent
For the past several years, members of the First Presbyterian Church have come together for a simple soup, bread, and salad dinner before an Ash Wednesday worship service. We invite the member of the United Methodist Church and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church to join us. We start our Lenten journeys on this night with a service of ashes in repentance and remembrance of our mortality, as the pastor reminds worshipers, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Throughout the six Sundays of Lent, we worship with more silence, contemplative music and prayer. Holy Week services prepare us for the joy of Easter and Christ’s resurrection.
Easter Sunday
Alleluia, Christ is risen! We begin the morning with an Easter Breakfast, then celebrate the resurrection of Christ in worship with special music and beautiful spring flowers. Every year the children decorate a cross with flowers and enjoy an Easter egg hunt in the garden after the service. On Easter Sunday we collect the PC(USA) One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, which helps in times of natural disaster around the world, feeds hungry people, and encourages economic development in minority communities.
Pentecost
Wear red to worship on Pentecost! We celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the church’s birthday with flame-colored streamers and lots of red candles. After the service the Christian Education Committee hosts special Pentecost activities in the Friendship Hall during coffee hour. We also collect the PC(USA) Pentecost Offering, which benefits children, youth, and young adults in our community and the world.
World Communion Sunday
We celebrate World Communion Sunday on the first Sunday in October. We recognize that we are united in Christ with all our brothers and sisters around the world. During this special communion, we offer breads from different cultures and countries to the congregation and enjoy special music from different parts of the world. On this Sunday, we collect the PC(USA) Peace and Global Witness Offering, which benefits ministries fighting injustice and violence and encouraging peacemaking everywhere.
Reformation Sunday
In 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, and unwittingly began the Protestant Reformation. On the last Sunday in October, we remember our heritage by celebrating Reformation Sunday. We pay homage to the great reformers, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Knox, as well as marking the ways that the church continues to grow and reform. We celebrate the Presbyterian Church’s Scottish heritage by wearing tartans to worship, listening to the bagpipes, and singing Reformation hymns and then eating shortbread during coffee hour.
