Opportunities for worship are numerous and varied:
ELEVEN O’CLOCK SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES
The Sunday morning service employs traditional elements, including hymns usually from the Glory to God hymnal, and Scripture-based sermons. Members of the congregation serve as lay leaders.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
A Sunday afternoon service for members and community friends and their pets is held in late September or early October. Many dogs and some cats are regular attendees. The horse attended only once. Each animal is blessed by name. Usually, the event is held in the Welcome Center.
WORSHIP AND PICNIC IN THE PARK
On a Sunday in September of early October the 11 o’clock service occurs in the large, open-air pavilion at the Plains District Park in Timberville beside the North Fork of the Shenandoah River or in the Broadway Community Park. Afterwards, a carry-in picnic dinner is enjoyed.
ALL HALLOWS SUNDAY
On the Sunday following Halloween, friends and family members who are deceased are especially remembered. The Sacament of Holy Commuinion is served.
VETERANS’ SUNDAY
The November Sunday preceding the national observance of Veterans’ Day is designated Veterans’ Sunday. The military service of men and women of the families of the congregation in the defense of our freedoms, including the freedom of religion, is remembered with appreciation.
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
The 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service is certainly one of the year’s favorites. Besides the reading of beloved Scriptures, and hymns, the service has very special music. The service traditionally ends with the congregants standing around the Sanctuary, holding candles, and singing Silent Night and Joy to World. Attendance is usually large with families united for the holidays and with visitors from the community.
ASH WEDNESDAY
At the beginning of Lent, forty days before Easter, an afternoon or evening short service helps participants prepare for contemplation of Jesus’ sacrifice. This is a small attendance, special, and intimate service with participants seated in only a few center pews. At the conclusion the sign of the Cross is marked on each person’s forehead with ash derived from the previous year’s Palm Sunday fronds.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
To achieve a sense of mutual closeness, the evening service is held in the basement Fellowship Hall. A moving, but cherished element of the service is the washing of another participant’s hands in a basin. Of course, the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is observed. Mindful of the eminent betrayal of Jesus that occurred after the original meal was concluded, participants leave the service and the building without talking. On the church’s front lawn the three nearly full size crosses stand.
EASTER SUNRISE
The most joyous of services is held at 6:30 a.m. out of doors beside the Cemetery or in the Welcome Center. A hearty breakfast is customarily served following.
EASTER SUNDAY
The Easter Sunday service, appropriately, is the happiest, best-attended Sunday service of the year!
