Our special services can be divided into two categories: sacramental services, and services that celebrate or commemorate a special event, such as a marriage or the passing of a community member.
Sacraments
In the New Church we celebrate two sacraments: Baptism and the Holy Supper. These are often conducted during regular Sunday morning services, but they may also be conducted in private in a home or hospital setting, or in a private service at the church.
Baptism: This sacrament is a symbolic introduction into the church and into the truths it teaches—truths that will form the basis for future spiritual life and growth. People may be baptized as children or in adulthood. Baptism is a gateway to full adult membership in the church.
Holy Supper (communion): In this sacrament we eat unleavened bread and drink wine or an alternative, such as grape juice. Participants are invited to come to the front of the Chapel or to specially provided tables in the Chapel to receive the elements during prayer or meditation. During the pandemic, we are making special efforts to offer individual portions in a Covid safe way.
The Holy Supper is open to all adults. We usually offer this sacrament on the first Sunday of every other month beginning in January. We also offer it on Good Friday and some other special occasions. If you can't attend in person, you are invited to participate at home during the livestream or even when you are watching the archive.
The bread and wine are symbols of the love and wisdom with which God feeds and sustains our spirits. We receive these elements as a symbol of our desire to receive the spiritual gifts the Lord offers.
1/4 cup of flour (whole wheat meal or a gluten free alternative).
a pinch of salt
1 tablespoon of olive oil (or other oil)
2-3 teaspoons of cold water (enough to make it stick together )
(Note: The amounts of the ingredients vary depending on conditions to get the bread to stick together. Don’t worry about that – it is an ancient recipe that predates modern measuring cups, etc.)
Press onto a cookie sheet or into a pie pan.
Nathan
Weddings & Other Special Services
Arrangements for communion, baptisms, confirmations, betrothals, weddings, home dedications, and memorial services may be made with the pastors at any time.
Marriage: The New Church's teachings on marriage are unique, and precious to us. They reveal the fundamental spiritual differences between men and women, and the ways in which these differences complement each other. They describe marriage as a spiritual covenant between a husband and a wife, and as a deep-reaching and complementary partnership that can last to eternity. They explain what's at the heart of a healthy marriage, and they also show how a couple can work to restore peace and happiness in a struggling marriage. Visit our denominational site to read more about marriage, and love in marriage.