 What
to Expect
Sunday Worship, each week at 9:30 am
The Old Meeting House is an energetic community of faith
that draws members from throughout Central Vermont. We welcome
all to participate in our community and to worship at the
Old Meeting House. Here's an idea of what to expect on Sunday
mornings.
What to expect when you arrive
When you arrive at the Old Meeting House, you'll find an early
nineteenth century, white-clapboard church in the center of
a traditional farming community of rolling hills. There is
a driveway that leads to parking lots at the edge of the woods
beside the church and -- aside from Mud Season -- in the neighboring
field. Across the yard from the church is the Parish House,
a community building that houses the OMH Sunday School, the
minister's office, a kitchen and gathering room.
Beginning early Sunday morning, the place is abuzz with ushers
lighting woodstoves, the choir rehearsing for the morning's
service, and coffee hour preparations. Please feel free to
begin your visit in the Parish House, or head directly to
church.
You will be greeted in the sanctuary by ushers who will provide
you with a bulletin to guide you through the service. The
service begins at 9:30 am with a prelude. OMH musicians will
play something suitable for reflection, prayer, or just letting
go of concerns and pressures. During worship, very young children
are invited to join our nursery in the Parish House; older
children join us for the first 20 minutes or so of worship
when most go with their teachers to Sunday School classes
and Junior High Youth Group meeting.
What to expect during worship
Our pastors (Rev. Elissa Johnk and Rev. David Connor) will
guide the service, and your bulletin will provide details
of that week's program. Our scripture readings follow the
lectionary and the prayers offered by the ministers and members
of the congregation follow the rhythm of our lives and the
world around us. Hymns are selected from the New Century Hymnal,
complemented by pieces arranged for our choir or guest musicians.
Communion is held the first Sunday of each month. We form
a circle within the sanctuary and all are welcome at our table.
What to expect after worship
Each service lasts about an hour, and afterwards, people usually
gather as a community in the Parish House. Coffee, fruit,
and pastries are served and we catch up on the activities
and lives of our neighbors and friends. Coffee Hour is a social
time, but it is also the place where the fabric of our church
life begins to be woven as connections are made between individuals
and between the work of the church and our community's daily
life.
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