WORSHIP

Worship at Wash Park

~ Sunday Services are in person and via Zoom. Visit our COVID-19 page for details. ~

At Wash Park UCC our worship celebration is informal yet appreciative of the power of ritual. We explore an all-encompassing spirituality through a progressive Christian lens. We are known and valued as a congregation that is comfortable handling difficult faith questions and one that offers parishioners the freedom to question. Our worship reflects that.

We are sustained by worship services that continue to address the pain of our world and our commitment to do the counter-cultural work of facing the hard stuff, helping the community work through grief, fear and anger, envisioning a new world and working towards that, challenging unjust and environmentally devastating systems, and embodying hope and joy.

It is common for people of all ages to have a role in the service. We value the wisdom of each generation. Staff and congregation members work to ensure joyful worship music from both contemporary and traditional sources; purposefully including elements of other spiritual traditions; using language, ritual and music to speak to the interconnectedness of all living things.

Some tips for your first visit…

Time / Parking / Accessibility?

We gather at 10:00am for worship with coffee, treats and conversation afterwards in our Gathering Space. There’s parking lot to the north and handicap entrance in the alley. Our space is A2A certified as accessible to all.

What should I wear?

We are a pretty casual group. Wear what makes you comfortable. After all, members of our congregation come from all walks of life and you can see it in the way we dress.

Will I have to introduce myself?

You can expect a warm greeting from members of the congregation, but don’t worry! You won’t be asked to stand up and introduce yourself. We hope you feel comfortable to stick around for some conversation and snacks after worship and you can introduce yourself to whomever you’d like at that time.

Do I have to put anything in the offering plate?

You don’t have to give anything. Our offering is a chance to give from your abundance and acknowledge the many gifts that you have received. If you do share a gift, you can be sure it will be used for the spirit’s work.

How about kids?

We love children at Wash Park, so by all means, bring them along! Children begin church in the Sanctuary with their parents. Toddlers through 6th grade will go to their own program after Children’s Time, about 10:15 a.m.

Our Progressive Christian Coordinator, Shauntay, says, “First Sundays will be Youth Sundays – where if possible, please bring your youth to join us in Sunday school! It’ll be fun and engaging for all ages, pre-K through high school.”

Additionally, Intergenerational Sunday/ Communion Sunday is the second Sunday of the month. You’ll find activities for youth in the “nest,” and you’ll find the youth collecting a “noisy offering” to raise scholarship money to support them going to La Foret Retreats, Summer Camp and National Youth Event.

What about that Second Sunday?

On the second Sunday of the month, all but the youngest stay in the sanctuary. The children park themselves on pillows and often share a story with the adults!

For communion, all are welcome at God’s table. Gluten-free bread and grape juice is shared person-to-person. You don’t have to be a member of Wash Park UCC or any church to participate in this ritual of remembrance and community.

This is a time to connect with the spirit.

Sermons

Get a sense of the messages shared each worship service.
Sacred texts from a variety of sources set the tone for this part of our gathering.

WashParkUCC

We are an inclusive, progressive, loving, and caring community rooted in a Christian faith that values varied pathways of spirituality and mission. We strive to embody peace, justice and harmony for all of God's creation.

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Lee Berg on March 19th, 2023. It is the fourth Sunday of Lent, and we continue with our theme of "Shoes for the journey." Lee speaks on the human tendency to look for simple explanations for complex problems, which often leads to laying blame.

Video from our service on March 19th, 2023. It is the fourth Sunday of Lent, and we continue with our theme of "Shoes for the journey." Today's subject is the human tendency to look for simple explanations for complex problems, which often leads to laying blame.
Music info:
"You Are Salt for the Earth, O People" (Marty Haugen): permission to stream obtained from OneLicense with license A-718418.
"Living God, Touch Our Hearts": original song by Allyson Sawtell and Eric McEuen.
"Go Make a Difference" (Steve Angrisano, Tom Tomaszek): permission to stream obtained from OneLicense with license A-718418.
#sermons

Video from our service on March 12th, 2023. It is the third Sunday of Lent, and we continue with our theme of "Shoes for the journey." Eric preaches on a surprising element of historic Christian thought, which can give us a different starting point for the work of liberation, justice, and ecology.
Music info:
"The Summons" (Iona Community): permission to stream obtained from OneLicense with license A-718418.
"Living God, Touch Our Hearts": original song by Allyson Sawtell and Eric McEuen.
"I Want Jesus to Go With Me" (African-American spiritual): traditional; public domain.
"God Bless the Grass": (Malvina Reynolds): permission to stream obtained via Christian Copyright Solutions WorshipCast License #13004.
"Go Make a Difference" (Steve Angrisano, Tom Tomaszek): permission to stream obtained from OneLicense with license A-718418.
#sermons

Eric McEuen gives a sermon as part of our theme for Lent in 2023: "Shoes for the Journey". Eric preaches on a surprising element of historic Christian thought, which can give us a different starting point for the work of liberation, justice, and ecology.

Video from our service on February 19th, 2023. The focus is how we emanate light in our authentic selves, from the way we live and act toward one another and those we encounter in our everyday life experiences.
Music info:
"Every Time I Feel the Spirit" (African-American spiritual): public domain.
"Living God, Touch Our Hearts": original song by Allyson Sawtell and Eric McEuen.
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” (James Weldon Johnson/J. Rosamond Johnson): public domain.
"Go Make a Difference" (Steve Angrisano, Tom Tomaszek): permission to stream obtained from OneLicense with license A-718418.
#sermons

Video from our service on February 12th, 2023. This service falls on the second Sunday of Black History Month, and also Communion Sunday. The focus is on how we can do more good by working together across divisions. This service also includes a special blessing & dedication of our Kairos Call to Action Wall.
Music info:
"Imago Dei" (Jill Kirsten Warner): permission to stream obtained from OneLicense with license A-718418.
"Draw the Circle Wide" (w: Gordon Light; m: Mark Miller): permission to stream obtained from OneLicense with license A-718418.
"Living God, Touch Our Hearts": original song by Allyson Sawtell and Eric McEuen.
"They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love" (Peter Scholtes): permission to stream obtained from OneLicense with license A-718418.

Video from our service on February 5th, 2023. This service falls on the first Sunday of Black History Month, forming the background of Lee's reflection on how we might interpret Jesus's metaphor of "being salt and light" in today's social context.
Music info:
"Dream God's Dream" (Bryan Sirchio): permission to stream obtained from OneLicense with license A-718418.
"Living God, Touch Our Hearts": original song by Allyson Sawtell and Eric McEuen.
“We Are Marching (Siyahamba)” (South African song, arranged): permission to stream obtained from OneLicense with license A-718418.
"This Joy I Have/This Little Light of Mine" (African-American spirituals): traditional; public domain.
"Go Make a Difference" (Steve Angrisano & Tom Tomaszek, arr: Angela Salvaggione): permission to stream obtained from OneLicense with license A-718418.

Video from our service on January 15th, 2023. In this service, we reflect on baptism and what it might mean to us. Partly because of our social-justice tradition, and partly because this service is the day before Dr. Martin Luther King Day, we emphasize the idea of being baptized into solidarity with those who are oppressed.
Music info:
"Lead Us From Death to Life" (Refrain: Upanishads, Satish Kumar; verses & music: Marty Haugen): permission to stream obtained from OneLicense with license A-718418.
"Living God, Touch Our Hearts": original song by Allyson Sawtell and Eric McEuen.
"Wade in the Water" (African-American spiritual): traditional; public domain.
“None of Us Are Free” (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Brenda Russell): permission to stream obtained via Christian Copyright Solutions WorshipCast License #13004.
"We Are Building Up a New World" (w: Dr. Vincent Harding; m: traditional): used by permission.
#sermons

Sermon from our service on January 15th, 2023. We reflect on baptism and what it might mean to us. Partly because of our social-justice tradition, and partly because this service is the day before Dr. Martin Luther King Day, we emphasize the idea of being baptized into solidarity with those who are oppressed.

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