Sunday Services at Michael Servetus are quite casual. You can come as you are, straight from the coffee shop or breakfast table.

Services start at 10:30 after the "ringing" of the bells. When you enter the church there will be greeters to answer any questions, provide a program and help you find a seat. If you have not been to our church before they will invite you to sign the guest register and look over the information in the lobby. If you are not a member, we encourage you to fill out and wear a guest name tag, but that's optional.

Child care is available, just ask a greeter for assistance. If you have school age children, they are invited to join our Religious Education classes. Most of the time the children start out in the sanctuary, and go to class after the children's story. This is indicated in the program, and you can talk to a greeter for details. Children are welcome to stay in the sanctuary with their parents for the entire service if they feel more comfortable doing that.

Rest rooms are located in the main building at the far end the Fellowship (Social) Hall, ask a greeter (or anyone with a printed name tag) and they can direct you.

If you come a little late, not to worry. We've saved a spot for you in the back of the church. There is blue rope that reserves the last several pews on the right side of the sanctuary for latecomers. We know it is not always comfortable to walk up the aisle to find a seat. Our greeters/ushers will help you find a seat when there is a break in the service.

During the service, we are invited to rise "in body or in spirit" for hymns, and we often applaud special music, good news, and the speaker. For Joys and Concerns (a time to share events and milestones in our lives) please wait for the greeter to bring you a microphone. People have been known to bring their latte into the sanctuary (coffee is a Unitarian tradition).

We do ask for guests to introduce themselves if they feel comfortable doing so. If you don't want to, that's OK too (I never did!). We put you on the spot even more by asking that you also wait for a greeter to bring you a microphone.

We take an offering during the service, and there is a basket in the lobby. Give as you are comfortable and able. The second Sunday of the month, the offering is donated to a charity, which will be announced and will often tie into the Sunday Service theme. The Sunday Services Committee strives to engage speakers/topics which support the diverse journeys and beliefs of all present.

At the end of the service, we all stand up and hold hands and sing, so don't be surprised when someone turns around and offers a hand. If you don't know the words, just smile. And if you are uncomfortable holding hands, you can offer your elbow or arm.

After the service, we meet for coffee, treats and conversation in the Fellowship Hall. The second Sunday of the month we have a potluck lunch after the service. If you do not have something to bring, that's ok, there is always more than enough. Our congregation has a plethora of good cooks who have contributed to our best-selling church cookbook. And some of us know how to shop for good food really, really well. If you don't have time to eat, please stop in and grab a cup of coffee or tea and say "hi," you don't have to stay. Most of the time there is a dessert on the table worth sneaking a bite before you go.

MSUS is a social and inviting place for members and friends. In addition to offering coffee and treats after service each Sunday and our Second Sunday Potluck Lunch, we offer a variety of mixers and events.

The Caring Committee also provides support when members experience hardship, illness, or death in their families.

If you would like more information about our church, talk to the greeters, the minister, or anyone with a name tag. Our current newsletter and brochures about our programs are in the lobby. If you have more questions, call or send us an e-mail. And, of course, our web site has a lot of information and several contacts who enjoy getting e-mails.

We would really love to see you, so we hope you join us this Sunday!

A typical Sunday Service may include:

• Welcome
• Announcements are printed in the bulletin, but there are always a few more to be shared!
• Opening Words set the tone for the Service.
• Chalice Lighting - The chalice has become a well-known symbol of our denomination. It unites our members in worship and symbolizes the spirit of our work. The flaming chalice, like our faith, stands open to receive new truths that pass the tests of reason, justice, and compassion.
• Opening Hymn
• Joys, Concerns, Milestones
• Children's Story for all ages - Children of all ages come to the front of the sanctuary for a brief story.
• Special Music by members or special guests reflects the topic for the morning or the season.
• Afterwards, the children are sung out of the sanctuary to the Religious Education classes. It is our tradition to sing the children out with this brief song:

May peace surround you,
May love surround you,
As you go, as you go,
On your way.

• Readings reflect or enhance the topic of the service. The reading may be any piece of writing.
• Sermon/Speaker expands the theme of the service. Because Unitarian Universalism is a truth-seeking faith, and because MSUS honors spiritual inquiry, our speakers may challenge, comfort, educate, or sometimes anger us.
• Offering
• Closing Hymn
• Closing Words summarize the spirit of the service or the season.
• The service concludes with these words to each other as we hold hands:

Go now in peace,
Go now in Peace,
May the Spirit of Love surround you,
Everywhere, everywhere, you may go.