“Worship is central to our life together. It is where we gather to worship God, find inspiration and meaning, seek the movement of the Spirit or a moment of peace, and express the joys and sorrows of our hearts to a God who loves us all.”
-Rev. Katrina Forman, Lead Minister
We follow a similar order of service each week that includes participatory elements and a variety of music that leans traditional. You’ll hear a scripture reading, message for all ages, a sermon, and time for prayer in which the congregation shares their joys and concerns.
Everyone is welcome to our communion table.
Communion takes place the first Sunday of every month.
Parents and caregivers are invited to worship with their children no matter how young or old they may be (or how much noise they make). Some of our families feel comfortable taking their younger children to the nursery where childcare is provided.
We offer Sunday School during Sunday worship for children from kindergarten through 5th grade, Students kindergarten and up begin worship with their parents and go to Sunday School in another part of the church building after the “Children’s Message” about a third of the way into the service. Children return to the Assembly Room (where coffee hour fellowship takes place) after worship.
Music is an integral part of our worship service. Whether through traditional hymns, contemporary music – secular and sacred, jazz or folk, we feel the Spirit through song.
People of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate in the musical life of the church. Existing ensembles include the adult Sanctuary Choir, Handbell Choir, and Children’s Choir.
Contact our Co-Director of Music, John David Whitener, to learn more and make a joyful noise with us!
Our Congregation is made up of people from many religious backgrounds – some raised in the United Church Of Christ, others in Catholic or evangelical traditions, and others with no church background or coming from other faiths. All are welcome, and find parts of the service that speak to them.
Everyone is welcome to our communion table. Communion takes place the first Sunday of every month. Our services are usually about an hour long, a little longer when communion is served or we are celebrating a special event.
Please note that the general information below reflects our typical Sunday worship service.
We worship on Sunday mornings at 10am. The service is livestreamed and is also available for replay on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/unioncong1.
Union Congregational Church is located in Montclair, New Jersey, at 176 Cooper Avenue (nearest major cross streets are Grove Street and Valley Road). There is street parking on Cooper Avenue. We have a small parking lot for seniors and those with limited mobility reached through a driveway to the left of the church. There are two accessible spots and a ramp on the left side of the building. Additional parking is available on neighboring streets. Please note that Cooper Avenue runs one way on Sundays, so it is best to enter from Valley Road or Northview Avenue.
Enter the church through the main Sanctuary doors under the tower or through the accessible entrance through the Assembly Room at the top of the ramp on the left side of the church.
All of our services feature reading, preaching, prayer, and music. At times you will be invited to stand as you are able, sing, pray, be in silence, or read responsively.
Children are always welcome in our worship services. Childcare is also provided. Following the Message for All Ages, Preschool through 5th graders will leave for Sunday School.
Children of all ages are a vital part of our congregation. They are welcome in our worship services, and we provide nursery care and Sunday School. We have paid nursery staff available on site throughout Sunday morning. When you drop your child off at the nursery, you will leave your cell phone number with the caregiver.
Our youth group members (middle schoolers and high school youth) are invited periodically to help lead the “Call To Worship” section or scripture reading during the worship service.
We celebrate communion the first Sunday of every month and at other occasional services. Our communion table is open to everyone – baptized or not, sure or not. However it is you come, you are welcome at the table. Children are warmly welcomed to receive communion.
Our members strive to live a life marked by generosity and an offering is collected. If you are a visitor, your gifts are welcome but please do not feel obligated to put anything into the offering plate. We do have Welcome Cards in the pews for visitors to complete and place in the offering plate during worship.
Please wear whatever is comfortable. You will see everything from “business casual” attire to jeans, sundresses, and Bermuda shorts in the summer.
There is an accessible entrance up the ramp from the left side of the building through the Assembly Room. You would then proceed from the Assembly Room to the back of the sanctuary. Accessible restrooms are also available. In addition, we provide wireless hearing assistance devices for those who may wish to use them.
Worship services and occasional events at Union Congregational church are video recorded and streamed live. If you do not wish to be included in these recordings, please let an usher know and you can be seated out of range of the cameras.
There are opportunities to deepen your worship experience by volunteering for the following worship teams and choirs.
Building on the diverse talents of our members, the Banners Ministry Team has successfully completed its first year by creating colorful banners that have hung in our sanctuary throughout our liturgical year. Our small, intergenerational group has used a variety of techniques—silk screen, paint on canvas, sewn felt and a multi-dimensional series of banners depicting our Lenten journey—as a way to enhance our worship experience. And this is just the beginning! Ideas abound in our meetings where creative sparks fly fast! Look for new banners in different places in the months to come. So, come along. We’re seeking new members (no experience necessary!) to join the fun. Contact: Sara T. or the church office.
A communion server is a layperson who assists in the distribution of the elements (bread or wafers and grape juice) during the first Sunday of every month when we celebrate communion during Sunday worship.
Our adult church choir is a diverse ensemble of singers with a shared passion of music and faith. The choir contributes significantly to the worship experience with a wide repertoire. Rehearsals take place on Sundays.
Our handbell choir, the UCC Ringers, is a group of fun, supportive people who enjoy creating music together. All skill levels are welcome. Each performance is a bright and joyful expression of community.
Scripture readers are an essential part of our worship service.
Welcome Team (or ushers) have the opportunity to welcome newcomers to every service and get to know those who sit in the pews every week.
Not able to make it in person? No problem. We live stream every Sunday at 10am on YouTube.
Sunday, March 16, 2025 — 10am ET Sunday Service
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