Worship Services at Unity Church

During the church year (the Sunday after Labor Day through the third Sunday in May) worship services are held at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 4:30 p.m., except where noted. The entrance to the Sanctuary is at 733 Portland Avenue and parking is available in the church's lot on the corner of Portland Avenue and St. Albans Street. Map and Directions

From the Sunday before Memorial Day through the Sunday before Labor Day there is just one service each week at 10:00 a.m.
​
Each Sunday, through the work of the Generosity Ministry Team, seventy percent of the offering is placed in the hands of the chosen community non-profit recipient. The remaining thirty percent goes to support of the Community Outreach Ministry at Unity Church. Offering recipients for each Sunday are listed below the Sunday service description. If you would like to nominate a non-profit to receive the Sunday offering, please fill out the online nomination form.

April Sunday Worship
9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 4:30 p.m., except where noted.

April 7: Crossing Over: The Middle Passage
As we delve into the worship theme of freedom, we must acknowledge the legacy of its lack in our country’s history. Rev. Janne Eller-Isaacs and worship associate Maima Fant will explore the meaning of freedom in the light of the 400th anniversary of the first slave ship setting on American soil. 
Offering recipient: ComMUSICation

April 14: The Reign of Mutual Respect
When the Prince of Peace rode into Jerusalem many thousands gathered along the roadsides to welcome their new King. They wanted regime change. He wanted far more. Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs and worship associate Susan Heuhn will help us frame Palm Sunday and the Holy Week that follows in light of our covenantal tradition.
Offering recipient: Freedom School

April 21: Practice Resurrection
Easter Family Sunday services at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. only.
​There will be no 4:30 service on Easter Sunday.
To practice resurrection is to know the agony which is part of being human and to rise up in compassion and yes, in joy despite it all. The whole church family will gather for our Easter celebration. You can expect marvelous music, inspired preaching, and a sustaining story for all ages. 
Offering recipient: Mano a Mano International Partners

On Family Sundays, children experience the entire worship together with their families in the Sanctuary. A children’s message and activity books related to the stories and sermon help children to engage in the experience of worship. The nursery is open for children under three years of age. 

April 28: Coming of Age
Coming of Age Sunday celebrates the signature year-long journey of our 9th grade youth, transitioning from the inherited faith of childhood to the adult journey of faith, and marked by youth sharing their statement of faith or credo. COA youth, mentors, and families will be present at the 4:30 p.m. service, while all services will include a collage of voices, with religious education staff and ministers leading in joyful celebration. 
Offering recipient: Camp Tamarack

Holy Week

Maundy Thursday Service
Thursday, April 18 • 7:00 p.m. • Ames Chapel
Please join us for a service of ritual and community, sharing in traditional holy week practices of Eucharist and Foot Washing. In the Memorialist tradition, we join to remember the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, which include welcoming all people to a meal of love, giving thanks for the gifts of life, and serving each other in humility.

Good Friday Service of Tenebrae
Friday, April 19 • 7:00 p.m.• Ames Chapel
A service of Tenebrae, or “shadows/darkness,” is based on a twelfth-century liturgy of solemn observance and extended meditation on the passion of Christ. With candles extinguished after each reading and silent reflection, the increasing darkness on the evening of Good Friday invites worshipers to enter into the dramatic narrative of Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion, and to reflect on God’s steadfast love. The service concludes in darkness with worshipers leaving in silence, reflecting on Christ’s death, and awaiting the coming resurrection. 

Easter Family Sunday: Practice Resurrection
Sunday, April 21 • 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. ONLY
To practice resurrection is to know the agony which is part of being human and to rise up in compassion and yes, in joy despite it all. The whole church family will gather for our Easter celebration. 

​Coming of Age 2019

The entire congregation is warmly invited to witness the Coming of Age of this year’s ninth grade class on Saturday, April 27, at 2:00 p.m., in the Sanctuary. 
Come and listen in amazement as our young people share their personal credos, bravely laying out the beliefs of their hearts and minds for all to hear. 

Family and Story Sundays

Family Sundays 2018-19
Family Sundays take place five times each church year:
  • Sunday, September 9: Merging of Waters
  • Sunday, November 18: Thanksgiving
  • Sunday, December 23: Carol Sing/Shout
  • Sunday, April 21: Easter
  • Sunday, May 19: Flower Communion
On Family Sundays, children experience the entire worship together with their families in the Sanctuary. A children’s message and activity books related to the stories and sermon help children to engage in the experience of worship. Regular religious education programming does not take place on Family Sundays; however, the nursery is open for children under three years of age.

Story Sundays 2018-19
Story Sundays happen frequently throughout the church year, with children in grades 1-8 beginning in worship with the congregation in the Sanctuary. After the opening hymn, prayers, and children’s message, Workshop Rotation children (grades 1-5) proceed with their Journey Guides to their classrooms for religious education programming while junior high youth (grades 6-8) remain in the sanctuary for the entire worship service.
  • Sunday, October 28
  • Sunday, January 20
  • Sunday, February 24
  • Sunday, March 24