Worship & Prayer

Discovering Your Way Whatever brings you here--a friend’s invitation, curiosity, our choir’s siren song or a prompting of the spirit--there is a place for you here. Park out front, in the field next door or behind the church (avoid the latter during mud season). Then enter from any door you choose. Our handicap accessible ramp is on the south side of the sanctuary. Find your way here.

Getting Comfortable Bring a mug of coffee, a cushion, a service animal, a pair of slippers—whatever makes you feel comfortable—and soak up the rays from the stained-glass windows. That’s the best way to prepare yourself for our worship service. Come in, choose a pew and make yourself at home. We’ll come and say hello. Find your place here.

How it Flows Our service is a blend of the traditional and contemporary. It is very easy to follow along and participate. We begin with a few announcements. Then we gather up the joys and concerns of the people as a token of our solidarity and to lift up in prayer later in the service. Then comes the passing of the peace. In what can only be described as an extravagant welcome, everyone greets everyone. Take your time, leave your pew, press some flesh. Eventually we all get back to our seats and the service will commence. Find your pace here.

At the Heart of It Members, friends and pastor take part. At the center of our worship we read from scripture and poetry, wherever the word of God can be found. Sermons at North Hadley are a lively interaction between ancient and modern parables, but always relevant to contemporary life. Expect to hear the unexpected. Expect to examine your own life and where it is that God is calling you. Find your grace here.

Open Communion We celebrate communion on the first Sunday of each month, right after the sermon. Just as Christ welcomed all to the table, so do we. No matter where you are on life’s journey, we invite you to share this holy meal with us. There is healing in receiving the broken bread in community. There is grace in receiving the sweet cup of new life in community. See how the ordinary can be transformed. Find your extraordinary here.

Music from the Heart Music is everywhere in our service and we invite you to sing at the top of your lungs. Join our small choir—the best little choir in the valley. Hum along with our talented pianist/organist. Most importantly, we want you to leave our service with a song in your heart. Find your voice here.

Let the Children Come Children are welcome in our service and are part of it. During our “time with the young at heart” children are invited to the steps in front of the Alter for an interactive discussion. Afterwards, children can rejoin their families for coloring, reading or listening from the pew or join our one-room childcare. Find your inner child here.

Fellowship Hour We believe that the purpose of the church is to provide opportunities for service, worship, prayer and fellowship. We consider no Sunday worship complete until we have had a chance to sit, share light refreshment and catch up or get to know each other better. Coffee hour follows our worship. Find your java here.