Baptism

The sacrament of baptism is an outward and visible sign of the grace of God. Through baptism a person is joined with the universal church, the body of Christ. In baptism, God works in us the power of forgiveness, the renewal of the spirit, and the knowledge of the call to be God's people always.

Baptisms occur during our Sunday church service at Woodruff and Cross Roads. Any child of God, at any age, may be baptized in our church. Baptism marks the person’s acceptance into the care of Christ's church, the sign and seal of God's grace and forgiveness, and the beginning of their Christian faith and life.

The child of God is baptized with a sprinkling of water. During a baptism of a child, the parents generally speak the words of baptism on behalf of the child and church members agree to love, support and care for the one being baptized. Baptisms outside of our Sunday service are also available.

For more information about baptism:

Contact Rev. Kit Wilke
Email: revkit@verizon.net
Phone: (562) 424-2626

It is truly one of the blessings of our church community to be able to celebrate a joyous occasion such as marriage.

We offer a ceremony within the framework of United Church of Christ traditions. We want to create a joyous celebration that you will remember, so each wedding is personalized with scripture, prayer and music selection to fit each couple’s specific needs.

To schedule a meeting to discuss your wedding:

Contact Rev. Kit Wilke
Email: revkit@verizon.net
Phone: (562) 424-2626

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 Funerals and Memorial Services

We want to be as supportive and caring as possible for those dealing with the death of a loved one. To lose someone we love is never easy, but hopefully we can find comfort in the community of faith. We will work with you or your family to provide a service which will celebrate the life of the deceased and commend that life to God.

For more information about funerals or memorial services:

Contact Rev. Kit Wilke
Email: revkit@verizon.net
Phone: (562) 424-2626

 Holy Communion

We celebrate Communion the first Sunday of each month. During Communion our pastor and an assistant will hold a plate of bread and a cup of juice (no alcohol is served). Participants come forward to receive the bread and dip it into the common cup of juice. The special service of Communion is always outlined in the weekly bulletin. We welcome you to participate in this joyous event.

Meaning of Communion

The communion meal recalls the table fellowship Jesus shared with his disciples, and in particular the Last Supper on the night before his death as well as his appearances to the disciples during meals following his resurrection. Throughout its history these Biblical events have been central to the Church's worship life.

In the sacrament of Holy Communion, also called the Lord's Supper or Eucharist, meaning "thanksgiving," Christians hear, taste, touch and receive the grace of God revealed through Jesus Christ in a unique way. Communion is:

• a joyous act of thanksgiving for all God has done, is doing, and will do for the redeeming of creation;
• a sacred memorial of the crucified and risen Christ, a living and effective sign of Christ's sacrifice in which Christ is truly and rightly present to those who eat and drink;
• an earnest prayer for the presence of the Holy Spirit to unite those who partake with the Risen Christ and with each other, and to restore creation, making all things new;
• an intimate experience of fellowship in which the whole church in every time and place is present and divisions are overcome;
• a hopeful sign of the promised Realm of God marked by justice, love and peace.

The United Church of Christ seeks to be:

• united and uniting church
• multiracial and multicultural church
• church accessible to all
• open and affirming church
• peace with justice church

We are a community of faith that seeks to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed. The UCC was founded in 1957 as the union of several different Christian traditions: from the beginning of our history, we were a church that affirmed the ideal that Christians did not always have to agree to live together in communion. Our motto—"that they may all be one"—is Jesus' prayer for the unity of the church. The UCC is one of the most diverse Christian churches in the United States.

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.