What to Expect on Sunday Morning at Old Ship
Logistics
Worship
Coffee Hour
Is Child Care Available?
Religious Education
- When are Sunday Services?
- Sunday worship services are held every Sunday from the first Sunday in September after Labor Day through the third Sunday of June. We have one service each Sunday at 10:30 AM, which normally lasts about an hour.
- What are Sunday Services like?
- Where are you?
- We are located at 90 & 107 Main Streets in Hingham. The Meeting House, where worship services occurs, is at 90 Main Street. Children’s Religious Education, child care, bathrooms and coffee hour all take place in the Parish House at 107 Main Street, across the street. You can click here to get directions.
- Where do I park, and what door should I come in?
- You can park along Main Street on both sides of the street, along the circular driveway in front of the Parish House and behind the Parish House there are several smaller parking lots. Handicapped parking is located right beside the Meeting House door and on the left side of the Parish House.
- For worship services, come in the door closest to the driveway up the Meeting House driveway. On Sunday morning, it is normally open and greeters are waiting for visitors.
- Following the service, please come join us for coffee and fellowship across the street in Fellowship Hall. You can either go through the front door of the Parish House and walk to the back of the building. Or, walk to the left side of the Parish House and use the last door to enter Fellowship Hall directly. This is also where the handicapped ramp is located.
- What should I wear?
- This is one of the most un-asked questions which almost every visitor wants to know the answer to. Our suggestion is to come however you are comfortable. You will see a wide range of styles of dress at our services, from people in jeans to those in suits and dresses. When there is an after-service event, or when the weather is bad, people tend to dress casually. At traditionally important services such as Christmas Eve, they often dress more formally. It's up to you.
- How can I get more information?
- Before and after any Sunday service there are representatives of the Members and Friends Committee at who can answer any questions you may have, help you and or your children find where to go, sign you up to receive our newsletter for a period of time, or connect you with the Minister or Director of Religious Education. At any other time, you can call the church office (781-749-1679), or send us an inquiry by email. There is also a wealth of information available about the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, our denominational home, at their web site www.uua.org.
- Do you ever cancel Sunday services?
- On rare occasions Sunday services will be canceled when severe winter weather makes traveling unsafe. If you have questions about whether services are being held, please call the Church office at 781-749-1679 and listen to the voice message there.
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- When are Sunday Services?
- Sunday worship services are held every Sunday from the first Sunday in September after Labor Day through the third Sunday of June. We have one service each Sunday at 10:30 AM, which normally lasts about an hour.
- What are Sunday Services like?
- Where are you?
- We are located at 90 & 107 Main Streets in Hingham. The Meeting House, where worship services occurs, is at 90 Main Street. Children’s Religious Education, child care, bathrooms and coffee hour all take place in the Parish House at 107 Main Street, across the street. You can click here to get directions.
- Where do I park, and what door should I come in?
- You can park along Main Street on both sides of the street, along the circular driveway in front of the Parish House and behind the Parish House there are several smaller parking lots. Handicapped parking is located right beside the Meeting House door and on the left side of the Parish House.
- For worship services, come in the door closest to the driveway up the Meeting House driveway. On Sunday morning, it is normally open and greeters are waiting for visitors.
- Following the service, please come join us for coffee and fellowship across the street in Fellowship Hall. You can either go through the front door of the Parish House and walk to the back of the building. Or, walk to the left side of the Parish House and use the last door to enter Fellowship Hall directly. This is also where the handicapped ramp is located.
- What should I wear?
- This is one of the most un-asked questions which almost every visitor wants to know the answer to. Our suggestion is to come however you are comfortable. You will see a wide range of styles of dress at our services, from people in jeans to those in suits and dresses. When there is an after-service event, or when the weather is bad, people tend to dress casually. At traditionally important services such as Christmas Eve, they often dress more formally. It's up to you.
- How can I get more information?
- Before and after any Sunday service there are representatives of the Members and Friends Committee at who can answer any questions you may have, help you and or your children find where to go, sign you up to receive our newsletter for a period of time, or connect you with the Minister or Director of Religious Education. At any other time, you can call the church office (781-749-1679), or send us an inquiry by email. There is also a wealth of information available about the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, our denominational home, at their web site www.uua.org.
- Do you ever cancel Sunday services?
- On rare occasions Sunday services will be canceled when severe winter weather makes traveling unsafe. If you have questions about whether services are being held, please call the Church office at 781-749-1679 and listen to the voice message there.
Every Sunday, from the first Sunday in September after Labor Day until mid-June of the following year, we hold Sunday Services at 10:30 AM in our Sanctuary. These services last about an hour (slightly longer on occasion) and follow a general structure, although services often vary a bit week-to-week from both a flow and content standpoint, and every service is ultimately a unique experience. We know it is often a little daunting to participate in a service that you might not be familiar with, so here's a brief introduction to some of the things you might expect, although not all items are included in every service, and the order may change:
- Instrumental Musical Prelude and Choral Introit -- By the Music Director and invited instrumentalists, often joined by the Choir
- Opening Words -- A few thoughtful words, generally from the Minister or leader for the day, sometimes original, sometimes a reading
- Welcome and Announcements of Timely Interest -- Words of Welcome from the minister, occasionally followed by announcements of particular interest
- Chalice Lighting -- the beginning of the formal portion of the service, and a signal to enter into a state of respectful listening and participation
- Hymns sung by the congregation --generally there are three hymns that reflect the day's worship theme, sung by the congregation, accompanied by the Choir if they are present
- Anthem by the Choir, a musical offering from the Choir to the congregation, often part of a larger piece which may be used for the Prelude, Offertory, and Benediction Response and Postlude
- Responsive Reading -- A short written piece read in unison by the congregation, usually alternating lines with the Minister or another leader
- The Offering -- weekly offering by congregation for the work of the congregation, accompanied by music
- Sharing of Joys & Concerns -- From time to time, an opportunity in the service for congregants to share important personal or family issues going on in their lives, accompanied by a candle-lighting ritual
- Prayer -- a time for prayer and reflection, often both silent and spoken
- Readings -- One or more readings, chosen and read by the Minister, which often provides context or thought for the sermon
- The Sermon -- a significant presentation of thoughts by the Minister or a guest speaker, generally lasting from 15 to 20 minutes, inviting the congregation into reflection on the theme of the day
- Benediction -- Words of completion and blessing offered by the Minister
- Benediction Response -- a short musical response sung by the choir
- Postlude -- a final musical offering, usually instrumental, by the organist or guest musicians. All are invited to remain seated during the postlude
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- Instrumental Musical Prelude and Choral Introit -- By the Music Director and invited instrumentalists, often joined by the Choir
- Opening Words -- A few thoughtful words, generally from the Minister or leader for the day, sometimes original, sometimes a reading
- Welcome and Announcements of Timely Interest -- Words of Welcome from the minister, occasionally followed by announcements of particular interest
- Chalice Lighting -- the beginning of the formal portion of the service, and a signal to enter into a state of respectful listening and participation
- Hymns sung by the congregation --generally there are three hymns that reflect the day's worship theme, sung by the congregation, accompanied by the Choir if they are present
- Anthem by the Choir, a musical offering from the Choir to the congregation, often part of a larger piece which may be used for the Prelude, Offertory, and Benediction Response and Postlude
- Responsive Reading -- A short written piece read in unison by the congregation, usually alternating lines with the Minister or another leader
- The Offering -- weekly offering by congregation for the work of the congregation, accompanied by music
- Sharing of Joys & Concerns -- From time to time, an opportunity in the service for congregants to share important personal or family issues going on in their lives, accompanied by a candle-lighting ritual
- Prayer -- a time for prayer and reflection, often both silent and spoken
- Readings -- One or more readings, chosen and read by the Minister, which often provides context or thought for the sermon
- The Sermon -- a significant presentation of thoughts by the Minister or a guest speaker, generally lasting from 15 to 20 minutes, inviting the congregation into reflection on the theme of the day
- Benediction -- Words of completion and blessing offered by the Minister
- Benediction Response -- a short musical response sung by the choir
- Postlude -- a final musical offering, usually instrumental, by the organist or guest musicians. All are invited to remain seated during the postlude
Coffee Hour in the Parish House
