Special Services

(held annually or in the past)

Tenebrae Service

The church holds it's annual Tenebrae Service in the sanctuary. This “service of the shadows” recreates the last days of Jesus’ life, leading up to his crucifixion on the cross through scripture and music. The progress is marked by the dimming of lights until, with the removal of the Christ Candle, we are reminded of the final isolation of Jesus in darkness on the cross.

Easter Services

Easter Sunrise Service

In the past the church took part in a community wide Easter Sunrise Service at 7:00am at Opus 40. Set amidst the beautiful bluestone rock sculptures of artist Harvey Fite, the service takes place outdoors on a 70 acre open oasis. This brief community service celebrates the resurrection of Christ as the sun warms the crisp spring air and draws us into the joy of God’s creation. It is a blessed moment, a time when life and faith come together at once in a profound way.

Sanctuary Service

Our Easter morning sanctuary service will begin at 10:30am. With special music for the occasion, we will celebrate a defining day in our lives as Christians. Come worship with us as we honor the One who brings the true meaning of joy into our lives every day. We hope you and your family will join us.

Advent Walk

Each year the church, as a member of the Saugerties Area Council of Churches, takes part in the Advent Walk which marks the beginning of Advent Season. A series of five short (20 minute) services begin at First Congregational, onto the Reformed Church of Saugerties, and then arriving at United Methodist. A social hour follows at the United Methodist Church where finger foods are served for those who participate. Gift donations are accepted each year for abused children of Ulster County.

Christmas Eve Candle Light Service

Once again Christmas Eve was celebrated at the church with a candle light service in the sanctuary beginning at 7:30 pm on December 24th. We followed the nine lessons and carols. Pastor’s message will be “All Is Calm” this year. Guest instrumentalists and soloists join the sanctuary choir for a glorious evening of music under the guidance of our gifted musical director Lorraine Nelson Wolf. Join us. All are welcome.

Ash Wednesday

The Reformed Church of Saugerties will hold an Ash Wednesday service. This brief community wide worship marks the beginning of the Lent. The service will include the imposition of ashes as well as reflective music to set the tone of the season.

Reaffirmation of Vows

How do you say I love you to your spouse? Take part in a reaffirmation of vows ceremony in the sanctuary. We would especially like to invite anyone who was married in the church. This event was held February 16, 2014.

9-11 Service

The Reformed Church of Saugerties joined with the greater Ulster County community for the third annual service of peace and remembrance. This ecumenical service at Cantine Park in Saugerties remembered not only those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, but also those who lost their lives and their homes in the flooding in the Catskill Mountains.

The service was outside under the lights of the Teddy Lorenz Baseball field. Music was led by a combined choir and the service will include clergy from five denominations and ten churches that will be taking part.

Those attending took an active part in the evening through the lighting of hand held votive candles during a moment of remembrance. Children joined in as well by hanging origami cranes on a peace wall. The interfaith service was led musically by Bob Waldele and enlisted the talents of a wide cross section of gifted musicians and singers from throughout the Hudson Valley.

Those attending were encouraged to bring a lawn chair or a blanket; something comfortable to sit on, and be a voice for the promotion of world peace.