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Sacraments, Rituals, & Special Services
Sacraments
During Sunday worship at Pres House, we celebrate two sacraments, which are the visible signs of an inward grace offered to us by God.
- The Lord’s Supper (Communion)
We celebrate the Lord’s Supper every Sunday during the school year. All are welcome to partake, as we believe the communion table is God’s table, and God turns no one away. - Baptism
We celebrate the sacrament of baptism as a sign and seal of becoming part of the body of Christ. If you have already been baptized in another church, you can reaffirm your baptism on Baptism Sunday at Pres House along with those who are being baptized. If you are interested in being baptized or reaffirming your baptism, fill out our baptism interest form.
Visit our Baptism page or reach out to one of the pastors to learn more.
Special Services
All Saints' Day
We observe All Saints’ Day by remembering not only well-known saints of the faith, but also any and all loved ones who have died. We light candles, offer prayers, and share stories about those who have gone before us.
All Saints’ Day is always observed on the first Sunday of November.
Advent
As a student worshiping community, our worship services generally follow the university calendar. This means our last worship service of the fall semester is typically on the third Sunday of Advent. We light Advent candles throughout the season; at our last service in the fall, we celebrate “Christmas Eve” with the singing of carols and lighting the remaining Advent candles.
Trans-figuration Sunday
Traditionally celebrated on the Sunday before Lent, Transfiguration Sunday commemorates Jesus’ mountaintop transfiguration. On this day at Pres House, we also celebrate the lives and witness of LGBTQ+ students — and particularly transgender students — who may likewise experience a “transfiguration.” Students in the Pres House community who have already changed — or wish to change — their given name can participate in a re-naming ritual on Trans-figuration Sunday; please reach out to a pastor if you are interested.
Lent
We mark the beginning of Lent with an evening Ash Wednesday service. Students who are unable to attend the evening service can receive the imposition of ashes during the day; please reach out to a pastor.
Holy Week
Sometimes, Holy Week overlaps with UW-Madison’s spring break. We will always gather for Palm Sunday and Easter worship at our usual time (Sunday, 4:30 pm), regardless of whether Holy Week overlaps with the spring break. We will also gather for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday if Holy Week does not overlap with the spring break.
Services of Lament
When distressing events happen in our community, Pres House gathers to grieve and pray. Recent services include prayer & conversation gatherings in the chapel after the 2024 presidential election, a service of grief and lament following a death on campus in 2023, and a prayer vigil responding to the verdict in Derek Chauvin’s trial in 2022.
Weddings
The pastors at Pres House are available to officiate local weddings for people who have been/are currently members of the Pres House worshiping community. If you are interested in being married at Pres House, please reach out to Mark Gordon, our office manager.