Communion is offered some eight times during the year, and all professing Christians are welcome to participate.
Several times during the year, a Lovefeast is held. This is when the worshiper is served a mug of coffee and a sweet bun. The lovefeast dates back to 1727 when the early Moravians were befriended by Count Nicholas Von Zinzendorf on his estate in Saxony. At that time, they enjoyed a simple meal, and therefore the tradition has continued for almost 300 years.
At the Christmas Lovefeasts, each attendee is given a beeswax candle trimmed with red paper. Worshipers are invited to lift their candle on the last verse of the hymn “Christ the Lord, the Lord Most Glorious” as a sign of their love of God and in re-dedication to Christian living. I must mention the 27 point Advent Star. The star has become a focal point of the church and many homes in the community. One of the largest is on top of the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and can be clearly seen from Interstate 40 as people pass through Winston Salem.
On Easter Sunday, the congregation gathers on the front lawn of the church, just before dawn, for a sunrise service. As the sun begins to appear on the horizon, the pastor proclaims “The Lord is risen,” and the congregation responds “The Lord is risen indeed.” After several more lines of the liturgy, the band leads the congregation to the side yard of the church and the service is concluded in “God’s Acre,” – the burial grounds of the church.
During the fall months, the congregation enjoys gathering around a campfire and singing familiar songs.
