Summer 

May 1 through the last Sunday in October 2011

9:30 AM  

Praise Worship (contemporary) 11:00 AM

 Choir rehearsal 7:45 am

Winter 

November 7th, 2011 through the last Sunday in April, 2012

First Service 8:30 am      ---      Second Service 10:30 AM

Children's Church School 10:15 AM

Adult education 9:30 AM

Choir rehearsal 7:45 AM

The choir will be present for both services

You are cordially invited to come early and hear the choir in rehearsal

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What is Worship?

(from the publication, “Presbyterian beliefs”)

written by Anne Meredith Wilson

As Christians, Presbyterians believe that worship is praising and glorifying God.  We also believe that God acts mightily in worship in that the Holy Spirit moves in us for redemption, understanding, and power.  In worship we acknowledge God’s presence in the world and in our lives, we learn about God’s purpose for us, and we offer ourselves to the service of God in the world.

What do we use when we worship?  

Presbyterians believe that the worship service is based on the word of God as revealed through Scripture.  According to our constitution, a traditional worship service is made up of five major actions relating to the word of God.

Gathering around the Word….  

This is the beginning of the service, as people come together.  People may greet each other, announcements may be made or a time may be allowed for silent prayer in preparation for worship.  Through music and/or Scripture readings the people are called to worship God.

A hymn of praise and adoration usually follows.

Next, the people together confess the reality of sin in personal and corporate life.  They do this in the context of the gospel, that is, in the assurance of God’s mercy.  The declaration of pardon proclaims the gospel of what God has done in Jesus Christ.

Proclaiming the Word….  

First, the leader prays the prayer for illumination, asking that the Holy Spirit work in our hearts so that we truly hear God’s word.  Then the minister, a lay reader, or the entire congregation reads the Scripture lessons.  Special music may be included at this point, which should follow the theme of the Scripture lesson for the day.

    Following the Scripture readings, there is a proclamation, or interpretation of, the Scriptures.  Usually, the minister proclaims Scripture in a sermon, but other forms of interpretation such as drama or dance may also take place.

Responding to the Word….  

The people’s response to the proclamation of the Word is a statement of faith and commitment.  Often the people say together one of the historic statements of belief, such as the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, or a portion of the contemporary A Brief Statement of Faith.

     At this time in the service, special events in the lives of the people are recognized.  These include baptism, ordaining and installing church officers, acknowledging the work of church school teachers, celebrating reunions and saying good-bye, or remembering those who have died.

    Prayer is offered for the work of the church in the local community and the world, for peace and justice, for our secular leaders in the various levels of government, and for those with special needs, such as those who are sick or grieving or facing difficult decisions.  The prayers of the people usually end with the people saying the Lord’s Prayer together.

     After prayer, the people offer their gifts to God. All offerings, whether monetary or gifts of time and talents, are given freely to support and further the ministry of Christ through the church.

The sealing of the Word….  

God seals the promises of faith made to the community of faith, through the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  These sacraments are acts of Christian commitment.  In most Presbyterian churches, these sacraments are not celebrated at every worship service.  The Lord’s Supper, however, is celebrated on some regular schedule.  It might be as often as weekly, or perhaps just once a month or every other month.  Baptism is arranged when a person-an adult or parents on behalf of a child-requests it.  There are two sacraments in the Presbyterian Church:  Baptism and the lord’s Supper.  Each sacrament enacts the gospel.

Bearing and following the Word into the world….  

As the service ends, the people prepare to return to the world.  The congregation sings a final hymn, followed by a charge, or instruction, to go in the name of Christ and live as God would have us live.  Finally, the minister gives a benediction, or blessing.  A response may be spoken by the people or sung by the people or choir.

Is worship always the same?…  

Although there is no required order of worship, most Presbyterian worship services follow the general outline.  Special services may be different, and some churches may choose to vary the pattern.

     The focus of worship is God, not ourselves.  We are not at worship to be entertained or even “inspired,” although we may leave worship forgiven, renewed, and recommitted to living our lives before God in gratitude and service.