Worship

If you are unfamiliar with our church and would like to have an idea of what happens on a given Sunday, here is a description of:

A TYPICAL SERVICE AT GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

As everyone arrives and begins to find their seats, instrumental prelude music prepares our hearts to focus on the worship service. During this time, the pastor and worship team members meet together in prayer. At the start of the service, announcements are given, usually by the pastor.

The congregation then sings several worship songs, led by the worship team. Our church loves to sing! A beautiful blend of harmony can often be heard. The music is a balanced mix of contemporary choruses and traditional hymns. Often the hymns are “pepped up” slightly with a change in tempo or the addition of instruments. There are a number of gifted musicians who enjoy participating on various Sundays. We make use of piano, keyboard, guitar, bass, violin, trumpet, and percussion---tambourine, shakers, and congas. The various songs are connected by the worship leader with the reading of scripture and prayer.

The offering is then taken, while a new song is introduced or special music is shared. It is a delight to see a different person each week, children included, who take the opportunity to share their musical giftedness during this time.

Following the offering, there is often a brief Children’s Sermon, during which the children are invited to come up to the front and sit clustered on the steps for a short story or lesson by the pastor or a lay person. Activity folders are distributed for the kids to take back to their seats so that they may stay with their parents and participate in the remainder of the service. Approximately twice a month, the children are invited downstairs for their own “Children’s Church.” Kids from age 3 through 5th grade are led in a Bible lesson, activities and children’s songs. A nursery is available for our littlest ones, though babies are welcome to stay with their parents if that is preferred. At present, we do not have Sunday School prior to the worship service during the summer months, but rather provide Children’s Church on most Sundays.

As the main service continues, the pastor will begin by reading the Bible passage from which he will deliver his message. The sermon typically teaches the application of that passage for our lives today, and the pastor usually speaks for about twenty minutes or so.

Once a month, on the first Sunday, the pastor serves communion following the sermon. Everyone who believes in Jesus as their Savior is welcome to partake of communion with us. There is often special music shared while the trays of bread and grape juice are passed down the rows. We often conclude this time with acapella singing.

One final hymn is sung at the end of the service, and the pastor then dismisses the congregation with a short prayer or scriptural blessing. Once a month, a casual time of fellowship follows the service. Coffee, juice and snacks are served to give everyone the opportunity to stay a bit if they would like to visit for a few extra minutes.