Worship

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Worship – 10:00am

Worship on Sunday morning is the focal point of the day to day life of our congregation, as we gather to praise the One in whom we live and move and have our being. What a joy it is to worship, through prayer—spoken, sung, and played, through the hearing of the Word both read and proclaimed, through the celebration of the Sacraments, through the offering of spiritual and material gifts, and by relating to each other and the world, all in witness to the risen Lord.

Worship also incorporates the musical gifts of our community, centered on vibrant congregational hymn singing and highlighted by our sanctuary choir, bell choirs, and other special instrumental and vocal music. Usually worship takes about an hour; sometimes it’s a little shorter, sometimes a little longer. Each time we gather, though, we seek to encounter the one Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Please join us at 10:00am on Sundays. Some of us dress up a bit, some are comfortable in jeans and a sweatshirt. We just want everyone who walks through the door to meet the Lord in worship. All are welcome, whether you have been to church every Sunday of your life, haven’t been in a long time, or have never been. We want to share with you the refreshing freedom of the good news of Jesus Christ.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

When is church?

Sunday Worship begins at 10am, and is followed by a fellowship time with coffee and lemonade. 

How formal is the service?

Our worship is best described as a traditional, but informal service. We follow a predictable format, we sing both hymns and more contemporary music, we have both pre-written prayers and informal prayer time, and we read from a variety of bible translations. 

What should I wear? 

 Our service is casual and comfortable. Many choose to wear what’s most comfortable to them: jeans, t-shirts, shorts, etc. Some choose to dress up. Whatever you wear, you won’t be out of place here–we have no dress code and no assigned seats. Come as you are and sit where you like. 

How will I know what to do in the service?

 When you arrive, our greeting team will welcome you and give you a bulletin, which contains the service order for the day.

Most of the time, we give pretty clear directions when to stand and sit. Our services usually include some prayers that we say together, and some call-and-response portions, too. In all of those circumstances, the part said by the pastor or the liturgist (reader) is printed in normal text, and the congregational response is in bold type.

At the end of the Prayers of the People, the pastor leads us into the Lord’s Prayer, which is also printed in the bulletin each week.  Presbyterians typically say “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”  But, if you grew up saying “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” or “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us,” say either one.  Pray as you are comfortable.

Is there anything I’m not supposed to do, or any part of the service I shouldn’t participate in if I’m not Presbyterian?

There is nothing that happens during a worship service that visitors are not welcome to do with us.  In fact, we hope you will join us in every aspect! We hope you’ll sing with us, pray with us, laugh with us – and after the service – eat with us.

A lot of times, this question comes up because some churches limit participation in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper (also called Communion or The Eucharist).  At Parkwood, we celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of every month. We truly believe this supper belongs to Christ, and therefore absolutely everyone is welcome to participate as they feel comfortable. The opportunity to eat and drink with Christ is not a right bestowed upon the worthy, but a privilege given to all who come in faith and love. 

Is childcare available? Is my child welcome in worship?

We are a community that loves the presence of children and youth in our church.  We welcome children of all ages, including infants and toddlers – and the joyful noises they make to the Lord – in the pews.

We also have a Nursery room available, fully equipped with audio, a changing table, and plenty of toys and books if parents need a quieter space for their little ones.

Are you accessible to the physically disabled?

Yes, our entire facility is accessible for those with disabilities. There are no stairs anywhere in the building, and we have accessible stalls in every bathroom. We also have a family restroom located inside the library/nursery, which has a seat riser for those who may need it. Accessible parking (HC) is located at the front of the parking lot. Because we have chairs in the sanctuary, not pews, those using wheelchairs or other assistive devices can choose to sit anywhere in the sanctuary. 

What are church seasons, and why do we celebrate them? 

The church calendar has developed over many centuries since the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ–and it is designed to help us remember that he is the center of our faith. We begin with Advent and Christmas – Advent is a four-week season that helps us get ready for the birth of Christ. We also celebrate Lent, the 40-day season of getting ready for Holy Week and Easter that mirrors Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness. Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit. There are many smaller celebrations, too, each marking an important event in Jesus’ life or the life of the church. The worldwide church assigns colors to these seasons and celebrations because we know that visual, tangible reminders are good for us! 

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