Worship Services
At First Presbyterian Church we gather together in worship every Sunday at 11am. We welcome all to be our guests for our somewhat traditional worship accompanied by pipe organ, piano, occasional other instruments as well as youth leadership. Worship bags for children are available at the entrances to the sanctuary with activity sheets that fit the preaching. There is a Creative Table where all ages gather in engaged expression of the Word. We welcome children in worship so that they can absorb and learn the expressions of faith found in worship but we also provide a Nursery for children 2nd-grade and younger.
If you are unable to attend our worship in person, please join us virtually on Facebook Live, where you can also see previous worship services.
Prelude and Chiming of the Hour
The worship service begins by marking the transition from everyday life into a time of worship.
Welcome
The liturgist (a member of the church helping lead worship from the lectern) welcomes everyone to worship. This welcome is extended to everyone, those who have been with us a long time, those who are joining us for the first time, and everything in between.
Call to Worship
Drawing on the various Scriptures for the day and the church season, this responsive litany is led by the liturgist and calls everyone gathered in the church to worship God. The liturgist and congregation alternate reading lines as designated in the bulletin.
Hymns
The congregation joins in singing hymns, often from Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal which is located in each pew rack. The bulletin provides the hymn number and title. An * indicates rising in body or spirit to join together in singing to worship God. Hymns are typically sung at the opening, before the sermon and at closing.
Call to Confession
In the Presbyterian Church, we are aware of our inability to follow God, often called sin. In the Call to Confession we are invited to confess before God how we fall down, in ways little and large, each day. This invitation is extended in light of the confidence that we have in God’s grace and mercy expressed in Jesus Christ.
Prayer of Confession
After a short period of silent confession, the congregation joins together in the prayer of confession printed in the bulletin. This expresses, both individually and as a community, how we have failed to live as God intends.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Our confession is followed by the assurance that God’s grace is final and that we are forgiven. Our alienation from God is overcome by God’s love and grace, which unites us to God and one another.
Passing of the Peace
Following his resurrection, Jesus proclaimed to the disciples: “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19) As disciples of Jesus in the 21st century, we recognize that we have received peace from Jesus and are called to share it in the world. The liturgist declares: “The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” to which the congregation responds: “And also with you.” The congregation may stand and greet one another saying “The peace of Christ be with you” or simply “Peace be with you.” Sharing of peace may come anywhere in the worship or, at times, not at all (trusting the "peace beyond understanding" that is everywhere).
Choral Anthem
The Word
Time with Young People
The proclamation of the Word begins with inviting the young people forward to help with the message. Sometimes this is reading Scripture with a brief, accessible interpretation and asking young folks what they see. Or Scripture may be acted out. Other times a related story is read. We welcome children in worship so that they can absorb and learn the expressions of faith found in worship but we also provide a Nursery for children 2nd-grade and younger. After Time with Young Folks might be a good time for family to take children to the Nursery.
Prayer of Illumination
A prayer is offered before the reading and preaching of the Word asking for God to work through the proclaiming and hearing of the Word.
Scripture Reading
We believe that the Bible is, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ. The Bible guides our worship as it reveals to us the nature and character of God. We do not worship the Bible, but God alone. The Bible guides us in our relationship with God and each other. We often read multiple passages from the Bible each service.
Sermon
With one foot planted in Scripture and the other grounded in the world in which we live, the sermons work to unpack the connection between Scripture, faith, and how we follow the way of Jesus everyday.
Responding to the Word
Affirmation of Faith
Using one of the creeds and confessions of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the congregation declares together what we believe. The Presbyterian Church (USA) has 12 creeds and confessions from the history of the church which provide the theological foundation of our beliefs and practices. These include:
The Nicene Creed
The Apostles’ Creed
The Scots Confession
The Heidelberg Catechism
The Second Helvetic Confession
The Westminster Confession of Faith
The Shorter Catechism
The Longer Catechism
The Theological Declaration of Barmen
The Confession of 1967
The Belhar Confession
A Brief Statement of Faith – Presbyterian Church (USA)
See here for more information about why we “Confess” our faith.
Prayers of the People
As part of our worship, we pray for God's world. We pray for: the ministry and mission of the church; care for creation; peace and justice in the world; the leaders and people of all nations; the poor, hungry, and oppressed; compassion and reconciliation in our local community; healing and wholeness for all who suffer; and other special needs.
The Lord’s Prayer
The prayer of the people concludes with the Lord’s Prayer as Jesus taught his disciples. The version we use is:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Baptism
Baptism is one of the two sacraments of the Presbyterian Church (USA). It is the method of signing and sealing a person into the community of faith. Recognizing baptism as the promise of God to us, we baptize people of all ages, including infants. The practice of baptism is rooted in Jesus’ own baptism by John the Baptist and the instruction of Jesus to his disciples to baptize people into the faith.
Communion
Communion is one of the two sacraments of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Also known as Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper, it is the sign and seal of our communion with the crucified and risen Jesus Christ. On the night before his death, Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples in which he shared bread and wine, which he spoke of as his body and blood, signs of the new covenant. When we gather at Communion, the Holy Spirit unites us with Christ and the community of faith the church. All are welcome at this table regardless of age or understanding.
We typically serve Communion by having the congregation come forward with hands cupped to receive a piece of bread before taking a small cup of juice which may be eaten upon returning to be seated. We celebrate Communion the first Sunday of every month and on special occasions such as Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, and Easter.
Invitation to Offering
We believe that the Christian life is the offering of ourselves to God. During the offering, we are invited to return to God a portion of God has provided for the ministry of the church. Scripture reminds us that an acceptable offering to God is a broken heart, so open-hearted offerings are welcome.
Offertory
While the offering is collected by the ushers, a musical offering is presented either instrumentally or as a sung offering.
Doxology
The congregation joins together in singing the doxology, a specific song of praise to God. This doxology is called “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” and is printed in the bulletin: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Sending
Charge and Benediction
The worship service concludes with a charge for the church to go forth as agents of God’s mission in the world. The benediction is a blessing upon the church as an expression of God’s grace.
Congregational Response Hymn
Following the Charge and Benediction, the congregation joins in singing a short response, usually printed in the bulletin.
Postlude
The worship service concludes with a few minutes of organ music. As the prelude prepares people to leave the world to enter into worship, the postlude musically prepares people to leave worship and enter into the world.
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Music Ministry
Choir
First Presbyterian Church has a talented and committed choir. Directed by Elizabeth Day Arnoult and accompanied by Keyboardist Fonda Mann, the choir sings a variety of choral music in worship. The choral anthem connects to the message and is always a way the congregation anticipates the presence of the Spirit! The choir sings in worship from mid-August through May, taking a break during the summer. During the summer, soloists from the congregation and the community are invited to share their talents in worship. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. If you are interested in joining the choir, please be sure to talk to Day!
Instrumental Music
Part of our making a joyful noise to God in worship (Psalm 100), is instrumental music. We are fortunate that our organist and keyboardist are both accomplished musicians. Additionally, members of the congregation and the community are invited throughout the year to share their musical talents in worship.