A visitor told us one Sunday that worship at Southminster Presbyterian Church is a nice mixture of the old and the new. For people with a history in the Church, there are elements of the worship service they have long known and appreciated. For people new to Christianity, the service makes sense and includes elements they will recognize from the music and language of contemporary culture. That is a good description of what we do each Sunday.
We worship because Christians are called to offer praise and thanks to God for all the good things we enjoy and because sometimes things are tough and we need to call on God for help and hear a sermon that provides direction as we move along the path that is faithful living and a source of hope.
As worshippers come through the front double doors and down the hall into the circular narthex they are greeted by several people. Some are assigned that task as a ministry of hospitality but most greet friends and strangers because they are loving and outgoing people. Double doors lead into the sanctuary. Straight ahead, over the large communion table and over the pulpit hangs a hand-made cross. Through the cross, out the clear windows, are the limbs and leaves of the forest beyond—God's creation. Gathered already is a multi-generational, multi-ethnic congregation of worshipers.
Church musician, Pamela Hudson, begins to play. As the happy sound of greeting quiets with the music it is clear that God is present. The service begins with a welcome from the pastor, who introduces the pulpit assistant from the congregation who leads the majority of the service. From the rich tradition and experience of the Church there are hymns (old and new), prayers, the assurance of Christ’s forgiveness, and an opportunity to greet neighbors there in the pew in the name of our Lord.
We take our responsibility to children seriously. Every Sunday there is a special time of recognition and teaching for children as part of the regular order of worship. Children are dismissed as the congregation sings a blessing for them. They have their own Children’s Church while the adults continue in the sanctuary.
Together we turn to hear God’s word for us. Our choir or one of our gifted soloists or groups sings, Scripture is read, and a Bible-based sermon follows. We earnestly believe that worship changes peoples’ lives so we provide a time to affirm the faith. Part of affirming our faith is demonstrating our love of God through personal stewardship. A prayer time follows in which both pastor and people pray. On the first Sunday of the month, all baptized worshippers partake of the Lord's Supper. After the final hymn and benediction, the pre-worship noise resumes with opportunities to meet the pastor and others.
On some Sunday’s we go down to the fellowship hall for dinner together. On other Sundays the “Lunch Bunch” goes to a local restaurant for food and fellowship. Everyone is welcome at either event.
If you want to know more about our worship, we have a brochure available for pick-up at the building or we’ll mail it to you. Please use the contact information on the home page to reach Southminster Presbyterian Church.
Prayer services at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month
Prayer is central to our life as a congregation. On the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month we gather in the sanctuary with members of the Church of the Holy Trinity, one of the other congregations resident in the Southminster building) for a time of prayer and Scripture reading. We are formed by what we do. Prayer, in many forms, in community is one of those things we do to thank God and to listen for God’s word for us. At times we move this service to other locations in the community to meet the needs of the participants. Please call or e-mail the church to find out where the service will be held this time.
Adult Sunday School Southminster’s adult Sunday School class meets at 9:30 am, prior to worship.
Children's Church Children’s Church meets after the children’s sermon during the 11:00 worship each week.
