What to Expect
Our worship services are conservative by modern American standards; some may describe them as “traditional.” We elevate praising God over entertaining ourselves, and our worship reflects that.
When you arrive, we’ll greet you. The greeters or usher will answer any questions you have. When you’re ready to be seated, an usher will seat you in our sanctuary. After worship, we invite you to join us for casual conversation. Below are more details about how we worship.
Duration
Services usually last about an hour and a half, with the sermon being about 45 minutes. For more, see Why so long?
Dress
Members dress formally out of reverence. Visitors are encouraged, but not required, to also dress formally. Men usually wear polos, button-down shirts (with or without ties), or suits. Most women wear dresses or skirts, and a few wear dress pants.
Nursery
Nursery is provided for children under age 3.
Singing
We sing from The Psalter, a version of the 1912 Psalter of the United Presbyterian Church that has been modified for the Protestant Reformed Churches. We sing hymns in special programs a few times per year as a congregation. Our choir also sings hymns for special programs, but not during worship services.
For more, see Why is there no time given to special music or other special ministry during the worship service? and Why do you sing versifications of the Psalms rather than hymns?
Bible Version
We use the King James Version in worship and Bible studies, but other versions may be used by members and visitors.
Order of Worship
This is the order of worship we follow for each of our Sunday services (morning and evening). This is printed on the back of our bulletin, along with the words to the doxologies and Apostles’ Creed.
- Organ Prelude
- Call to Worship
- Silent Prayer
- Opening Doxology
- Votum and Salutation
- Congregational Singing
- Reading of the Law (morning service)
- Apostles’ Creed (in unison) (evening service)
- Congregational Singing
- Congregational Prayer
- Offertory (collection)
- Congregational Singing
- Scripture Reading
- Sermon
- Prayer
- Congregational Singing
- Closing Doxology
- Benediction
- Organ Postlude
Close Communion
We practice close communion (not closed communion), meaning that all participants in the Lord’s Supper must be either confessing members of our congregation, or visitors who have been granted permission by the Consistory. If you’ll be visiting for a Lord’s Supper service, please contact us ahead of time, or stop by the Consistory Room a few minutes prior to the service.
More Information
To learn more, see Questions about the worship services in the Protestant Reformed Churches. If you have questions, please ask.