Worship Questions and Answers
Which service should I attend? Feel free to try each one to see which is a better fit for you.
8 am – An intimate, traditional service, less than an hour, quite popular with our senior members. About 80 people participate each week.
10:30 am – An uplifting service, blending traditional and contemporary elements, about an hour, quite popular with all age groups, includes choirs, Children’s Church, child care, and a children’s message. About 300 people attend each week.
If you have young children, you might prefer the 10:30 service. Cick here for more information about children and church.
The same sermon is offered at both services; the Lord’s Supper is offered at both services on the first Sunday of the month.
What should I wear? At Second Presbyterian, fashion is not the focus; faith is. But these days it’s hard to know what to wear anywhere. So here goes: on a typical Sunday, you’ll see people in everything from jeans to suit and tie. Formality is usually a function of age. Younger generations are used to a more casual standard of dress than older generations. In the Second Family, everyone is welcome, and we’d rather have you “come as you are” than not at all. So don’t sweat it. Just come.
What about the offering? Each week in the worship bulletin, this statement appears: “A Note to Our Visitors and Guests: Members and friends of the Second Family give as a response to their relationship with God and this congregation. Please do not feel obligated to give.” We really mean this; we consider your presence a gift to us and an offering to God. As you grow in faith, there will be plenty of opportunities to give and serve.
What kinds of music will I hear? Music is an “instrumental” part of worship at Second Pres. At both services you’ll hear a variety of classical and contemporary hymns, anthems, and instrumentals. We hope you’ll sing along or at least tap your feet. The 10:30 service incorporates our many choirs, including the Contemporary Ensemble, on a regular basis. Click here for a link to our Music Ministry.
What are the sermons like? Our pastors try to bring the Bible to life and apply it to everyday challenges and joys, like marriage, money-management, and preserving the environment. The best way to get a feel for their preaching is to check out a few of their sermons. Click here for our sermon archives.
Kids are an important part of the Second Family, and we know that they are important to you, too! Here are some tips for making your first worship experience with kids an outstanding one:
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Choose the “right” service for your family. The 8 am service is briefer, more traditional, and more intimate than the 10:30 service. Most families with young children prefer the 10:30 service, when there are several kid-friendly elements:
§ A special Children’s Message
§ Special music (for example, kids choirs and instrumentalists)
§ Worship activity bags for kids are available at both services.
Comfort counts with kids. Years ago parents forced their kids into tights and clip-on ties for worship; times have changed. Dress your kids in clothes that are comfortable for them and reflect their respect for God. Torturing them with stiff clothing that can’t get dirty only teaches them that worship is no fun.
Get them involved in the service. Sit close to the front so they can see all the action. If they are old enough to read, have them look up the scripture passages and the hymns in advance. Give them their own bulletin so that they can follow along by themselves. After worship ask them questions about what they saw, heard, and experienced.
Tell us that you’re coming. Of course, you can just show up, but if you call the church office ahead of time, we can be extra-ready to greet you and your child when you arrive. We want this to be an awesome experience for your whole family!
What do I do if my kids squirm? Don’t panic or be embarrassed. Most of the congregation has been in a similar situation; we understand! You can try to distract them or preoccupy them with an activity from the worship bag or some item that you’ve brought from home (Hint: if you bring these items out one by one, as needed, your child will be more impressed by them). And if you and your child need to leave the sanctuary to go for a walk (or use the bathroom), just leave and come back in the sanctuary when you can. Again, we understand. Some parents of young children actually prefer to sit in the lobby (narthex) during the service. Children have room to roam, sound from the service is piped in, and you can see everything through the glass doors.
What if my child cries? Again, don’t panic. We’ve heard it all before; there are lots of parents and grandparents in our congregation. Check out the hints above. The “comfort room,” located between the men’s and women’s rooms in the lobby, is ideal for breastfeeding. Both bathrooms have changing tables. The Nursery has extra changing supplies, toys, etc., if you need them.
What if I prefer to worship without my kids? Some parents simply can’t worship with one or more children tugging at them. If that’s you, we have a solution in mind. Come to the 10:30 am service. Kids five and under can be in the professionally staffed nursery the entire time; kids over five can attend Children’s Church (see description below).
What is Children's Church? Children’s Church meets every Sunday. This brief child-friendly worship service provides Kindergardners through 3rd graders the opportunity to worship God at their level. Kids sing, pray, make a project, and hear a Bible Story that they can relate to. On Communion Sundays, Children’s Worship begins at 10:30am; on other Sundays it begins immediately following the Children’s Message. We want your first worship experience to be a great one for both you and your child. Feel free to call ahead to tell us that you’re coming, and we’ll have someone ready to welcome you and show you and your child around.
What is the Children’s Message? It’s a special time in the service for kids through 3rd grade. During the sung response after the assurance of pardon, kids come forward to sit on the chancel steps. If your child prefers to remain with you, no problem. He or she can still go to Children’s Church immediately after the Children’s Message.
What about Kids and Communion? Children in the Second Family are welcome to receive communion, regardless of age, after they have been baptized and instructed in the meaning of the sacrament. Formal communion training is offered in Children’s Church at least annually. We leave it up to parents to determine whether they think their child is ready to participate. Until that time, children can still be a special part of the service. We suggest that as they pass the bread and cup to the next person, you offer a brief prayer for them, such as “Lord, bless this child and help them to grow in faith in every way.”