Going to a Presbyterian Church for the first time

[MandoosetheGoose]

Hi everyone!

I am going to a Presbyterian church for the first time tomorrow. I was raised Roman Catholic but have experienced Lutheran and Anglican services as well.

What can I expect at a Presbyterian service? Will I be totally lost?

Thanks!

 

[AMR]

Expect something along these lines in a conservative Presbyterian (such as the PCA) worship service:

• Call to Worship (usually from the Psalms)
• Hymn (often from the Trinity Hymnal, Great Commission Publications, 1990)
• Invocation
• Old Testament lesson
• New Testament lesson
• Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon
• Hymn
• Offering and Doxology
• Pastoral Prayer
• Hymn
• Sermon
• Confession of Faith
• Hymn* [on the first Sunday of the month some observe the Lord's Supper]
• Benediction

Conservative Presbyterians usually follow the Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW). For more, see here:

The Regulative Principle in Worship

If you are attending a liberal Presbyterian church, such as the PC(USA), the services will likely vary widely.

AMR

 

[hedrick]

AMR's sample is pretty typical of PCUSA as well. Most churches don't have the congregation do anything odd, although now and then you'll find one that has the kiss of peace or something.

The congregation sings the hymns, joins the unison prayers, and says hello to their neighbors during the appropriate time (usually after the sermon around the offering). Kneeling is unusual. People don't typically make the sign of the cross, though there's nothing wrong with doing it. The program normally notes where you should stand (typically with an asterisk). There's nothing wrong with not standing if you'd prefer not to (or have physical issues with it).

Most congregations have communion between once a month and once a quarter. That changes the service after the sermon. While I've seen other modes, typically communion is passed around to worshippers in the pews by communion servers (who are traditionally elders or deacons -- remember that we have women and often youth, so that 15 year old girl serving you may actually be an elder). In the PCUSA the communion section is based on the Anaphora of Hippolytus (3rd Cent): Sursum Corda, some prayers, a couple of responses which may be either song or said. Bread is typically small cubes, and "wine" is typically grape juice. Some smaller churches gather around a table and use a common loaf. You're welcome to join communion in the PCUSA (probably not in AMR's church, however). Of course your church won't be happy if you do.

 

[Nova Scotian Boy]

Please feel free to let us know how your experience went.