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9am    Contemporary Worship Service in the Sanctuary

11:00am    Traditional Worship Service in the Sanctuary

1:30 pm   Congolese Worship Service in the Fellowship Hall

Worship

As God's people, created in God's image and saved by God's grace, worship is our highest priority and our greatest joy! Jesus reminds us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22.37). Worship is what we were made for, and God is the One whom we were made to worship!

Our Presbyterian constitution speaks of worship this way: "Christian worship joyfully ascribes all praise and honor, glory and power to the triune God. In worship the people of God acknowledge God present in the world and in their lives. As they respond to God’s claim and redemptive action in Jesus Christ, believers are transformed and renewed. In worship the faithful offer themselves to God and are equipped for God’s service in the world." (Book of Order W-1.000).

Worship is focused on adoring and surrendering to God as we come into God's presence. Worship is not something to be endured, but something to be enjoyed, for in the Lord's presence there is fullness of joy and freedom (Psalm 16.11, 2 Cor. 3.17)! We are careful not to confuse the form of worship with the substance of worship. We gather around God's Word, hear the Word read and proclaimed, and respond to the Word in a variety of ways. As we do so, we are united as Christ's body, healed and forgiven as Christ's people, and equipped to do Christ's work in the world. We'd love for you to join us!

9am & 11:00 am Worship                         

We gather to worship God every Sunday morning at 9:00am (our contemporary "EPIC" service) and 11:00am (our more traditional service). At both services we enter into worship with praise and confession; we continue with scripture readings and preaching; and we conclude by responding to the Good News with service, prayer, and celebrating the sacraments.

Special worship services are held throughout the year, including (but not limited to) a Maundy Thursday Communion service, Good Friday service, Youth Sunday, Ecumenical Thanksgiving service, Christmas Joy service, and two Christmas Eve services.

Congolese Worship                         

St. Giles was approached by Pastor Patrice Kebi, along with our member, Rev. Dr. John Peter Mukendi, about the possibility of providing worship space for a developing congregation of Congolese Presbyterians who need space for worship and fellowship. As we talked and listened to one another, it seemed that God might be leading us to experiment with something like a multi-cultural ministry.  We and the Congolese are excited about partnering in this endeavor to see where God might be leading us, with the hope that we will sometimes be able to worship together, fellowship together, learn together, and serve together.

The folks from Congo will normally be worshiping on Sunday afternoons from about 1:30 - 3:30. On any given Sunday all are welcome to attend one another’s worship services, and on several occasions we hope to be worshiping together. This could go in a number of directions, including the possibility of the establishment of an additional Presbyterian Church, if that seems to be God’s will.

We covet the congregation’s prayers and mutual cooperation as we seek to glorify God together.

Our Presbyterian constitution describes Sacraments as "signs of the real presence and power of Christ in the Church, symbols of God’s action. Through the Sacraments, God seals believers in redemption, renews their identity as the people of God, and marks them for service" (Book of Order W-1.3033). God, who became incarnate (literally, "in the flesh") in Jesus of Nazareth, continues to communicate grace to us in incarnate ways: bread, juice/wine, and water. They are places where the Lord promises to meet us. God's grace is very down-to-earth!

The sacrament of Baptism for children or adults is celebrated by request.

Again, our constitution says, "Baptism enacts and seals what the Word proclaims: God’s redeeming grace offered to all people. Baptism is God’s gift of grace and also God’s summons to respond to that grace. Baptism calls to repentance, to faithfulness, and to discipleship. Baptism gives the church its identity and commissions the church for ministry to the world.

God’s faithfulness signified in Baptism is constant and sure, even when human faithfulness to God is not. Baptism is received only once. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to the moment when it is administered, for Baptism signifies the beginning of life in Christ, not its completion. God’s grace works steadily, calling to repentance and newness of life. God’s faithfulness needs no renewal; human faithfulness to God needs repeated renewal, which is why we are frequently encouraged to remember our baptism and its meaning. Baptism calls for decision at every subsequent stage of life’s way, both for those whose Baptism attends their profession of faith and for those who are nurtured from childhood within the family of faith.

The Baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God’s love claims people before they are able to respond in faith; Baptism of those who enter the covenant upon their own profession of faith witnesses to the truth that God’s gift of grace calls for fulfillment in a response of faithfulness.

As there is one body, there is one Baptism. (Eph. 4:4-6) The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recognizes all Baptisms with water in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit administered by other Christian Churches." (Book of Order W-2.3006 - 2.3009).

The Lord's supper connects us to God and God's salvation: past, present, and future. It connects us to Israel's sacred meal of the Passover, reminding us of God's limitless ability to bring freedom out of slavery. It connects us with Jesus here and now in sharing a meal with him, just as he shared a meal with his disciples before his great sacrifice out of love for us. It connects us with the whole Church of Jesus Christ around the world, reminding us that we're not alone. And it connects us with the great wedding banquet being prepared for all God's people at the consummation of all things, pointing us to an eternity of joy in God's presence.

Our constitution reminds us that "The Lord’s Supper is the sign and seal of eating and drinking in communion with the crucified and risen Lord. During his earthly ministry Jesus shared meals with his followers as a sign of community and acceptance and as an occasion for his own ministry. He celebrated Israel’s feasts of covenant commemoration.

Around the Table of the Lord, God’s people are in communication with Christ and with all who belong to Christ. Reconciliation with Christ compels reconciliation with one another. All the baptized faithful are welcomed to the Table, and none are excluded because of race, sex, age, economic status, handicapping condition, difference of culture or language, or any barrier created by human injustice." (Book of Order W-2.4000 & 2.4006)

The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated on the first Sunday of every month. It is also celebrated on Maundy Thursday, and at the late Christmas Eve service, among other times.

Provide flowers for the Sanctuary

Help the Pastors lead Worship

Participate in one of our choirs, in the EPIC Praise Band,

or by sharing an artistic offering--including drama or dance

(see Music for added information)

Prepare the Sanctuary for Sunday Worship