Worship and Celebration

Sunday Mornings 

Regular Sunday  Schedule

   8:30 Worship in the Chapel
  9:15 The Bridge Service in the Lower Level
  9:30 Adult Class
10:00 Children's Church School
10:00 Youth Sunday School
11:00 The Bridge Service in the Lower Level
11:00 Worship in the Sanctuary
12:00 Fresh 180 (Youth Fellowship)

Nursery care is available all morning!

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Choirs, Music & Drama

Melodia Choir

The Melodia Choir is for children in grades 1-3.  Children learn songs which tell Biblical stories, play rhythm instruments to enhance the energy and style of their music,  and participate in other activities which offer additional enjoyment.  The Melodia Choir sings for the 11:00 a.m. worship service during the school year.  Rehearsal is Wednesday afternoons, 5:00 - 5:25, September - April.

Jr. Chorale 

Jr. Chorale is for older elementary children in grades 4-6.  Children learn to sing in two part harmony, share in the playing of rhythm and musical instruments, and participate in other visual arts such as drama and sign language.  The Jr. Chorale sings for the 11:00 a.m. worship service during the school year. Rehearsal is Wednesday afternoons, 5:30 - 6:00, September - April.

Westminster Choir

The Westminster Choir is made up of youth in grades 7-12.  This choir meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Youth enjoy sharing in contemporary Christian songs, as well as participating in dramatic interpretations, choreography, and the playing of musical instruments in worship.  The Westminster Choir sings for the 11:00 a.m. worship service periodically during the school year.

Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir is for adults, ages 18 and older, who enjoy singing and sharing a growing and nurturing fellowship.  The Choir meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-8:30 p.m., and again on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. to prepare music for the 11:00 a.m. worship service.  The Choir enjoys singing a variety of musical styles and is blessed with a large musical library of exciting and meaningful anthems to share with our congregation. New members are encouraged to join the Chancel Choir at any time during the year.

Handbell Choir

Join us for a great adventure as we raise our bells in praise of God. Playing handbells is a joyful experience which involves reading simple rhythm, following a director and enjoying playing bells as a part of an instrumental ensemble.  We ring Wednesday evenings at 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Handbells is for youth(grades 7-12) and adults.

We hope to start a youth hand chime choir this fall, open to youth from 4th grade up.  If you or your children would be interested, please contact Celia Weiss.

 Other Worship Arts

Worship is enhanced by Dramatic Readings and other enactments of Biblical stories.  There is opportunity for a variety of participation from the reading of scripture to dramatic interpretations. 

Liturgical Dance is an art form which greatly contributes to visual arts in worship.  Many of our youth and older adults have had some experience in dance interpretation and expression. 

Sign Language is another way of communicating texts through the use of hand motions and is an art form that even the youngest can enjoy. 

Our church is blessed with a variety of persons who play Musical Instruments.  Members are encouraged to share their gifts in worship and other gatherings throughout the year. Instrumental ensembles are featured several times during the year in worship and on other occasions. 

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Special Services

Throughout the year, we have a variety of special worship services, including: 

Lent 

Special services during the season of Lent include Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday (including communion) and Good Friday.  (Follow the links to learn more about these church holidays.) 

Ash Wednesday:
Services at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel 

Maundy Thursday:
Service begins at 7:00 in the Lower Level.  We'll worship together and celebrate the Lord's Supper, as we recall Jesus' last night with his disciples.  Worship will conclude as we move into the Memorial Garden to raise the cross. 

Good Friday:
We host the Ministerial Association's Community Good Friday service at noon.

Spring/Summer

In the spring, we look forward to a special Youth Sunday, as we are led in worship by our own Jr. & Sr. Highs, in a service they plan. 

During June, we are always pleased to welcome musicians from the Elkhart City JazzFest to our play in worship that weekend.

In July, we hold an outdoor "Worship in the Park" at Island park - just across from our church, in the center of the beautiful St. Joe river.

 

Fall

World Communion Sunday is the First Sunday of October, as we celebrate with Christians around the world in sharing the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. World Communion Sunday: October 4, 2009

Advent (December) 

Traditional worship opportunities during Advent include our yearly Longest Night Service, a time for quiet reflection, lament and hope for those who need an opportunity to deal with the unique stress & grief that holiday seasons sometimes bring.

Christmas Eve Worship includes an early informal service with music from the Children's choirs, and a late Communion & Candlelight service. 
 

Service of Healing and Wholeness

Scheduled periodically throughout the year, we offer a Service of Healing and Wholeness.  This service is designed for all who are    suffering for whatever reason and who wish to experience the full and accepting love of God.  This is an intimate service, and includes confession and a time of remembering God's forgiveness, personal prayer requests, singing and an opportunity for personal prayer and anointing with oil in the name of Christ who heals.  Please call or e-mail for further information.

 "Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and  have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed."   James, chapter 5

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Weddings at First Presbyterian

We recognize that this is a special time in your life, and an occasions for worship and celebration.  Weddings are scheduled in consultation with one of the Pastors. Please contact us for more information. We would be glad to send you a wedding brochure with our policies, and to talk with about your questions. 

The Bridge

Celebrating the Sacraments

Communion

We share the Lord's Supper on the first Sunday of every month.  We practice open communion, and welcome to the Table all baptized Christians, regardless of church membership.

Baptism

Baptisms are scheduled throughout the year. We practice Infant Baptism, as well as baptism for believers.  Preparation classes are offered for parents in advance of each scheduled Baptism. 

Presbyterian 101: What Presbyterians believe about the Sacraments