 |
         |
|
Special Services | |
|
Christmas Eve – Candlelight and Communion Service: One of the best attended worship services of the year, our Christmas Eve service celebrates the birth of Jesus through an abundance of music, together with traditional scripture readings, communion, and the concluding “Service of Light.”
Maundy Thursday - On the Thursday before Easter the congregation remembers the events that led to Jesus’ death on the cross, including his final supper with his disciples, then his arrest, trial and crucifixion.
Communion is “open” at Oak Ridge Presbyterian. One need not be a member to participate in the Lord’s Supper, celebrated on the first Sunday of each month and other special services during the year. As the pastor indicates each time, “All are invited to the Table of the Lord, for all are loved by God.” Children are also welcome to communion. In the same way that we would not refuse a child at a family meal, we do not require children to reach a certain age before they are welcome to be nourished by the Lord’s Supper. Communion education events are held for children and parents to assist families in their meaningful participation. Communion is celebrated by “intinction.” Participants, directed by the ushers, come to the communion table, where bread is offered from a common loaf and then dipped into a common cup by each worshipper. Gluten free crackers are available each time communion is celebrated for those with that need. Grape juice is served in the communion cup rather than wine.
In the Presbyterian Church the sacrament of baptism is administered once in a person’s life, marking his or her first entry into the church universal. We recognize any Christian baptism and do not re-baptize people when they wish to join our congregation. When parents wish to present children for baptism, they meet with the pastor to discuss the nature and meaning of baptism, and the promises that both they and the congregation make during baptism. Ordinarily one parent must be a member of the congregation to present a child for baptism. The baptism of adults, though not as frequent as the baptism of infants, is a welcome event in the life of a Presbyterian church. Those who have not been baptized and wish to make a public statement of their faith in Jesus Christ, first meet with the pastor and then baptism is scheduled for a Sunday morning. In the Presbyterian Church baptisms are never a private matter and so are rarely celebrated in a context other than a Sunday morning worship service.
Weddings are ordinarily conducted by our pastor for those who wish to be married at ORPC, though guest pastors are also welcome to participate. Those who desire to be married at ORPC should contact the pastor for an appointment. A wedding policy serves as a guide to the bride, groom, and pastor as they plan for this special day.
|
|