Worship

Worship is the lifeblood of God’s church, the very center of the life of any congregation.  Not only is Sunday morning worship the time that everyone in the church is together weekly, but even more importantly, it is the time when we gather to renew and to be renewed in our relationship with God.   

Worship in the Presbyterian tradition is centered on the Word of God.  In worship God’s Word is read from Scripture, preached from the pulpit, and made visible in the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion.  God’s people gather to hear the Word, and depart to respond to the Word in their daily lives.   

Within that framework, a variety of styles and forms may be used to worship God.  At Highland, worshippers may attend a traditional service at 11:00 that includes the organ, our chancel choir, and familiar, traditional hymns. Or they may elect the more informal service at 8:45 a.m. that features the singing of contemporary “praise” music.  And yet while the two services seem different in style, we also seek to address “contemporary” concerns in our traditional service, and to make appropriate use of “tradition” in our informal service.  At both hours, God’s Word is read and preached, and God’s praise is sung. During the summer months of June, July and August, one “blended” service takes place at 10:00 a.m.

We celebrate communion on the first Sunday of every month.  Communion is also delivered four times a year to our shut-in members.  The Sacrament of Baptism is observed during Sunday morning worship as needed.

Special services of worship are held at important times during the church year, on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Thanksgiving Eve, and Christmas Eve.  We traditionally observe Thanksgiving Eve in ecumenical fashion, joining together with Emory United Methodist Church.