Sunday
Worship Services at Idlewild are at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Both services
last approximately one hour. The prelude music, which begins about 10
minutes before the service, is intended to help worshippers prayerfully
prepare for worship. We have greeters who will welcome you and give
you a bulletin for the service, and are available to answer any questions.
The
bulletin you receive as you enter the worship space will tell you what
to expect. Some parts of our worship are participatory, and worshippers
stand at times. These are indicated in the bulletin so you may
follow along easily. To help you feel more at ease, below are notes
about certain times when the congregation take parts in the service.
Welcome
and Concerns of the Church At this time we welcome visitors and
make announcements about congregational concerns. It is our tradition
to pass a friendship roster to note those who are attending worship, both visitors and members. You do not have to sign the roster, but if you do, we like to extend
our welcome to first time visitors with a brief phone call during the
following week, and to answer any questions you might have.
Time
with the Younger Church During the last stanza of the Proclamation
Hymn, the children of the church (typically those ages 3-10)
are invited to come forward to the steps in the front of the church
to meet one of the ministers. If your children are hesitant to come
forward, feel free to come with them. During this portion of the service
the biblical story for the day is told to the children in language they
are able to understand, and a connection is made for the children between
the story and their lives. At the end of this gathering, the minister
will end with a prayer and invite the children to help lead the entire
congregation in the Lord’s Prayer. The words to the Lord’s
Prayer are:
Our
Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever.
Amen.
At
the end of the Time with the Younger Church, children ages 3-5 can go with volunteers to the Education Building for a time of education
and play. Older children return to their seats in the sanctuary. Read about C3 Extended Care in Children’s Ministries.
Sacrament of Baptism Often there is a baptism following the Proclamation Hymn, sometimes an infant and sometimes an adult. Presbyterians believe that God loves us and our children, and that parents and the faith community are to educate and support the child in such a way that she or he will always be aware of God’s love and acceptance. Baptism is a way of saying, "You belong!"
Passing
the Peace The congregation shares with one another words of peace,
saying together:
Leader:
The peace of Christ be with you.
People:
And also with you.
There
is time here also for the congregation to greet those around you with
appropriate words and gestures.
Presentation
of Gifts, Tithes and Offerings The presentation of offerings in
the Presbyterian tradition is seen as an act of grateful response to
God. Visitors should not feel obligated to contribute.
Doxology
This song is an offering of praise sung by the whole congregation.
The words are:
Praise
God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The
Things We Believe Each Sunday, the congregation is given an opportunity
to say together a portion of what we believe. The text for this segment
is typically taken from one of the creeds, or widely accepted statements
of faith, of the church.
ABOUT JOINING
THE CHURCH
Idlewild
Presbyterian Church gladly welcomes all candidates for membership. If
you are interested in joining the church, you may indicate this on the
Friendship Roster during Sunday morning worship and someone will call you; or, after the service, please see the minister standing by the piano in the front of the Sanctuary and inform him/her of your wish to join.
If you have questions or need further information, please contact membership secretary Jo Ann Acuff, jaacuff@idlewildchurch.org, or Casey Thompson, our Associate Pastor for Congregational Life, at 726-4681 or casey@idlewildchurch.org.
Whether
you are already a member of the Presbyterian denomination, coming from
another denomination, just moving to Memphis, or new to church life
altogether — you are warmly invited to become a part of the Idlewild
family of faith.
INQUIRERS CLASS
Inquirers is a four-week series for persons who want to know more about Idlewild Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian faith, or who may be considering membership. It runs two or three times a year. Topics include:
- What It Means to be Presbyterian
- What It Means to be a Member of Idlewild
- The History of Idlewild
- A Tour of Idlewild
For more information about Inquirers contact our Associate Pastor for Congregational Life, Casey Thompson, at 726-4681 or casey@idlewildchurch.org.
