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Elijah P. Lovejoy

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Celebration of Worship

"ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness"
1 Chronicles 16:29

Sunday School
8:45 am

Sunday Worship Service
10:00 am
Nursery Care Provided

Coffee Hour
11:00 am

Communion Schedule | Sunday Bulletin | Flowers | Coffee Hour | Weddings | Baptism

Our Congregation at Worship
Sunday morning worship, with its challenging preaching and inspiring music, is the high point of College Avenue Presbyterian Church week. The service is usually based on the lectionary and is traditional Presbyterian, but with significant changes toward variety and informality. For example, the congregation returns the pastor's "Good Morning", sermons are sometimes delivered at pew level, and worshippers are invited to express concerns or joys before the intercessory prayer. The focus of our worship is preaching the Word with emphasis on spiritual and intellectual growth within, and love, service and justice in the world. CD recordings (coming soon) of the service and printed transcripts of the sermons are available by contacting the church office (618-465-8861). As a new feature, click here (coming soon) to stream the entire worship service from our website.

Music during worship is highly professional and varied, from majestic anthems to spirituals, accompanied by our Organ or the piano, with occasional extra instrumentalists. One of the Bible readings is normally led by a lay person, sometimes a youth. Communion is served traditionally or by intinction, using grape juice, and bread.

Children have a place in our worship services. Older youth participate through reading a Bible lesson, and serving as acolytes or ushers. Every service includes a Children's Greeting and then those up through second grade are invited to leave the service just before the sermon for a separate "enrichment" program. A nursery is provided for infants through 3 years old during the service.

All of the worship styles at College Avenue Presbyterian Church are enriched by our dynamic music ministry under the direction of Mrs. Lanita Sims our Choir Director. The Chancel Choir is comprised of 24 to 28 singers, Instrumental soloists (occasionally choir members) frequently enhance the worship service. The congregation clearly responds to music with enthusiastic hymn singing.