Welcome to Guilford Park Presbyterian Church
Celebrating Christ with open minds, loving hearts, and serving hands.
We believe that we strengthen the body of Christ by embracing diversity,
working for justice, and serving our neighbors.
We have suspended all in-person church activities and closed the church office until further notice. We will continue to monitor church email and phone numbers, so please call the office at (336) 288-5452 or email the office with pastoral care needs or other assistance. We will update the congregation and this notice when plans change.
All are welcome!
These are normal worship hours. All services, meetings, and classes are currently canceled.
9 a.m. Contemporary service 10 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 11:00 a.m. Traditional worship |
Sunday school |
Past sermons availableLiked a sermon? Missed a sermon? Want to share a sermon? Find it in the archives in print and/or audio.
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Read the latest below about our Plan Ahead Team's Response to COVID-19 returning to worship
Please watch this introductory video from Dr. David Cage our new Interim Pastor. His ministry begins July 1st.
Please follow along with the music and verses for Sunday in attached bulletin
Anthem Panis Angelicus Arr: César Franck
Breanna Schaeffer; mezzo-soprano, Bill Allred; violin, Joyce Kemmerer; piano
Heavenly bread That becomes the bread for all mankind; Bread from the angelic host That is the end of all imaginings; Oh, miraculous thing! This body of God will nourish Even the poorest, The most humble of servants.
Breanna Schaeffer; mezzo-soprano, Bill Allred; violin, Joyce Kemmerer; piano
Heavenly bread That becomes the bread for all mankind; Bread from the angelic host That is the end of all imaginings; Oh, miraculous thing! This body of God will nourish Even the poorest, The most humble of servants.
Today's scripture passages 1st John 1:1-2:2
Worship Service for Sunday July 5th 2020 - "Learning to Dance"
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A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR
JULY 2, 2020
Dear Members and Friends of GPPC,
I am here and (sort of) settled into my office and apartment in Greensboro. As I mentioned in my July Guidepost article, I can’t wait to meet each one of you. Your patience would be appreciated as I work with others to set up times, places, and methods for that to occur. There are a few details to iron out to ensure everyone’s health and safety, but please rest assured that meeting you and knowing you is one of my highest priorities.
As I write this weekly eNews message, I am hours away from recording my first sermon, “Learning to Dance.” This is a sermon I wrote years ago, and I often use it as my introductory sermon to a new congregation. I think it says something about my view of the life of Christian faith. The sermon is based on 1st John 1:1-2:2, a passage that speaks of those who live their lives either in light or darkness. My sermon includes a wonderful short story I read years ago. It’s a humorous story about learning the dance of life in the light of God’s grace. In a sort of poetic way, it also describes my view of the life of Christian faith. Also, remember this is the first Sunday of the month, so it will be a communion Sunday. Don’t forget to have bread and wine or grape juice ready.
Often, when I come to a new church, everyone asks, “What can I do to help you get started here in our church?” Well, here’s what I need for you to do. Join us for our online worship this Sunday and hear my first sermon. If you are receiving this eNews, then you will receive the eNews invitation on Sunday morning to view the worship service. Also, please call anyone you know who may have drifted away from our church or simply is not in the habit of participating in online worship and encourage them to give it a try. Perhaps you might even mention it to friends and neighbors who have never been to our church. Tell them they can easily view our worship service here on our website: Your commitment, help, and support would be greatly appreciated.
Hopefully, by next week’s eNews I can remove the “sort of” settled and be fully settled into my office, and hopefully, soon we can meet face to face, whether in person or on Zoom. Either way, I look forward to meeting you.
In Christ’s Service,
David Cagle
Transitional Pastor
COVID-19 Funeral Policy for GPPC
The policy regarding funeral/memorial services at Guilford Park has been approved by the Session. For the moment, during this COVID-19 crisis, we will have graveside or Columbarium services only, with attendance by family members – currently 10 or fewer people. We will have community memorial services at a later date.
This policy seems to be consistent with the policies of local funeral homes, like Forbis/Dick and Hanes/Lineberry. They generally recommend either no visitation or limited visitation; graveside services with the family or in small groups; and live streaming services from the funeral home chapel, again noting the current 10 or fewer policy of the state.
I am here and (sort of) settled into my office and apartment in Greensboro. As I mentioned in my July Guidepost article, I can’t wait to meet each one of you. Your patience would be appreciated as I work with others to set up times, places, and methods for that to occur. There are a few details to iron out to ensure everyone’s health and safety, but please rest assured that meeting you and knowing you is one of my highest priorities.
As I write this weekly eNews message, I am hours away from recording my first sermon, “Learning to Dance.” This is a sermon I wrote years ago, and I often use it as my introductory sermon to a new congregation. I think it says something about my view of the life of Christian faith. The sermon is based on 1st John 1:1-2:2, a passage that speaks of those who live their lives either in light or darkness. My sermon includes a wonderful short story I read years ago. It’s a humorous story about learning the dance of life in the light of God’s grace. In a sort of poetic way, it also describes my view of the life of Christian faith. Also, remember this is the first Sunday of the month, so it will be a communion Sunday. Don’t forget to have bread and wine or grape juice ready.
Often, when I come to a new church, everyone asks, “What can I do to help you get started here in our church?” Well, here’s what I need for you to do. Join us for our online worship this Sunday and hear my first sermon. If you are receiving this eNews, then you will receive the eNews invitation on Sunday morning to view the worship service. Also, please call anyone you know who may have drifted away from our church or simply is not in the habit of participating in online worship and encourage them to give it a try. Perhaps you might even mention it to friends and neighbors who have never been to our church. Tell them they can easily view our worship service here on our website: Your commitment, help, and support would be greatly appreciated.
Hopefully, by next week’s eNews I can remove the “sort of” settled and be fully settled into my office, and hopefully, soon we can meet face to face, whether in person or on Zoom. Either way, I look forward to meeting you.
In Christ’s Service,
David Cagle
Transitional Pastor
COVID-19 Funeral Policy for GPPC
The policy regarding funeral/memorial services at Guilford Park has been approved by the Session. For the moment, during this COVID-19 crisis, we will have graveside or Columbarium services only, with attendance by family members – currently 10 or fewer people. We will have community memorial services at a later date.
This policy seems to be consistent with the policies of local funeral homes, like Forbis/Dick and Hanes/Lineberry. They generally recommend either no visitation or limited visitation; graveside services with the family or in small groups; and live streaming services from the funeral home chapel, again noting the current 10 or fewer policy of the state.
PLAN AHEAD TEAM REPORT
Worshiping In-Person
Returning to our sanctuary will be a sign to us that our long struggle with COVID-19 has entered a new stage. We will be together with our Transition Pastor, Dr. David Cagle, and begin to make our personal connections with him. It will not be a time like we have known in the past, however. As you know we will wear masks and will worship from specific locations in the pews. We will hold one service of worship each Sunday.
At the outset, we will worship mostly with the written and spoken word but no congregational singing. Hymns are an important part of corporate worship, however, so we will incorporate them in new and creative ways, including responsive readings of one verse, verses played or sung as we read silently, or meditation during a special instrumental arrangement. Yes, we will have our organ and our piano, occasional string and wind instruments, along with vocal solos. Choirs and congregational singing, for the time being, must be suspended. We will empty the pews of hymnals and other papers, but we will put bulletins on every seat. Families and couples will sit with one another but six feet from other worshipers.
Communion with one another will have to await safer times, as will passing the peace and socializing before and after worship. All these new ways to worship God together are a result of the Plan Ahead Team’s responsibility to keep us safe.
We expect attendance at these initial services of worship will be smaller than we are used to, as members who are over age 65, or those whose health makes them especially vulnerable to COVID-19 may choose to stay at home for a while. We will continue to provide online access to worship, and our worship leaders, Kim Row for children, Bill Allred, Brian Fitts, and Jordan Hart for music will return with us.
When will this altered worship begin? When your leaders can assure you that it is safe to worship together and no one will become sick because of in-person worship with God. We look forward to the day.
Returning to our sanctuary will be a sign to us that our long struggle with COVID-19 has entered a new stage. We will be together with our Transition Pastor, Dr. David Cagle, and begin to make our personal connections with him. It will not be a time like we have known in the past, however. As you know we will wear masks and will worship from specific locations in the pews. We will hold one service of worship each Sunday.
At the outset, we will worship mostly with the written and spoken word but no congregational singing. Hymns are an important part of corporate worship, however, so we will incorporate them in new and creative ways, including responsive readings of one verse, verses played or sung as we read silently, or meditation during a special instrumental arrangement. Yes, we will have our organ and our piano, occasional string and wind instruments, along with vocal solos. Choirs and congregational singing, for the time being, must be suspended. We will empty the pews of hymnals and other papers, but we will put bulletins on every seat. Families and couples will sit with one another but six feet from other worshipers.
Communion with one another will have to await safer times, as will passing the peace and socializing before and after worship. All these new ways to worship God together are a result of the Plan Ahead Team’s responsibility to keep us safe.
We expect attendance at these initial services of worship will be smaller than we are used to, as members who are over age 65, or those whose health makes them especially vulnerable to COVID-19 may choose to stay at home for a while. We will continue to provide online access to worship, and our worship leaders, Kim Row for children, Bill Allred, Brian Fitts, and Jordan Hart for music will return with us.
When will this altered worship begin? When your leaders can assure you that it is safe to worship together and no one will become sick because of in-person worship with God. We look forward to the day.
Some Church Staff's emails have been forged and made to look like they are coming from the actual person. Please do not click on any links or reply to any requests for money or gift cards. Church staff will never ask for money / gift cards via email. Should there be any questions please contact the church office.
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Mike Sasser in his support for Greensboro Urban Ministries
Mike Sasser with Isaiah Mickens and Sentellis Cooper at the Thursday mentoring group at Guilford Park Presbyterian Church. "I get so much from being with these young men". Read More |
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Welcome! Please use the following address in GPS to come straight to our Sanctuary doors:
2406 Fairfield Ave., Greensboro, NC (this is not our mailing address).
2406 Fairfield Ave., Greensboro, NC (this is not our mailing address).
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Guilford ParkPresbyterian Church is Certified as a national PCUSA Earth Care Congregation
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