What to Expect
Our congregation has about 450 members, and on most Sundays you’ll see around 220 folks in worship (fewer in the summer and a lot more at Christmas and Easter!). Our church is large enough to offer many excellent programs and opportunities for all ages, but small enough for people actually to learn your name and you to learn theirs.
There are two worship services on Sundays, a 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Service and an 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service. The 9:00 a.m. service usually lasts about 50 minutes (a little longer when there is Holy Communion or a baptism). The Contemporary Service also features the YES (Year-round Early Service) Choir and band. Conducted by Brian Fitts, this volunteer group helps lead congregational singing, and it offers praise to God with anthems from various musical genres, e.g., rock, blues, jazz, and African American gospel. The emphasis is on worshiping God, not providing entertainment.
The 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service usually lasts about an hour (a little longer when there is Holy Communion or a baptism). This service features our Chancel Choir (a volunteer group with a couple of paid soloists) led by music director and organist, Bill Allred, who also conducts our bell choirs and children’s choir. The music at this service is usually classical, and occasionally you may even hear strings or brass.
Sermons are typically brief (15 minutes or less) and are meant to comfort and challenge, make you think (and sometimes laugh), all in the service of helping your faith in our loving God to grow.
During the school year, Sunday School for all ages is offered at 10:00 a.m. There are various adult classes to choose from, and the curriculum for the children is age-appropriate. Professional childcare for infants and toddlers is available 8:45 a.m.-noon on Sundays.
Worshipers at both services are young, old, and middle-aged. Some people dress casually, others more formally. Nobody is really concerned about what you wear. We’re simply glad you’re here.
The church is theologically and politically diverse. No need to leave your brain at the door--we graciously discuss the great issues of our day and we respect various viewpoints. We believe being Christian means being carefully informed about what’s happening in the world and then applying our faith with head and heart. Come and join us on this exciting journey of faith.
Special Services
A Presbyterian funeral or a Service of Witness to the Resurrection is first and foremost a worship service. Although the worship service should comfort those who mourn, we come primarily to recall our profound gladness and joy in Christ, our living Lord, emphasizing life lived in trust and service to God. Within the Christian faith, we offer God both praise and thanksgiving for the hope of eternal life we know in Jesus Christ and for the life of the deceased. Please read the guidelines about this service.
The first step in planning a wedding at Guilford Park Church is to make an appointment with one of the pastors. This should be done at least six months in advance of your anticipated wedding date, and preferably even earlier. The purpose of this meeting is to ensure that the plans for the wedding are compatible with the church's understanding of marriage. Until this initial meeting has been completed, no firm commitments will be made concerning the use of the church. Please read the guidelines about this service.
There are two worship services on Sundays, a 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Service and an 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service. The 9:00 a.m. service usually lasts about 50 minutes (a little longer when there is Holy Communion or a baptism). The Contemporary Service also features the YES (Year-round Early Service) Choir and band. Conducted by Brian Fitts, this volunteer group helps lead congregational singing, and it offers praise to God with anthems from various musical genres, e.g., rock, blues, jazz, and African American gospel. The emphasis is on worshiping God, not providing entertainment.
The 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service usually lasts about an hour (a little longer when there is Holy Communion or a baptism). This service features our Chancel Choir (a volunteer group with a couple of paid soloists) led by music director and organist, Bill Allred, who also conducts our bell choirs and children’s choir. The music at this service is usually classical, and occasionally you may even hear strings or brass.
Sermons are typically brief (15 minutes or less) and are meant to comfort and challenge, make you think (and sometimes laugh), all in the service of helping your faith in our loving God to grow.
During the school year, Sunday School for all ages is offered at 10:00 a.m. There are various adult classes to choose from, and the curriculum for the children is age-appropriate. Professional childcare for infants and toddlers is available 8:45 a.m.-noon on Sundays.
Worshipers at both services are young, old, and middle-aged. Some people dress casually, others more formally. Nobody is really concerned about what you wear. We’re simply glad you’re here.
The church is theologically and politically diverse. No need to leave your brain at the door--we graciously discuss the great issues of our day and we respect various viewpoints. We believe being Christian means being carefully informed about what’s happening in the world and then applying our faith with head and heart. Come and join us on this exciting journey of faith.
Special Services
A Presbyterian funeral or a Service of Witness to the Resurrection is first and foremost a worship service. Although the worship service should comfort those who mourn, we come primarily to recall our profound gladness and joy in Christ, our living Lord, emphasizing life lived in trust and service to God. Within the Christian faith, we offer God both praise and thanksgiving for the hope of eternal life we know in Jesus Christ and for the life of the deceased. Please read the guidelines about this service.
The first step in planning a wedding at Guilford Park Church is to make an appointment with one of the pastors. This should be done at least six months in advance of your anticipated wedding date, and preferably even earlier. The purpose of this meeting is to ensure that the plans for the wedding are compatible with the church's understanding of marriage. Until this initial meeting has been completed, no firm commitments will be made concerning the use of the church. Please read the guidelines about this service.