Joyful. Familial. Caring. Thoughtful.

There are elements that are typical of services at other churches: a call to worship, prayers, hymns, other music, and a sermon. Some unusual elements that are parts of worship include

- a Time of Discovery, a special time for children

- a Time of Offering Gratitude, a brief time to actively think about our own personal faith

- a time called Mission and Ministry of the Church that highlights our members and opportunities.

It may be peculiar to mention our church bulletins, but we like them and how they function. They are beautiful, they consistently represent well the main theme of worship, and they include sidebars and quotations that extend the theme of worship.

There are ways that children are involved: through helping lead worship, coming forward–if they want–for a “Time of Discovery,” or encountering the scripture of the day through special fun sheets with puzzles and games.

Our Senior Pastor is also a professor of religious studies, and so we like to think that our worship is very thoughtful. Our Director of Music is also the Director of the Virginia Symphony Chorus and of the Norfolk Street Choir, so we really appreciate the variety of kinds of music that are part of our worship.

In a world in which churches frequently use the words “traditional” or “contemporary” to describe their worship, we tend to not think in those categories. What characterizes our worship? Joy.

We have an open communion table. As our liturgy says, “This is not the table of Second Presbyterian Church. This is the Lord’s table. And each one of you is welcome. Each of us—with our doubts, our fears, our scars, our joy, our dreams, our hopes, our questions—we are invited to God's table.”

Children are welcome to the table, either for a blessing or to receive the elements. We do ask that before children receive the elements, you speak with them or have one of the clergy speak with them about the meaning of the Lord’s table.

Communion at SPC is through intinction. You come forward, receive a piece of bread, and then dip it into the cup of grape juice.

If you visit during a Sunday when communion is being offered, you do not need to receive it and can just remain seated. Or you could come forward for a blessing.

If you wish to receive communion, but would like to remain seated, we will bring it to you.

Just talk with Pastor Craig or any elder or member of the staff.

Please reach out to Jo Kolb at jokolb@spcnorfolk.org. She will be able to answer your question or point you in the right direction.