Worship Services
First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood provides two different forms of worship each week.
Contemporary. Traditional. Blended. Transformational. Non-Traditional. The Edge. These are all terms that have been used to describe styles of worship, and each of them carries a preconceived notion of what you will expect. Some folks run away at the mere mention of the word “contemporary” because they think it’s all fluff, hand-waving, and devoid of any real substance. Others steer clear of “traditional” worship, assuming that it’s stuffy, overly formal, or outdated. Blended is what many churches today attempt in their regular services, a compromise between traditional elements with those that remind us of a contemporary style (sometimes, only in music selection).
But how do we describe what we’ve been calling “non-traditional” here at Edgewood for the past couple of years? It defies easy categorization. It’s “contemporary” insofar as we use a screen and what some would call a “praise band,” yet it remains faithful to our Presbyterian and Reformed order of worship, the same order of worship we use in our “traditional” service. We still gather around, proclaim, respond to, seal upon our hearts, and bear into the world God’s Word — in that order. And instead of sticking to just the “WOW Songs for Worship” music books, we include music from the Taizé and Iona communities, we’ve sung traditional hymns with organ while changing others to calypso or bossa nova beats. Our proclamation has been as varied as the number of services we’ve shared together: reader’s theater, VBS kids singing, choral presentations, standard sermons, and more.
The worship and music ministry teams as well as Pastor Mike and Shaun have wrestled with this issue of labeling. What do we call this service that is authentic to who we are as the community of Christ in Edgewood, this service that is, to use one of Pastor Mike’s words, indigenous? We want to share with the outside the exciting and meaningful things we’re experiencing in this service, but don’t want to turn off potential worshipers with an emotionally charged or baggage-laden word on a sign or brochure.
At a recent staff meeting, we came up with a word that we think accurately describes the forward momentum we’re experiencing in non-traditional worship, while avoiding any backlash in future advertisements. That word is emerging. So our two forms of worship each month are classic (formerly known as “traditional”) to be held three Sundays per month, and emerging worship. It is true that there is a cross-denominational movement known as the Emergent or Emerging Church, with which we are not aligning ourselves, but the word itself has great depth of meaning.
The Dictionary.com definition of “emerging” is “newly formed or just coming into prominence; coming forth into view or notice, as from concealment or obscurity.” And that’s what our non-traditional worship is — coming forth into view, evolving, coming into notice. It changes (we hope for the better) with every service we plan, with every addition of a new participant from musician to reader to worshiper. And emerging conveys the image that we haven’t “arrived,” nor do we intend to, as we constantly seek to find new and meaningful ways to worship God using the special gifts and talents unique to our worshiping community.
So, join us for our Classic Edgewood service with scripture, prayer, sermon, and choir for most of the month. And be a part of Emerging Worship on special designated Sundays, generally once per month, throughout the year. Sunday services begin at 11:00 from September to May, and move to 10:00 during June-August.
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Sunday Mornings at 11:00
February 7 - Scout Sunday
A sermon on fear (and why we don't have to be fearful)
Rev. Wilson preaching.
February 14 - Transfiguration of the Lord Sunday
"You Can't Tame the Glory,"
Rev. Wilson preaching.
February 21 - First Sunday in Lent
A service of music and worship from the Taize and Iona communities to help us reflect inward as our Lenten journey begins.
February 28 - Second Sunday in Lent
Emerging Worship, featuring the Instrumental Worship Ensemble, the Sanctuary Choir, and possible guest performers from the University of Pittsburgh Women's Choral Ensemble.
Wednesday Nights
We begin our Lenten journey with a full worship service in the Sanctuary on Ash Wednesday, February 17th at 7:00PM.
For the Wednesdays following in Lent, we'll gather in the Lounge for a simple meal of soup and bread beginning at 6:30PM, then move to a time of scripture, prayer, and singing to guide us on our journey to the cross. |
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