​Presbyterian worship is rooted in the Reformed tradition, which emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and the active participation of the congregation. It is generally structured, thoughtful, and centered on the proclamation of the Word.​

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Order of Worship

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The traditional Order of Worship in a Presbyterian worship service typically includes the following elements:

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• Greetings and Announcements - The pastor provides a brief summary on the life of the church (including birthdays, anniversaries, or other special events), and elders and members of the congregation are invited to share updates and announcements

• Call to Worship - A responsive reading where the pastor calls, and the congregation answers, acknowledging God’s invitation to worship.

• Opening Hymn - A powerful hymn of praise and adoration.

• Prayer of Confession - Because we are entering the presence of a holy God, we corporately confess our shortcomings. This is prayed out loud together using a written prayer in the bulletin, followed by a moment of silent personal confession.

• Assurance of Pardon (or Grace) - The pastor reminds the congregation of God’s forgiveness through Christ, based on Scripture.

• Hymn and Prayers of the People - The pastor leads a pastoral prayer interceding for the church, the community, and the wider world, culminating in the congregation reciting the Lord's Prayer together.

• Offertory - The giving of tithes and financial gifts as an act of gratitude.

• Response of Praise - The congregation stands to sing a song of praise - the Doxology ("Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow..."). This is following by a prayer of thanksgiving.

• Proclamation of Faith - The congregation stands to recite Apostles' Creed as an affirmation of faith and belief. 

• Special Music - The Chancel Choir provides a traditional or contemporary song of praise accompanied by piano, organ, guitar, or pre-recorded music. On special occasions (such as Christmas and Easter), the Handbell Choir will perform.

• Scripture Lesson and Sermon - This is the intellectual and spiritual heart of Reformed worship. Presbyterians place a high value on scripture, teaching, and understanding. A brief prayer asking the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to understand the Bible passages about to be read, followed by the reading of two passages from the Holy Bible - one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. The pastor then provides a sermon exploring what the scriptures mean for our lives today.

• Closing Hymn - A hymn focused on dedication, discipleship, or going out into the world.

• Benediction - A final, traditional blessing spoken by the pastor over the congregation.

• Gloria Patri ("Glory be to the Father...") - The congregation stands to sing a final song of thanksgiving.

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Sacraments of the Church

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Presbyterians recognize just two sacraments, believing they were directly instituted by Jesus:​

 

Baptism
Administered to both infants (as a sign of God's covenant promise to the family) and adults making a first-time profession of faith. It is typically done by sprinkling or pouring water.

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The Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion)
Celebrated with bread and wine (or grape juice). At Fairfield-Harmony, the Sacrament of Holy Communion is held on the first Sunday of each month, and on special occasions throughout the year, such as Maundy Thursday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Eve. All believers are invited to participate in Holy Communion - meaning any baptized Christian who trusts in Jesus is welcome to participate, regardless of their church membership or affiliation.

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Learn more about Presbyterian Beliefs by visiting the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) website.