SUNDAY
WORSHIP
Our worship service is at 10 am and is usually about one hour long.
Our liturgy is informal to some people and quite
formal to others,
depending on your perspective. We typically sing from a hymnal, but
other times we use printed
inserts for newer songs. We typically
listen to a sermon, but we also listen to each other during a time
for the prayers
of the people.
Click here to see a current and recent bulletin.
Through our hymns, liturgy, and prayers we use a variety of images
to speak of God and humanity, using Inclusive Language. In
particular, we invite many names for God in our Common Prayer. As
you pray, you are welcome to
address God in whatever way is most
meaningful for you.
You will always hear an inspiring, biblically-based sermon that
stimulates thought and challenges us to live according
to the
example and teachings of Jesus Christ, especially as related to
current issues of justice and peace, preached
by our pastor, The
Rev. Dr. David Bahr. At other times, worship may be led by one of
the several ministers or
theological students who are members of our
church. Or, we may present a service centered on a dialogue among
some of our members on a relevant topic or other kind of creative
presentation, such as during Women’s History
Month or Social Justice
Sunday in July.
Click here to read some recent sermons
Twice a year we worship in a different way. We have an annual
all-church weekend retreat at our church camp –
LaForet near
Colorado Springs – in August and do not hold services at the church. And one Sunday each summer
we have a Jesus Has Left the Building:
And We Followed Sunday. That day we engage in worshipful service in
the community – offering a meal to homeless families, marching in
the GLBT Pride Parade, or leading a service in a
local nursing home.
MUSIC
When you come to worship with us, your experience will vary depending on the Sunday – sometimes organ, sometimes gospel band, sometimes piano or a combination of all three! Since we are a diverse congregation, we vary our worship and music styles. For most Sundays from September to May, our Sanctuary Choir sings and our hymns are accompanied on organ or piano along with the PHCC Wind Ensemble; the music for these Sundays varies from traditional to contemporary. Once a month we have a Gospel Band and sing Gospel hymns. We have other special Sundays, including an annual celebration of the great classical Music of the Masters. On the Sunday before Mardi Gras each year, Polite Jazz leads worship music. One Sunday in March features all female composers to observe Women’s History Month. We host a number of special musical guests and ensembles, including Sine Nomine and Mosaic, Denver’s LGBT Youth Chorus.
COMMUNION
We celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion during worship about once a month. You do not need to be a member of this church or any church to participate because we believe the Table belongs to Christ, not to any church, and Christ welcomes all. If you’d like to discuss the meaning of communion to you, please contact the pastor. We also welcome children to communion, believing that it is a family feast and no one keeps children away from the dinner table.
Communion is served by “Intinction.” This means everyone who is able comes forward to take a piece of bread off the common loaf and dips it into the chalice (cup) and then eats while returning to their seat. For those with mobility challenges, communion is brought to their seat. We use grape juice.
CHILDREN
Children and youth are welcome to worship with you or participate in our Christian Education program during the service. We offer a nursery for the littlest ones. Older children begin in worship and may go forward for a Children’s Time (like a sermon moment just for them) and then to a classroom to learn about the great stories and themes of the Bible, and explore the relationship of our faith to the events of everyday. On Communion Sundays, class ends early and everyone participates in communion together.
WHERE IS THE CHURCH ENTRANCE?
The main entrance to our building faces west a couple of hundred feet north of 26th
Avenue on Leyden Street. In the spirit of “WELCOME HOME – WE’VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU,’ you’ll be greeted at the door. You may be asked by one of our greeters if you’d like to give us your address and phone number so that our pastor can send you a note. But it’s perfectly OK to say, “Not this time.” We’ll also offer you a nametag.
WHERE DO I PARK?
We have street parking all around our building. There are handicap and drop-off spaces in front of the entrance on Leyden Street.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Our members are people of all races, ages, sexual orientations, and economic circumstances. You can expect to see people dressed in everything from blue jeans to suits and ties. Please wear whatever makes you comfortable.
We look forward to seeing you! We hope it will be evident to you that we’ve been preparing for your visit!
OTHER WORSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES
In addition to Sunday mornings, we have occasional Taize-style worship services, particularly during Lent.
Taize services
are very simple, including only scripture readings and prayerful, repetitive songs. They offer that rare opportunity to be still with God and reflect on our lives.
Click here to see this coming Sunday’s worship bulletin.
