What is a Presbyterianism worship service like?

Answer 1

This will vary from Church to Church and Minister to Minister, however in general a Presbyterian Church service would follow these rough outlines...

1. A time of Gathering : This is usually either a prayer or a song that the congregation will speak/ sing together to get everyone focused and let everyone know that the service is about to start.
2. A Call to Worship: This is usually a responsive section, an example of which would be The Lord Be With You And Also With You Lift up your hearts We lift them up to the Lord Please turn to Pg. XXX in the hymn book for our opening praise selection...
3. Then add in a Hymn (Songs are provided in either a hymn book, a slip of paper in the bulletin [pamphlet] or on a projection screen)
4. Time for guided Prayer and meditation: where the members of the congregation bow their heads and pray while an elder or perhaps the minister will pray aloud from the pulpit. By listening to the prayer of the minister, one has more to spring off of in their own prayers.
5. Collection of the Offering: The Bible does say to give %10 of your earnings to the Lord as an offering. However the Presbyterian church understands the economic hardships one may face and all contributions are for the most part anonymous. In most churches a plate is passed around and you can place your sum of money on the plate which will then be brought to the pulpit, prayed over and left at the front of the church for the rest of the service. Many people are hesitant to give as they don't know what this money is for- in many churches the breakdown is as follows. A) General Fund (Heating, Plumbing, Lawn Care etc.) B) Mortgage C) Children and Youth ( Money for Sunday Schools and Retreats) as well as the salary for the minister and charitable contributions funds.
6. More Hymns, an Anthem (A song sung by the Choir) and Children's Time: The children's time is usually a story for the children illustrating a good moral or relevant life advice for a youngster. After this the children are often excused and are allowed to go to a separate area for Sunday School or Nursery depending on age. These services will vary from church to church based on Child population as well as financial means.
7. Scripture Reading: The minister will read an excerpt from the Old Testament, the Psalms, and the New Testament that will relate to the Sermon.
8. the Sermon: A relatable and sometimes humorous "speech" that is tied to Biblical values but written and given by the minister in a relatable fashion. Sermons tend to be what truly defines a church and vary greatly from Reverend to Reverend.
9. More Prayer and Song
10. Benediction: The Minister will ask for Gods blessing first for the people in the congregation, then the community, then the country, then the globe finally encompassing all of Man Kind in prayer.
11. Some churches will provide a coffee hour following the service with various desserts, vegetables, and of course- coffee. This allows the congregation to socialize and catch up with people who they haven't otherwise seen throughout the course of the average week.

In short, Presbyterian worship services can vary from slow and sombre ( with a heavy footed organist and a whithered hell-oriented minister) to an upbeat and contemporary service complete with a praise band and uplifting sermon about the importance of universal Love. The only real way to know is to go to two or three congregations and give the church a try- done decide Presbyterianism isn't for your based on one visit to one church. Taste them all. My personal rule of thumb is "If there's a drum kit, I'll probably fit in here"