Weekly Worship Services | The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
The Sacrament of Baptism | Weddings
Worship & Sacraments
Worship
Sundays at 10:15 am in the Sanctuary
We gather to worship God on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) because the gospels testify that Jesus rose from the dead early on the first day of t(he week. While we may worship God on any day and at any time, the Sunday service is in particular celebration of Christ’s resurrection and an anticipation of the fullness of God’s reign. We meet in the presence of the living Lord who appeared to his disciples on the first day of the week – the day he rose from the dead – to interpret the Scriptures and break bread.
- The Book of Order, Presbyterian Church, USA, Directory for Worship 3.01
Sunday worship at Cherry Hill features traditional liturgy and music. Each worship service includes hymn singing, music by the choir, soloist, or instrumentalist, prayer of confession and pardon, scripture readings, prayer, sermon, blessing, and sending. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is observed on the first Sunday of each month. The Sacrament of Baptism is offered to members and their children upon request.
Special services are held on Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Thanksgiving Eve.
Preaching schedule is as follows. Our minister, Rev. Mark Phillips, will be preaching for each Sunday unless otherwise indicated.
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
1st Sunday of the Month & Special Days
The invitation to the Lord’s Supper is extended to all who have been baptized, remembering that access to the Table is not a right conferred upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love … Even one who doubts or whose trust is wavering may come to the Table in order to be assured of God’s love and grace in Christ Jesus.
The Book of Order
The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated at Cherry Hill on the first Sunday of the month, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and on other occasions as approved by the session. All are invited to share at the table regardless of church membership. All who come to the table are offered the bread and cup regardless of their age or understanding. Even those who doubt may come to the table to be assured of God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ.
At Cherry Hill, Communion is most often served to worshipers while seated in the pew. Occasionally, the elements are received by “intiction” which has the worshiper coming forward, breaking a piece of bread of a loaf of bread held by either the minister, elder or deacon and then dipping it into the chalice.
The Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism is the sign and seal of our incorporation into Jesus Christ. Baptism enacts and seal what the Word proclaims: God’s redeeming grace offered to all people. Baptism is at once God’s grace, God’s means of grace, and God’s call to respond to that grace.
Both believers and their children are included in God’s covenant love. The baptism of believers witnesses to the truth that God’s gift of grace calls for our grateful response. The baptism of our young children witnesses to the truth that God claims people in love even before they are able to respond in faith.
Baptism is ordinarily celebrated on the Lord’s Day in the gathering of the people of God. The presence of the covenant community bears witness to the one body of Christ, into whom we are baptized.
When a young child is presented for Baptism, at least one parent (or person exercising parental responsibility) should be an active member of a Christian church, normally the congregation in which the baptism takes place.
Weddings
The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) includes the following principals regarding marriage and weddings in the church:
Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage is a civil contract... For Christians, marriage is a covenant... before God to live out together their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage, a lifelong commitment is made ..., publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith.
At Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church, weddings are occasions of both joy and reverence—joy because of the gifts of love and happiness that two people have found in each other, and reverence because of the deep commitment they have made to live out their vows under the grace of God.
Inspired by the radical hospitality of Jesus Christ, Cherry Hill Church welcomes all of God’s children into the life of the church. Each of us comes to God in the same way, unconditionally loved and accepted. Such is the nature of God’s grace. Consistent with our welcome of all, we are honored to host marriage ceremonies for members and nonmembers alike, as well as same-gender couples.
The Christian marriage ceremony is a service of worship before God, normally conducted within the church. Dignity will be expected on the part of all present, and the service shall be under the sole direction of the presiding minister. The minister of Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church shall perform all marriage ceremonies held on church property. Other clergy may be invited if requested by the couple. She or he must be invited by Cherry Hill’s minister and approved by the session. If Cherry Hill’s minister is not available to perform the marriage ceremony, he/she will arrange for another ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, USA to officiate.
The minister and staff of Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church are eager to help make your wedding a lovely and meaningful event. We ask for your careful attention to the following guidelines:
Wedding Information Packet PDF
