Welcome!
We hope you know you are a beloved child of an abundant God! Knowing how loved we are by God can empower us to love others and seek ways we can be of service. So, we hope you know Jesus loves you, as you are and as you can be.
We worship this loving God on Sunday mornings at 10am together. The congregation meets in a building that was built in 1978 and honestly shows a bit of its age but it is home for many seeking a relationship with The Divine. You will have two entrances from which to choose when coming into the building. The one beside the disabled parking is the most direct route to the sanctuary. There is a ramp leading up to that door. If you use this entrance, you enter the building in what is called the “Family Room” just outside the sanctuary.
An order of worship we call a bulletin will be sitting on a lectern just inside the door. The worship order is projected onto a screen too, so you don’t necessarily need the bulletin, but some folks still enjoy holding the printed word.
Worship is traditional and incorporates liturgy (responsive readings), hymns, reading of Scripture and prayers. A sermon is part of the morning worship and is usually less than 20 minutes long. Children are welcome in the sanctuary even if they are fidgety and loud. It is a welcome sound. Childcare will be provided if you prefer your children be in our nursery.
We hope to see you some Sunday morning. We will welcome you with open hearts, minds, and spirits.
What is a Presbyterian?
Presbyterian itself comes from Scripture the Greek word presbyteros meaning elder.
Very simply, the Presbyterian Church believes humanity is given salvation by the Grace of God alone-not through any human efforts. The Bible is the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ and the God of creation who shows us love and offers us opportunities to serve and glorify God in our lives.
Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God’s generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone’s job – ministers and lay people alike – to share this Good News with the whole world. This is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike. (https://www.presbyterianmission.org/what-we-believe/theology/)
The Presbyterian faith strives to be accepting and understanding of all lifestyles. Northminster welcomes all people, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the Presbyterian denomination please visit https://www.presbyterianmission.org/what-we-believe/.
FAQs
Who is welcome to worship at Northminster?
Everyone is welcome to worship at Northminster. We believe God loves all people and that all people were created in his image.
Can I attend Northminster without being a member of the church?
Absolutely! We have many different regular attendees who are not members. We will not force you to join, and will welcome you with open arms regardless of church status.
Is there a dress code at Northminster?
There is no dress code, although the church does prefer attire that covers the body (i.e., shirt, shoes, shorts/pants, etc). We have many members who dress up, but many who dress in jeans as well. If all you have clean is a pair of sweatpants, wear them!
What does a typical worship at Northminster look like?
Worship begins at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday morning. Prelude music begins the service, and then a liturgist will welcome all who are in attendance, including those on our Facebook live feed. Announcements are read, and the Pastor prays. The Liturgist continues with the Call to Worship, introduction of the first hymn, Call to Confession, Prayer of Confession, and Assurance of Pardon. Joys and Concerns are shared with the congregation, and the congregation members have a chance to express any of their joys and concerns as well. Scripture readings and a sermon then follow. Each service has an affirmation of faith. We typically sing 2 hymns, 2 sung responses, and a closing chorus. Each service is about an hour long.
Sometimes our service may look different, depending on the season.
Are there programs for children?
Northminster has a nursery room and a Sunday School area that can be utilized should children attend. There are also activity packets with coloring pages and crayons available for children for use during the worship service.
Is Northminster involved in politics?
Northminster follows the Word of God and the beliefs of Jesus. Jesus believed in helping all of God’s children, including those who are poor, outcast, and socially marginalized. However, we do not partake in partisan politics and do not endorse political candidates. Our church considers itself neither liberal or conservative.
How do I become a member of Northminster?
If you attend a service or services at Northminster and decide we are the church for you (and we hope you do!), please feel free to approach our Pastor with your interest.
What is Communion? Can I partake?
Communion (or the Lord’s Supper) is a ritual that is shared among most denominations. The process involves prayer, eating of the bread (the Body of Christ) and the drinking of grape juice (blood of Christ). The Deacons prepare Communion and the Elders of the church serve the elements. We believe that by taking Communion together, it connects us to God and the Holy Spirit.
Everyone who calls themselves a believer of Jesus and God can partake in the elements. It is not Northminster’s table, it is not a Presbyterian table, it is the Lord’s table. You do not need to identify as Presbyterian.
What does baptism look like in the Presbyterian church?
Baptism is one of two Sacraments in the Presbyterian Church USA, Communion is the other one. Baptism can be at any age. We do not practice re-baptizing people.
Baptism is a symbol of God’s grace claiming someone. It is a sign and a seal of the Holy Spirit proclaiming that the person baptized is a beloved child of God and first and foremost belongs to God. It is not a “believers baptism” where someone professes faith in Christ and then gets baptized. It is a baptism on behalf of the child by the guardians saying “This child belongs to God and is loved by God’s grace”. It represents rebirth, the death of the old and the birth of the new. Presbyterian Baptisms are traditionally done with sprinkling water on the head of the child or adult, but pouring water over the person’s head, or immersion are allowed. Usually that would require special use of someone else’s baptismal pool as the font in most churches is made for sprinklings.
Presbyterians traditionally baptize infants because we believe God’s grace claims us even before we can begin to understand anything about what the unconditional love of God means. The guardians of the child seek permission of the Session (the governing body in the PCUSA) to do the baptism. We perform baptism as part of a Sunday morning worship service as a response to the Word of God proclaimed (after the Scripture readings and sermon).
During the baptism the congregation, the parents, grandparents and any other family present promise to help raise the child as a Christian-educating them about Jesus Christ, teaching them about the love of God and love of neighbor. They pledge to walk beside the child for their lifetime, sharing in the abundant life of Christ.
Speak to the pastor about being baptized and we can help you get set to receive this Sacrament at an upcoming worship service. Email office@northminsterspringfield.org for further details.