This Sunday was World Communion Sunday. I was blessed to worship with our own Second Presbyterian Church in downtown Richmond, Virginia. This was only my second time worshipping in a truly downtown congregation!
It was a rainy Sunday, so I opted to park in their parking deck. Oddly enough, I found a parking spot on the same level as the entrance into Second. I had trouble figuring out how to validate my parking ticket, but the very friendly and observant greeter helped me!
Second is historic, to say the least (founded in 1845, still at the same location!). Their sanctuary is very impressive and voluminous (see pics), but it oozes with welcome. I sat just to the right of the center aisle, near a balcony support column, and I could see up in the balcony as well as each side of the T-shaped front portion of the church.
Many worshippers wore name tags, so it was nice to learn their names as they greeted this visitor. This being World Communion Sunday, I was expecting a wonderfully planned and practiced celebration of the Eucharist. More details to follow!
The worship service begins with an informal ten-minute space for welcome, music, and reflection to prepare for the 11 a.m. worship hour. This time concluded with the Passing of the Peace of Christ to prepare for the worship service itself. This was the first time I had experienced the passing of the peace early in the service, so there was a lot of movement and sharing of the peace before we all took our seats.
The musical portion of the service was wonderful, well planned and placed, and presented in ways to increase our awareness of the Spirit in our midst. Three pastors shared in leading the service, each in their own way—a wonderful blending of voices.
The Word was presented to us in print and in voice. The children at Second are invited forward for a message from a pastor. The senior pastor’s message was based upon readings from Exodus and Mark, offering ways to understand communion from two distinct sections of the Bible.
For communion, the liturgy was led by three pastors and two youth. For a moment, I wondered, “How will they serve communion in this big room?” This is how they did it.
Pastors went to each side of the sanctuary and, pew by pew, invited all to come to the table. Each time, a verbal invitation was given, often by name, and the participants went forward to receive the elements, returned to their seats, and partook. A truly personal invitation! Awesome!
After worship at Second, there is coffee, snacks, and fellowship. Stewardship Season is beginning at Second, and there were individually addressed envelopes for the members to pick up with details of the Season. They even gave me one—not sure if I am supposed to pledge!
I suggest visiting their website to glimpse their work and ministry in downtown Richmond because we have a vibrant, ministry-oriented congregation there!
Thank you, Second, for such a wonderful Sunday!
Till my next travel,
Kerry
