St. Andrews Presbyterian Church

Outreach - The Outreach Ministry teams with several other ministries to create a positive presence for St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in the Tucker community. We purposefully welcome all people and invite all people to share in Christian faith. Please click on the links below to discover the exciting activities of the Outreach Ministry:

Visitor Information

Presbyterian Beliefs

Presbyterian Sacraments

Our Worship of God

Greeter Program

Lemonade in the Shade

Presbyterian Beliefs

Our creator made the world in love and continues to sustain and provide for it. The heartbreak in the world arises primarily from a human tendency toward idolatry, where we give priority to realities other than God. We worship, in part, to hear the truth about life so that we can reorient ourselves to God.
In his life, death and resurrection, Jesus was able to reconcile the world to God. When we look at Jesus' great love and faithfulness, we see most clearly who God is.
The Holy Spirit is among us when we gather in God's name. The Spirit comforts us in our pain, challenges us when we grow too comfortable, and guides us as followers of Christ.
Scripture is our primary witness to God's history with the world. We believe that Scripture was shaped by the people who wrote it and their histories, but that God still speaks deep truths through it today.
The church is "the body of Christ" and is gathered together for many purposes, which include worship, education, fellowship, and caring for others.
God's people are chosen as much for service as for salvation. Both men and women have been called to serve God as ministers, elders, deacons, and teachers. Top

Presbyterians celebrate two sacraments: baptism and communion. Communion, also called "The Lord's Supper" or "The Eucharist," is the sign and seal of eating and drinking with the crucified and risen Lord. We are nourished and shaped by God as we share this foretaste of God's heavenly banquet. In our church, all who trust in Christ are welcome to the table!

Presbyterians baptize infants and adults. We believe that God loves us and our children, and that parents and the faith community are to educate and support the child together in such a way that she or he will always be aware of God's love and acceptance. Baptism is a way of saying, "you belong!"

Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage began with the French lawyer-turned-pastor, John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformation thinking that came before him. Centered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Reformed movement spread to other parts of Europe and the British Isles. "The definitive reformed document is the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), which may be viewed online at http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html."

Many of the early Presbyterians in America immigrated from England, Scotland, and Ireland. The first General Assembly, our national governing body, was held in Philadelphia in 1789 and was convened by the Rev. John Witherspoon, the only minister to sign the Declaration of Independence. The Presbyterian Church (USA) has a written constitution composed of our Book of Order and Book of Confessions.

As a welcoming, serving congregation, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church seeks to share God's grace through education, fellowship, music, and inclusive, embracing outreach ministries to those in physical and spiritual need. Our worship focuses on the challenges of contemporary life and faith as we seek to know and follow God.

It is our hope that you will come to know us as a loving and welcoming congregation that is dedicated both to speaking the truth about God and doing God's work in the world. Top

Our Worship of God - We worship on Sundays at 8:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. during the academic year, and at 10:00 a.m. in the summer months. Our Sunday Services are divided into four parts:

We Gather in God's Name - As people gather for worship every effort is made to draw the attention of worshippers to God.

Prelude and Introit - Musical selections give worshippers an opportunity for praise and private mediation.

Call to Worship - The Call to Worship focuses the attention of worshippers on God. The call is generally a litany drawn from Scripture.

Hymns - In our hymns we sing praise to God, make petitions to God, and commit our lives to God.

Call to Confession and Prayer of Confession - Worshippers are called to see themselves and the world through God's eyes, and in light of God's justice and mercy. This prayer gives us as opportunity to approach God honestly.

Assurance of Pardon and Response - The Assurance of Pardon is an expression of God's forgiveness poured out upon the worshippers, enabling them to continue to worship in the confidence of God's mercy. Our Response to this assurance is a verse of praise giving thanks to God who forgives.

Passing of the Peace - The Passing of the Peace is one of the most ancient responses in worship. Having received Christ's peace, we share it with one another.

We Proclaim God's Word - The Proclamation of the Word of God is central to worship in Presbyterian churches.

Prayer for Illumination - We pray that God will open our ears and hearts so that we may hear God's timeless word in a timely manner.

Scripture Lesson - After reading the Scripture the leader says: "This is the Word of the Lord." The people respond: "Thanks be to God!"

Time with the Children - This element assures children in the congregation of their importance to the life of the church, and is related to the theme of worship for the day.

Sermon - The Sermon in the Presbyterian tradition is an exposition of Holy Scripture. At St. Andrews our usual practice is to follow the Common Lectionary (i.e., common to many denominations).

We Give Thanks to God - Having been instructed by the Word of God, the congregation is now asked to respond through the singing of a hymn, prayers, the presentation of gifts, and a statement of faith.

Affirmation of Faith - Having heard the word proclaimed, we state what we believe.

Prayers of the People - On behalf of the congregation, one of the worship leaders expresses the corporate prayers of the congregation. These prayers are for the world, local, and personal concerns.

The Lord's Prayer - What Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matthew 6 and Luke 11.

Presentation of gifts, tithes, and offerings - The Presentations of Offerings is an act of grateful response to God. The Offertory, usually a vocal or instrumental musical offering, gives the congregation a setting in which to reflect on their gratitude to God. The Doxology is an offering of praise sung by the whole congregation.

Prayer of Dedication - We dedicate our lives and our offerings of time, talents, and money to God's use.

We Go in God's Name

Benediction in Words - The Benediction in Words is a spoken expression of blessing by the worship leaders.

Benediction in Music - The Benediction in Music is a musical offering that provides an opportunity for the congregation to reflect on the worship experience before leaving the sanctuary. At St. Andrews, worshippers remain seated and attentive for this benediction. Top

Greeter Program - On Sunday mornings, volunteer greeters stand at the Narthex door to answer questions and say hello to visitors. Please click here if you would like to be a greeter. Top

Lemonade in the Shade - The Outreach Ministry organizes a time after worship during the summer months for visitors and members to converse over a cool cup of lemonade and a chewy snack. They develop a schedule and then each ministry takes a turn or two in providing lemonade and cookies. Top

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