Our Worship Styles
Many Paths, One Destination
Because no two believers travel an identical journey of faith, Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church adapts and embraces new approaches to meet the needs of its diverse members at any point along their journeys. Ultimately, we believe that the purpose of the worship service is to provide an environment to help people feel the presence, grace, and power of God in being part of the body of Christ. We think that God loves to help us grow and that He sees a variety of worship styles as a means to inspire spiritual development and service to Him. He has led us to create three Sunday worship styles: traditional, blended, and contemporary praise.
Traditional Worship Service . Sunday . 9:00–10:00am
Those who grew up in a mainline or Presbyterian church will find that our first of three Sunday worship services continues to capture the essence of traditional practices. Although more formal than our blended and contemporary offerings, the 9:00am service includes a a special children's sermon, once a month from September through May.
If you know by rote the words to Holy, Holy, Holy, or Great Is Thy Faithfulness, or To God Be the Glory, this is the worship service that will sing to your soul. Our Chancel Choir leads the musical worship throughout the traditional service except during summer hiatus in July and August. During those months, our director of music ministries schedules special vocal and instrumental substitutions for the choir.
| Traditional Worship Traits |
Su 9:00–10:00am |
|---|---|
| Location | Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church sanctuary 975 C Avenue, Coronado, CA Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to the community |
| Appeals to | adults |
| Concurrent Campus Opportunities |
Noah's Nursery for infants Sunday School for kindergarten–grade 6 Sunday AM for grades 7–12 |
| Pastor | The Reverend Dr. David H. McElrath in business attire or clerical robe |
| Worship Program | Traditional Worship Service Bulletin example» |
| Sermon | consistent with 10:30am and 5:00pm |
| Special Sermons | an additional 15-minute Children's Sermon, Sep–May |
| Sacraments | Holy Communion, second Sunday monthly |
| Music | traditional Christian hymns accompanied by organ and piano and the Chancel Choir occasional special vocal / instrumental performances |
| Prayer | the pastor leads the congregation in prayer the congregation recites the Lord's Prayer and the Prayer of Confession in unison |
| Lay Participation | a lay reader provides either Old or New Testament background to the sermon |
| Attire | eclectic, comfortable but respectful everything from business suits to Tommy Bahama leisure wear |
Blended Worship Service . Sunday . 10:30–11:30am
The Blended Worship Service began its outreach at the beginning of September 2008 and will continue to evolve in order to meet the needs and desires of the families it draws. What previously was a second traditional morning worship service now combines elements of both traditional worship and contemporary praise worship.
The timing of this service is perfect for adult leaders of the children's Sunday School classes who want to worship with their own children in a sanctuary setting. It also allows teens to worship together in a relaxed and welcoming environment following the conclusion of their own weekly youth group called Sunday AM.
| Blended Worship Traits |
Su 10:30–11:30am |
|---|---|
| Location | Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church sanctuary 975 C Avenue, Coronado, CA Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to the community |
| Appeals to | families leaders of 9:00am Sunday School and the leaders' children youth (teens) |
| Concurrent Campus Opportunities |
Sunday School for kindergarten–grade 6 |
| Pastor | The Reverend Dr. David H. McElrath in business attire |
| Worship Program | Blended Worship Service Bulletin example» |
| Sermon | consistent with 9:00am and 5:00pm |
| Special Sermons | an additional 15-minute Children's Sermon every week |
| Sacraments | Holy Communion, second Sunday monthly |
| Music | traditional Christian hymns accompanied by organ and piano special vocalists and the Chancel Choir |
| Prayer | pastor solicits prayer requests congregation prays silently |
| Lay Participation | youth help serve the sacrament of Holy Communion no lay scriptural reader |
| Attire | eclectic, comfortable but respectful more casual attire than business suits |
Contemporary Praise Worship Service . Sunday . 5:00–6:00pm
Fellowship brings the contemporary praise service congregation together as the body of Christ in order to provide mutual support and encouragement in God's presence. Amplified music rocks the sanctuary and resonates through and animates members as they offer adoration and expressions of gratitude for God's faithfulness and promises in Christ. Very casual, usually spontaneous, and always uplifting.
| Contemporary Praise Worship Traits |
Su 5:00–6:00pm |
|---|---|
| Location | Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church sanctuary 975 C Avenue, Coronado, CA Downloadable Campus Map PDF» |
| Invitation | open to the community |
| Appeals to | families and youth (teens) |
| Concurrent Campus Opportunities |
none |
| Pastor | The Reverend Dr. David H. McElrath in informal attire |
| Worship Program | Contemporary Praise Worship Service Bulletin Example» |
| Sermon | consistent with 9:00am and 10:30am |
| Sacraments | Holy Communion, second Sunday monthly |
| Music | contemporary praise arrangements lyrics conveyed by projection screen Praise Band accompaniment |
| Prayer | pastor solicits and distributes prayer requests for use in corporate prayer |
| Lay Participation | youth help serve the sacrament of Holy Communion no lay scriptural reader |
| Attire | casual and comfortable but respectful |