Hillsborough Reformed Church

Join us for worship this Sunday, August 9th-9:30am

Order of Worship and Announcements

Special Worship: Sunday, August 16 at 9:30 a.m.

Worship will be held in Memorial Hall

Worship will look a little different next Sunday, August 16! Rather than gathering in the sanctuary for our usual service of hymns, Scripture, sermon, and prayers, we will gather around tables in Memorial Hall for a special worship experience inspired by the Messy Church movement.

What is Messy Church? Many churches, including several in our own Classis, are discovering that worship can be less “watch and listen” and more “come and participate.” Some churches are using this style of worship because it can be more accessible and welcoming to those who are new to faith. It can be less intimidating to be invited to a meal than to a “worship service.” This way of worship also echoes the earliest Christian communities, who gathered in homes, around tables, and often shared meals as they prayed, worshiped, and learned together. Next Sunday, we’ll try out this new/ancient form of worship for ourselves!

So come prepared for something fresh and different! Bagels, coffee, and other refreshments will be provided. We’ll sing and pray around the tables, with a guest musician leading us on keyboard. Elder and Vice President David Park, along with other lay worship leaders, will guide us through the special liturgy. Our time in Scripture will be less of a traditional sermon and more of a conversation, giving everyone an opportunity to listen, reflect, and share.

Everyone is welcome, young and old, longtime church members and those who are newer to faith, and yes, squirmy and loud children too! Come try something new and see what happens when we make room for God to speak not only through the pastor or worship leaders, but through the wisdom and conversations of the whole community gathered around the table. God moves among us in all our forms of worship, and we look forward to discovering how God will nourish us next Sunday!