LA PLATA COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Worship Committee/Worship and Christian Education Committee
Originally, this committee was formed to take care music, schedule ushers and greeters, invite individuals to lead Bible study at the La Plata Nursing Home, prepare the communion sacraments, and ask Elders to serve communion, decorate for Advent and the Christmas season, plan for special music, and nursery attendants. This committee was also responsible for securing pulpit supply when the minister was on vacation or when we were between pastors. Later, taping the worship services and distributing the tapes to shut-ins were added to the functions of the Worship Committee. In 1990, Joan Ferry joined the committee as the Wedding Coordinator for the Church. Scheduling candle-lighters for Sunday worship services became part of this committee’s responsibilities beginning in 1993.
Special recognition has been held annually for Mother’s Day, Father's Day, High School Senior Recognition, and Pastor Appreciation Sunday.
While Rev. Bill Galbraith was our pastor, he delivered a sermon on “The Good Samariton.” He asked a member to dress like a homeless person and sit on the church steps the day of the sermon. Many people simply stepped aside and ignored him, with only one person stopping to ask if he was alright and inviting him into the worship service. This experience encouraged people to “think outside their box.” What would you do if you saw a homeless person sitting on the front steps of our church?
While Rev. Greg Wood was our pastor, we began having a Maundy Thursday Communion Service, initially held in the Parlor and later moved to Fellowship Hall due to large attendance. We serve a light meal prior to the service. During Advent season, families provide an Advent reading and light candles on the Advent wreath each Sunday at the beginning of worship. We also have a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. These special services have become a tradition and have continued to be held for over 30 years.
Maundy Thursday Communion Service after a light meal. (2019)
Ty and MaKay (Belt) Hettinger Family lighting an Advent Candle. (2023)
In 2000, when Rev. John Carswell was our pastor, we had two Biblical reenactments, in conjunction with the La Plata Ministerial Alliance. On Palm Sunday, Jesus (Scott Groseclose) rode a donkey and led a procession from the park to the Baptist Church, complete with palms and praises. On Good Friday, he carried a large wooden cross from the city park to the Community Presbyterian Church for a noon service.
Jesus (Scott Groseclose) arriving at the Baptist Church for Palm Sunday Worship. (2000)
Jesus (Scott Groseclose) leading the procession. (2000)
Jesus (Scott Groseclose) carrying the cross from City Park to CPC. (2000)
The procession walking by the Christian Church toward the Good Friday Service at CPC. (2000)
In 2003, while Rev. Paul Dobbins was our minister, our members performed an Easter pageant titled “YOU ARE THE CHRIST,” featuring a cast of 35 people, along with over 10 more involved in directing, props, and prompting. The church was filled to capacity. Many people remember the lights were dimmed, and when they came back on, Jesus (Ralph Smith) was on the cross, portraying the crucifixion. The Pageant concluded with the resurrection and the empty tomb, followed by Pastor Dobbins giving an invitation to accept Jesus, with the choir and congregation singing “He is Lord/Crown Him with Many Crowns.”
Children singing in the Easter Pageant:
Front row – Kaitley Hagar, MaKay Belt, Tanner Riggins, Baylon Belt.
Middle row – Cordel Bane, Weston Smith, Justin Riggins.
Top row – Jeana Bane, Rachel Smith
The risen Lord (Ralph Smith) giving “The Great Commission”. (2003)
In 2007, “The Cross,” a contemporary worship service on Saturday nights, began in September. The Worship Team consisted of Pastor John Becker, Deanna Wheeler, Julie Roberts, Craig Dawson, John McGee and Wendy Carter, along with a Music Team (the Cross Band) In 2008, the Cross Band grew from 3 to 10 youth providing worship music. They also performed at the Silver Rails Talent Show, the Soybean Festival, and two other concerts in the park.
The Cross
Come join us as we praise and worship Jesus Christ with song, prayer and fellowship at The Cross
This new praise Worship service begins Saturday, September 15th at 6:30 in the Community Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.
C entered
R ighteously
O n
S pritual
S ervice
"Then Jesus said, "if anyone desires to come after me, let him take up his cross, and follow me."
Matthew 10:24
“Prayers for the People” became part of our Sunday Worship Service in 2007. The original team to lead the prayer was: Deanna Wheeler, Craig Dawson, and John McGee. “Prayers for the People” continue to be a regular part of our Sunday Worship Services.
In 2009, the Worship and Christian Education (CE) Committees combined due to the lack of children and families attending Sunday School. The Worship/CE Committee continues to fulfill the responsibilities as originally outlined.
In September 2010, Craig Dawson became certified as a Commissioned Lay Pastor (CLP) in the Missouri Union Presbytery. He provided pulpit supply to our church and many others in the Presbytery. In 2011, we added a big-screen TV and a laptop computer to the sanctuary equipment. Worship services were recorded and shared online through our Facebook page.
On Easter Sunday in 2014, we held "The Celebration of Life Service" (a memorial service in remembrance of those who passed away during the previous year). This Celebration of Life Service has become a special event at CPC and is held regularly.
A favorite tradition is to adopt a family at Christmas. The Angel Tree stands in the sanctuary each Advent Season, adorned with paper angels naming gifts for members of adopted family. The congregation selects angels, provides gifts, wraps them, and returns them to the church. Before Christmas Eve, the gifts are delivered to the adopted family.
In 2018, Becky Dawson and Cheryl Lock became trained elders who officiate Communion when an ordained Presbyterian minister is unavailable.
In 2019, Pastor Terry Hunsaker delivered a moving Easter sermon with the large wooden cross draped in white linen and the crown of thorns as part of the platform setting. A special thank you goes to Pastor Terry and Billie Hunsaker, Sara Beth Fouch, and Chloe Craig for the beautiful candle Christmas Eve Service that year entitled "The Gift."
Children singing "Jesus Loves Me" after coming down the aisle waving palm branches. (2023)
2020 was the year of the COVID pandemic across the country. Our worship services were interrupted, and the sanctuary was closed for 12 Sundays throughout the year. Additionally, due to bad weather in January, we canceled worship services for two Sundays. Our special services, including Maundy Thursday Service, Community Palm Sunday Service, and Christmas Eve Services, were canceled this year due to the pandemic. However, we were able to hold a Celebration of Life service on November 1, All Saints’ Day. Communion was served monthly when the sanctuary was open for worship. As a safety precaution that year, we used prefilled communion cups, which contained both the juice and communion wafer in a single two-part container. (This continued through November 2021.) Our committee expanded congregational care by reaching to all members by mailing "Thinking of You" cards five times throughout year.
Beginning in 2022, CPC children waved palm branches to open our Palm Sunday Worship, and that tradition continues every year.
The La Plata Ministerial Alliance (LMA) coordinates community worship services, including a Spring Sing, Palm Sunday service, Baccalaate Service for High School Seniors, and a Thanksgiving service on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Additionally, the LMA provides morning services for the National Day of Prayer and Labor Day “Church in the Park.” Participating churches include La Plata Baptist, Celebration Church Assembly of God, Christian, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Illinois Bend Church. The offerings collected at these services support those in need of emergency assistance through the LMA.