United Presbyterian Church supports two regular services at 9:00 and 11:30AM.  The earlier service follows a traditional format while the later service (called New Creation) provides a more contemporary worship style.  The most obvious difference between the two services is the style of music.  The traditional service uses the blue Presbyterian hymnal and is supported by the Cathedral Choir and organ.  The New Creation service is based around praise music accompanied with guitars, drums and vocals by the New Creation Music Team.  From week to week, the theme of each service is the same, but the presentation is very different.  Over the past five years, the earlier service has been the more attended service (see attendance charts that follow).

Communion is served on the first Sunday of every month as well as Palm Sunday, World Communion Sunday, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Christmas Eve.  Communion is served by intinction at the New Creation service.  At the Traditional service, communion is most often served in the pews, although the intinction method is also used.  Any baptized person may take communion.

Our regular weekly services are supplemented by the following Special Services:

• Ash Wednesday

• Maundy Thursday - dramatic performance of the Last Supper

• Easter Sunrise service

• Christmas Eve service (family and candlelight services)

In the last year, UPC has co-hosted the following services with Northminster Presbyterian, also of Cuyahoga Falls:

• Good Friday service                        

• 9/11 Remembrance Service

The music ministry of the Church is coordinated by the Music Director, Jacinto Nunez, and is carried out through the following groups:

• Cathedral Choir and Cathedral Ringers for adults

• Chancel Choir for Jr. and Sr. High youth, Chancel Ringers for Jr. High Youth and Celebration Ringers for Sr. High Youth

• Cherub Choir for elementary age children

• New Creation Music Team

Faith in the Rock is a homegrown contemporary Christian rock band of six to seven members that provided regular music leadership for the New Creation service from its inception in fall of 2000 through 2002.  In addition, FITR has led 5 praise nights over the last 2 years with attendance of over 100 at each.   

In addition to providing music for Sunday worship, the choir groups have also done the following:

• Presented a Cantata at Good Friday service the last two years

• Presented a Festival of Lessons and Carols during Advent the last two years

• Put on the Madrigal Dinner during Advent for the past three years (to raise money for Hope Homes)

• Cathedral Choir has sung at the Presbyterian House at Chautauqua, New York

• The Chancel Choir has toured in the Buffalo, New York area

• Youth and adults have attended the Westminster Music Conference

• Co-sponsored the David Bailey concert with the Stow Presbyterian Church

Folks with an interest in drama, dance, and puppetry have opportunities to participate in worship through participation in Thesbyterians, Moving Grace and the Puppet Ministry.  Members of the congregation also support the worship life of the Church by volunteering as nursery workers, ushers, sound system operators, Lay Leaders, flower coordinators, Children’s Sermon leaders and acolytes.  Members also have the opportunity to serve on worship planning teams that assist the Pastor with brainstorming, creative interpretation of the message, evaluation and, especially for New Creation service, by providing leadership during the service.

Current issues and future plans:  A Multi-Media fund was established in May 2003 for donations that will be used to purchase media equipment including a video projection system.  Session has directed the Personnel and Worship Committees to study the creation of a Creation Music Team Leader position.  This position would enable the New Creation Music Team to learn and grow through permanent leadership trained in contemporary music.  The Worship Committee and Session are currently considering whether to make a change to the Sunday morning time schedule.   The purpose of the change would be to address concerns that our current schedule may not provide opportunities for all who wish to attend worship and may not provide the best time frame for the New Creation service and the Church to grow.  

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