Worship At Fairview

In worship, we joyfully ascribe praise to God, acknowledging God’s presence in the world and in our lives.  In worship, we respond to God’s amazing love and grace for us through Jesus Christ.  Through worship, we are transformed and renewed by the Spirit for God’s service in the world.

Through song, prayer, scripture, silence, preaching, and sacraments, we experience God’s presence – and that presence has an impact.  We may be affirmed, encouraged, supported, strengthened, healed, or restored.  Alternatively, we may be challenged, inspired, confronted, empowered, or changed.  In any case, we do not leave worship exactly the same as when we entered. 

By worshipping together, we travel with a company of pilgrims sharing questions and insights, bearing each others’ burdens, celebrating each others’ joys.

Worship at Fairview seeks to be relevant rather than trendy; authentic rather than old-fashioned.

Fairview’s worship services engage and involve the worshipper.  Clergy, lay-leaders, and musicians are not performing for a passive audience, but leading a community of people who worship together.

8:45 Casual/Informal Worship

Worship begins with quiet, meditative music accompanied by piano, guitar, and strings.  Although the singing will become quite spirited, this service seeks to impart an experience of God’s peace.  John’s honest and thoughtful preaching is complemented by music that is contemporary and multi-cultural.

11:00 traditional worship

This worship service brings together John’s thought-provoking and scripture-inspired preaching, our magnificent choir directed by John Schmid (Chorus Master of Indianapolis Opera), acolytes, pipe organ, and a more formal liturgical style.  Music at this service is a blend of classic and contemporary, powerful and peaceful.

Children and worship

Children are welcomed at all our worship services.  Their worship experience is enhanced by a children’s message and specially designed activity sheets. Children also participate in worship as acolytes, readers, liturgists, musicians, and actors in plays and pageants.

A nursery is available for children under 5 years of age. 

The pastor has a special “Time with Children” before the sermon.   They gather ‘round for a short story or lesson and usually add a few of their own thoughts.   

Following the Time with Children at the 11:00 worship, there is a Children’s Chapel. They follow their teachers out for a bible story, crafts, games, and a snack.  Parents can relax and participate in the service.  We recommend Children’s Chapel for 3 year olds through elementary school.

Communion

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (also called Communion or Eucharist) is celebrated the 1^st Sunday of every month.  During Communion, we are renewed and empowered by Christ’s spiritual presence, as well as by the memory of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and promise to return.  Anyone who is baptized may participate.  Normally, we serve communion by intinction (dipping a piece of bread in a common cup of grape juice).

Special Services

In addition to weekly Sunday worship, we have special services throughout the year.  (Check Life at Fairview for dates and times).  These include:

• Ash Wednesday Jazz – A deeply moving (and lively!) worship that marks the beginning of Lent (early spring).

• Maundy Thursday Communion - A quiet, meditative service on the Thursday evening before Easter, utilizing the musical and liturgical style of the Taize Community (late Spring).  Taize worship includes candlelight, prayers, readings, silence, and soft chanting.

• Blessing of Animals – A service of thanksgiving and blessing for animals and their caregivers (early October)

• Blue Christmas – A quiet, prayerful, nurturing worship service for people dealing with loss and grief (mid-December)

• Christmas Eve – A joyful celebration with astounding music, candles, and communion (7PM, December 24)

• Choral Cantatas – Several times each year, our choir performs major religious masterworks (classical and contemporary) at the 11:00am Service