Traditional Worship Service

Sundays 11 a.m. Sanctuary

The traditional worship service at Hidenwood Presbyterian includes the time-honored Presbyterian order of worship, including prayer, music, Bible reading, and a sermon based upon scripture. The Sacraments, a time of personal response/offering, and a sharing of community concerns are also parts of worship. Communion is observed the first Sunday of each month at Hidenwood.

The constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) suggests that worship be ordered in terms of five major actions centered in the word of God (gathering around the word, proclaiming the word, responding to the word, the sealing of the word, and bearing and following the word into the world), but recognizes that "other orders of worship may also serve the needs of a particular church and be orderly, faithful to Scripture, and true to historic principles."

Celebration Worship Service

Sundays 8:30 a.m. Sanctuary

Led by a praise and worship band, our early morning Celebration Service features contemporary songs and drama, and the same liturgy and message as our later service. Wear your jeans!

The Celebration band and worship team is always looking for new members to help lead our 8:30 a.m. worship service. If you like to sing praise choruses and would like to encourage others to sing along--or if you play guitar or another musical instrument--this might be the place for you! Contact: 757-596-1151, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Taizé Worship Service

First Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Chapel

2010: June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, October 6, November 3, December 1

This quiet meditative service modeled after the Taizé community in France, features soft, repetitive music, candlelight, prayers and peace. Come enjoy quiet time for reflection and the comfort of a caring community of worshipers.

Notes on the Taize Community

The Taize Community has become a place of pilgrimage for young people from around the world.  In July 1940 Roger Louis Schutz-Marsauche, a Reformed minister, arrived in the tiny community of Taize in the southeastern part of France, approximately one hundred miles from the Swiss border.  Roger had many doubts about his faith during his seminary years at Lausanne.  In response to this and to the conditions of occupied France, he cast his lot with the poor and disadvantaged.  His dream was to live in a community with others who would practice the essential dimensions of the Gospel in a manner that would offer a response of Christian reconciliation and hope in the face of the horrors of the war.  Brother Roger, as he became known, found a place for such a community in the village of Taize, just north of Cluny.  One thousand years earlier, Cluny had been the site of one of the great medieval monastic traditions of the church.  The community of Taize would draw from this heritage but expand it to fit the needs of a conquered France in search of hope.

Communion is available in your home or hospital room on the first Sunday of each month for those who are sick or unable to come to church. For an appointment: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 757-596-1151.

2010

Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, February 17, 12:15 p.m. and 7 p.m., Chapel

(Light lunch available after the mid-day service)

Palm Sunday

Sunday, March 28, 8:30 & 11 a.m.

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, April 1, 7 p.m.

Good Friday

Friday, April 2, 7 p.m. 

Easter Sunday

Sunday, April 4, 8:30 and 11 a.m.

(Identical services)

Thanksgiving Day Service

Thursday, November 25, 10 a.m., Chapel

Christmas Eve

Friday, December 24, Sanctuary

4:30 p.m. Family Service

8 p.m. Nativity Service

11 p.m.Traditional Candlelight Service with Sanctuary Choir

Blessing of the Animals

 If the attendance at Hidenwood’s first Blessing of the Animals service on October 3, 2009, is any indication, it will likely become an annual tradition. More than 70 dogs and cats attended the service (also one turtle and one bird), accompanied by their human families. Held outside, the animals gathered together, surprisingly well-behaved, to hear guitar music in their honor, and a message by our pastors. Bill and Eleanor then blessed each animal individually. (See photos in our photo gallery) Attendees donated $87 in cash; 120 lbs. dry dog food; 25 cans dog food; 33 lbs. dry cat food; and 26 cans cat food, which was then donated to Tidewater Animal Aid in Hampton, a no-kill shelter. Though many of those who attended the service were Hidenwood families, many other members of the community attended as well. Grab a hankie and read the following letter from a Hampton family:

Letter to Share . . .

Dear Ones, Thank you for “Blessing of the Animals”. Our dear Freddy was a stray I was feeding outside (we had already adopted two stray cats we had inside). Freddy showed up with blood coming from his left ear, eye, nose and mouth. His gums were bleeding and his teeth were loose. The vet said someone beat him up with a baseball bat. After three ear surgeries and assorted patch-ups ($800+), Freddy went from Freddy Free Loader to Fortunate Freddy. He acts more like a dog than a cat, and my husband and Freddy have a very special bond. Thank you for your caring.

Much love and God bless.