Worship

Over fifty years ago our congregation was founded on the premise that we are all called to a life of worship and service and often our calling leads us to new places and new ministries. Our founders responded to God's urging to establish a new church in what was then the growing edge of Rocky Mount and our calling has always been to stay on that growing edge in order to meet the needs of people in our community. The emphasis of Lakeside 's congregational life is on worship, discipleship, involvement in the community and social ministry.

By traditional standards, our worship would be characterized as formal. The Christian year forms the framework of our worship and paraments on the altar and pulpit, along with the minister's stoles, provide us with visual clues about the meaning of our faith. The clergy wear robes and stoles; the choir processes behind a crucifer and the liturgy is crafted to engender a great amount of congregational participation.

At the entrances to the sanctuary, a Deacon welcomes all who enter to worship. If needed, he or she will assist you with a wireless hearing aid or large print hymnals, both of which can be found in the Prayer Room. Worship bags are available for young children and contain a variety of items that will aid a child to have a more meaningful worship hour. The contents of the bag may be taken home by the child while the bag itself is left in the narthex. Children's Church( kindergarten – 5 th grade) is held on the 2 nd and 4 th Sundays. A supervised nursery is available for younger children.

Worship begins as soon as one enters the sanctuary. Soothed by the organ music and inspired by the cross and mosaic surrounding it, each one prepares for worship. This time is to be used for mediation and reflection.

Order of Service

The service begins as the Acolyte brings light to the altar to remind us of Christ, the Light of Life. The Crucifer carries a cross and leads the choir and ministers into the sanctuary during the first hymn as a symbol of God's self-giving love for us.

The congregation is an integeral part of the worship service. They participate in the Call to Worship, singing of the Gloria Patri, the Lord's Prayer, a Corporate Prayer of Confession, the singing of the Doxology and conclude their worship with an Affirmation of Faith.

Following the service, everyone is encouraged to greet those seated around them. The ministers are at the doors to meet you and thank you for attending the service. A time of fellowship follows in the Lehman Courtyard.

No regular evening services are held. Preschool, children and youth groups activities, choirs and dinners are offered. Board and committee meetings frequently meet on Sundays. Often an adult Bible study or a forum concerning matters vital to the life of the church are offered.

Special liturgies that mark life events are also observed during worship including baptisms, family dedications, All Saints Sunday Memorial Service, Journey to Adulthood celebration (youth), Youth Sunday with recognition of graduates and Founder's Day.

The major holy days of the Christian year which include Advent, Christmas Eve, Christmas, Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, the Season of Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday , Resurrection Sunday, the Season of Easter, Ascension Sunday, the Season of Pentecost and World Communion Sunday are observed with special services.

Children's Church

On the 2 nd and 4 th Sundays of each month from September through May, children in kindergarten through grade 5 begin worship with their families in the sanctuary thus acquainting them with the church's worship service. During the singing of the 2 nd hymn, they leave the sanctuary in order to attend Children's Church. This 30 minute activity is designed to help our children better understand worship and its importance for people of every age. Children's Church is led by the Associate Minister.

Communion

Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month except during Advent, Lent and on Founders Day. We also gather at the Lord's Table on Ash Wednesday to begin our journey of Lent and on Maundy Thursday to complete our preparation for Easter. Generally our Deacons serve the congregation in the pews, but we are sometimes invited to come forward to the altar and partake of this holy feast. Anyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ is encouraged to participate even if they are not members of Lakeside .

Family Dedication

Parents are encouraged to have their newborn children dedicated during worship. The family stands at the front of the church and responds to questions asked by the Senior Minister concerning their commitment to raise their child in a Christian home. When they have pledged to do so, the minister then ask the congregation to pledge its support of the family and to offer a prayer on their behalf. The minister then carries the infant down the center aisle of the church, introducing him or her to the church family. Each child is reminded that he or she is special in God's heart and can depend on the congregation to love and encourage him or her throughout life. The parents are given a certificate to commemorate the day and the child is presented with a New Testament.


All Saints Sunday

On All Saints Sunday, we remind persons who have had a loved one to die in the past year that they are not forgotten. A candle is lite in memory of each member who has died in the last 12 months. Prayers and songs are offered in their memory. Congregants are invited to come and light a votive candle in memory of anyone in their life who has died.

Advent

Advent is the joyful season when the Christian world prepares for the coming of the Christ Child. It begins on the 4 th Sunday before Christmas Day and ends on the evening before Christmas Day. A special service is conducted on each of the four Sundays. The paraments on the altar and pulpit, along with the minister's stoles are purple, which are the colors of royalty. An Advent wreath with 3 purple candles and 1 pink candle surround the large white candle. On each Sunday of Advent, a candle is lit and on Christmas Day the white candle is lit representing the birth of Christ.

First Sunday in Advent
11:00 a.m. On this Sunday a service of carols, readings and the decorating of the sanctuary begins the Advent Season. The congregation participates in the “Hanging of the Greens”. Poinsettas, Christmas wreaths and the Creche are placed in the sanctuary. The Chrismon tree fills the window at the back of the sanctuary. The Advent wreath is placed at the front and the 1 st candle is lit.

Second Sunday in Advent
11:00 a.m. A Choral Celebration of Christ's coming is presented. The Chancel Choir performs special music accompanied by a string quartet.
6:00p.m. Members of the congregation gather and take the music of the season to our members who are home bound. Following the caroling, the carolers meet for a time of food and fellowship.

Third Sunday in Advent
11:00a.m. The Chancel choir and Handbell Choir add to the continued joyful celebration by the congregation.
6:p.m. The Candlelite Service is held in the sanctuary. Upon entering each person is given a candle. The Chancel, Youth, Children's and Adult Handbell choirs are featured. Carols are sung. The lights are dimmed and one by one the candles are lit as the congregation sings “Silent Night”. This service represents the darkness in the world until Christ gave us light with His birth. Silently the members leave the sanctuary.

Fourth Sunday in Advent
11:00a.m. The 4 th candle of the Advent wreath is lit. The anticipation of the birth of Christ continues to grow. Carols are sung and special music is presented.

Christmas Eve
6:00 p.m. This is the only time during Advent that communion is given. As one leaves the sanctuary, their heart is filled with joy for the Christ Child will be born that night.

LENT

Lent is one of the earliest and most significant seasons for the Church. For the earliest Christians, it was a time of fasting, prayer and study. Meant to remind us of the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness as he prepared for his earthly ministry, Lent is for us a time of reflection, devotion and confession. It is a time for us to make our own “wilderness” journey toward the Last Supper, the cross and the empty tomb. It is a time of preparation for Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem , His crucifixion and His glorious resurrection. God the Father is in charge bringing victory over the darkest hour. The Lenten season brings us out of the darkness, our sins, into the light of salvation, His forgiveness.

The seasons of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Lakeside has special services for Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Easter morning.

Ash Wednesday – Members meet for a lite supper and then proceed to the sanctuary. Following music and a homily , members come to the altar where they receive the mark of the cross on their forehead. The ashes from last year's Palm Sunday are burned and mixed with oil and are used for this ritual. After receiving communion, the people return quietly to their seats. Silence fills the air as many remain to meditate and all leave in silence, reflecting on the beginning of their journey through Lent.

Palm Sunday This is a day of joy, because it is the celebration of Jesus triumphant entrance. The children lead the procession waving palm branches which they place on the altar. This is a special service filled with music. After the service members gather for a luncheon while the children partake in an Easter Egg Hunt.

Maundy Thursday In complete contrast to Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday is a night of sadness. Once again the members meet for a lite supper. Instead of the happy conversations shared on Palm Sunday, everyone is in a somber mood. After a short homily and communion, the Senior and Associate Ministers place black cloth on the altar and the crucifix.

Easter Sunday Resurrection Sunday begins with a Sunrise Service at Spring Arbor, a local nursing home. Members may choose to attend a city-wide Sunrise Service held at City Lake . The regular schedule of Sunday School is followed. Easter service at Lakeside is a glorious time. Special music by the Chancel Choir, the Handbells and guest musicians add to the joy of this day. Jesus has risen from the grave.

Founder's Day

On the first Sunday of June, Lakeside celebrates Founder's Day. Former members, families and friends gather to relive the beginning of the church which was founded in 1955. Invited guests include former ministers, youth directors and charter members. This is a wonderful time with the sharing of stories about the growth and changes at Lakeside

Following a special service, everyone meets “on the grounds” for a covered dish lunch. The food is outstanding, but even more important is the visiting with old friends. Games are provided for the children during this time. The air is filled with the sounds of laughter and lots of hugs are exchanged.

The Christian Calendar