Worship

Creative worship is a centerpiece of weekly life.   From jazz, to Gospel, traditional hymns and organ, to conga drums, saxophone and tambourine, our varied musical styles draw from the rich traditions of participants. Set in our 1873 Gothic building, our worship reflects both the rich tradition of the Presbyterian Church USA and embraces new resources and technologies such as power point projection, drama and art.

Praise God with your heart, mind and soul.

Pastor: The Reverend Judy Lee Hay, M.Div.

The Reverend Judy Lee Hay is the primary preacher for Sunday worship and brings the Bible alive with examples of how the Bible speaks to every day life. It is not unusual for our pastor to involve the congregation in dialogue on a key aspect of the scriptural text, find ways to dramatize the text or to use power point clips to enhance the message. CSA follows the lectionary text set out by the denomination so the day’s theme reflects the scripture. Hymns and musical selections are based on the theme as well as creative aspects of the worship service.

OUR CALL

As a vivid reminder that we are all called to be ministers in the name of Christ to “preach good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom to the prisoners, recovery of sight to the blind, and to release the oppressed” (Luke 4: 18-19) lay people take an active role in leadership. Laity read the scriptures in worship and lead the prayers of the people, give personal testimony and on occasion preach.

THE SACRAMENTS

In the Presbyterian Church two sacraments are celebrated: Baptism and the Lord's Supper

BAPTISM

Baptism is a sign of God’s love. In that love a child or an adult is embraced as good and whole. The community covenants with the child and parent is to nurture that person’s faith development. In infant baptism we encourage parents to take an active role in the church community and to be partners with the church in the religious education of their child. In adult baptism the person commits her or his life to Christ. Through God's grace in Christ we are made new.The sacrament of Baptism occurs several times a year for both adults and children. Contact staff@calvarystandrews.org for further dialogue on baptism.

THE LORD’S SUPPER

Reformer John Calvin celebrated weekly the Lord’s Supper, a rich part of the Presbyterian Heritage that Calvary St. Andrew’s embraces. In an act of commitment to Christ worshippers gather weekly around the Lord’s Table to share in receiving the bread and wine or grape juice. Christ’s spiritual presence is rich and sustains us as we break bread and share the cup in Christ’s name for it fills our hearts with God’s generosity. 

Join us for weekly communion

MUSIC

The choir, soloists, and musicians give their hearts to God each week as new music is introduced and old favorites lifted up under the direction of the Director of Music Donald Tirabassi. Pianist Sun Young Lee accompanies the choir. Several times a year recording artist Brian Soule brings his vocals and synthesizer and his vocals to accompany the choir or to lead our music in worship. Among our other guest musicians are Bill Welch, Connie Deming, and Deanna Witkowski.

ALL THAT JAZZ

All That Jazz” is a series of jazz services both inside the church and in our courtyard that give us an appreciation for the genius of musicians such as John Coltrane and Thelodius Monk. The Touch of Brass Jazz Ensemble, a group of dedicated Christian musicians join us yearly for a toe tapping hand clapping celebration of hymns. Led by Dick and Helen Lane Touch of Brass travels throughout Western New York bringing jazz into churches. In the past the Deanna Witkowski Trio from New York City stopped in to lead us in Sunday Worship when they were in town for the Rochester Jazz Festival. Deanna’s song “Let My Prayer Rise” is a community favorite.    

TOUCH OF BRASS AT CSA 

East Rochester High School Ensemble accompanied the choir our Thanksgiving service

HEALING SERVICES

The ancient rite of the laying on of hands in a healing service is a ritual valued by our community. Several times a year in Sunday worship and in mid-week services a healing service is offered whereby participants receive the laying on of hands and the oil of healing. The Bible is filled with examples of Jesus' healing, so we call on Christ to heal those we love.

Special requests for healing can be made to the pastoral staff.

Each spring we lead a healing service for the earth.In the laying on of hands for the oil of healing we ask Christ to heal the earth.

The labyrinth was used in our healing service as a meditative way to enliven spirituality.

Massage therapist  brings healing touch to the healing service. Poem  “Let Us Remember” by Hugh Mitchell
Hold back the heat of the day
and darkness of night.

Let the air be pure
as our ancestors knew
and the waters we drink
come clean and clear.

Bring back the species in decline
and let us remember those that are gone.

Bring back the trees
which died by acid streams.

Make the rain just rain again
and oceans fresh and free.

May we know what we have done
to our multiple selves
in the magnitude of our folly

so this blue place called planet Earth
may know again the freshness of its birth.

Hugh Mitchell       2002                         

CSA Choir under the direction Don Tirabassi presnt Christmas Cantata.

CSA draws a diverse group of people to worship and praise God from the neighborhood and the metropolitan area. Each person gives of his/her time and talent to serve Christ. Dress is causal or dressy depending on the visitor's comfort.

CSA celebrated Valentine's Day with a special blessing for couples and to celebrate our relationship with Christ.

Mildred Anderson shares a fellowship meal with an aquaintance.Every worship service is followed by a fellowship time in the Dorothy Chapel.

CREATIVE WORSHIP

    GOOD FRIDAY DRAMA

                           Youth in drama on Good Friday

TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE FLOWERS

In memory and in thanksgivng for friends members and friends donate for Easter flowers that are enjoyed and then planted in the church courtyard.

PSALM 98

O sing to the LORD a new song,
         for God has done marvelous things.

  CONFIRMATION EASTER MORNING

After a six month study four of our young people made a commitment to Christ and joined the church. It\'s exciting to see themenjoy church and look forward to being with their friends. A community teaches values that stay with us for a lifetime.

OUTDOOR WORSHIP AND CHICKEN BBQ

The last Sunday in June we moved outdoors in our lovely courtyard to celebrate the gifts of nature.

The theme "An Attitude of Gratitude" formed the backdrop to a creative spirit filled service featuring musician Brian Soule and the CSA choir under the direction of Don Tirabassi. After worship everyone stayed for a scruptuous chicken BBQ with all the trimmings.