Kirk News Headlines
Last chance to reserve your spot for the Kirk Couples Toast an End to Winter event on March 13! Click here for details and RSVP information.
Wonderful Wednesdays continue through March 24! Join our Lenten Study Series, Missional Jesus, along with dinner (by reservation). Click here to learn more.
Join our follow-up study of the Missional Church (using Reggie McNeal's book, Missional Renais-sance) on Sundays @ 10:30 a.m.
Click here for more information.
If you missed Mayor Dave Bing's presentation at the Kirk on February 19, audio CDs are available in the Adult Ministry Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What types of Services do you offer?
The Sanctuary Service is a formal worship experience every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. (first Sunday after Labor Day through mid-June) and at 11:00 a.m. year-round. You’re invited to a coffee hour between the two services (held outdoors on the front patio during the summer months, and in Heritage Hall directly below the Sanctuary from mid-September through mid-June), where you’ll meet the pastors and chat with Kirk members over coffee and snacks. Visit the information tables to learn more about the Kirk’s ministries, mission projects, youth and family programs, events, concerts and more!
The St. Andrew’s Service is a 9:00 a.m. worship service for people of all ages (first Sunday after Labor Day through mid-June), held in an informal atmosphere in the Refectory at the west end of our campus. The service is often complemented
with featured vocalists, instrumentalists, and our youth choirs. Many families with children attend this service. You are invited
to the St. Andrew’s Café, which is held following the service just outside the Refectory, where you’ll meet the pastors and have
the chance to learn more about the life of the Kirk over coffee, lemonade and snacks. All generations, from grandparents to young toddlers, enjoy this lively fellowship time after the St. Andrew’s service.
The Cedarholm Chapel Communion Service is held the first Sunday of
each month at 8:00 a.m. This is a short, welcoming worship service with communion, hymns and a brief meditation. The Cedarholm Chapel is located in the Kirk House at the center of the campus. 
The Taizé Worship Service is held September through May on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Melrose Chapel. This service is a quiet, meditative candlelight service that features simple hymns, scripture readings, a period of silent meditation and prayers of intercession. This style of service is a special way to become more peaceful and connected to God. 
The Summer Garden Service is held on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m.
in the Columbarium garden from mid-June through Labor Day. This 45-minute family service, followed by fellowship and refreshments under the umbrellas on the front patio, allows young and old to worship outdoors
in the beauty of our gardens during our glorious Michigan summers. (In case of rain, the service will be moved to the Sanctuary).
Special services are held throughout the year on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
Where is the best place to park?
If you plan to attend the Sanctuary service, it’s best to park at the east end of the campus adjacent to the Sanctuary. If you plan to attend the
St. Andrew’s service (or if you have small children), it’s best to park at
the west end of the campus, closest to the Refectory (where the St. Andrew’s service is held) and Sunday School classes/Nursery check-in. We have a diagonal row of parking spaces reserved for families with
small children (look for these signs) at the southwest corner of the campus, closest to both the Nursery/Toddler entrance, and the
Sunday School entrance. For a campus map, click here.
Where do I take my children to register for Sunday School? Where are their classrooms?
During the school year (first Sunday after Labor Day through mid-June), see below:
Registration
Infants/toddlers: Nursery, Abbey 24 (second floor of the Abbey)
Preschool (ages 3&4): Galilee classrooms (corridor to the Refectory)
Kindergarten: Abbey 11, first floor of the Abbey
Elementary: Reception Desk, first floor of the Abbey
Middle School: Reception Desk, second floor of the Abbey
Infants and toddlers (birth to 24 months) will love our safe, nurturing care in the Nursery (Abbey 24, second floor of the Abbey). Parents should allow plenty of time to enroll their little ones while meeting our greeters and nursery staff. Pagers are available for added peace of mind. Infant/toddler care is offered during the St. Andrew's service in the Refectory (9:00 a.m.) or during the Sanctuary service (9:00 or 11:00 a.m.), as well as during the Adult Education Classes between services.
Preschool children (ages 3 & 4) enjoy an age-appropriate introduction of worship through songs, stories and crafts in a loving environment of sharing and caring. Classes are held in the Galilee classrooms located in the corridor leading to the St. Andrew’s service (Refectory). Signs are posted by age on the doors during the 9:00 a.m. services; a combined class is held in Galilee 2 during the 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary service.
Kindergarten children take part in our inspiring Children and Worship program designed to introduce them to the practice of worship through traditional Bible stories in a classroom setting. Class is held in Abbey 11 (first floor of the Abbey) during the 9:00 a.m. Sanctuary service, or the 9:00 a.m. St. Andrew's service in the Refectory.
Elementary children (grades 1-5) experience an exciting educational program called Journeys. There's something for every child's interest and learning style! The rotating schedule keeps it fresh (games, art projects, movies, drama and outreach). Sign in your child each week by grade at the registration table on the first floor of the Abbey; your child will attend the first 15 minutes of the worship service with you, then a “shepherd” will escort the children to the appropriate classrooms. Journeys classes are held during the 9:00 services (St. Andrew's service in the Refectory or the Sanctuary service). A combined class for grades K-5 is held in God's Garden during the 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary service (sign-in at Abbey 19).
Middle school children (grades 6-8) attend Mid-High Journeys of Faith, where they study inspiring theories and motivating applications in a traditional classroom-style setting. Enjoy a mini-brunch before class and bring your thought-provoking questions! Classes are held in Abbey 28 during the 9:00 a.m. services.
Do you offer Adult Education Classes?
Between services, you are welcome to attend our Adult Education Class (featuring a variety of relevant topics) in the St. Andrew’s Room (west end of the campus, just outside the Refectory), or Between Services Bible Study in Abbey 28. Childcare for infants/toddlers is provided in the Nursery in Abbey 24, for children ages 3-5 in Galilee 2, and for grades K-5 in Abbey 13.
How should I dress?
We want you to feel comfortable when you visit the Kirk. You will find a mix of styles, from casual, to business casual, to suit and tie. Dress in the St. Andrew’s service is a bit more relaxed than the Sanctuary service. You’ll find the dress for our Summer Garden service to be suitable for sitting on folding chairs and even picnic blankets on the grass!
What is the “Passing of the Peace” during the St. Andrew’s service?
When the Pastor calls for the Passing of The Peace, the congregation takes a moment to greet those around them. It’s appropriate to shake hands, and greet one another with “Peace be with you,” “Peace of the Lord,” or “Christ’s peace.”
How is Communion celebrated? Should I take part in Communion if I am not a member of the Kirk?
In the Presbyterian Church, the sacrament that Christ instituted for the remembrance of him takes the form of a simple meal – a sharing of bread and wine (unfermented). Anyone who loves Jesus is welcome to share in the Communion service, even if you are not a member of the Kirk. During the St. Andrew’s service, ushers will direct you to come forward to receive Communion by the center aisle and return to your seats by the side aisles. When you receive the bread, a pastor will say, “The body of Christ, given for you.” When you receive the wine, a pastor will say, “The blood of Christ, shed for you.” When the elements of communion have been received, it is appropriate to respond, “Amen.” In the Sanctuary service, trays containing the bread and wine are passed down each row while the congregation remains seated.