Worship at Kennedy Heights Presbyterian Church
Diversity characterizes worship activities at Kennedy Heights, just as the sanctuary’s colorful tapestry serves as a metaphor for our core beliefs. Although our formal worship reflects firm grounding in Reform theology and liturgical practice, the message that Christ’s love is for all people manifests itself via active participation from as many members as possible.
We believe that youth are integral participants in worship, from the elementary-school children who sing as part of KHPC Kids, serve as beadles, lighting the Christ candle and pouring the water in the baptismal font each Sunday, as well as leading worship at the Family Christmas Eve Service and Youth Sunday. We believe that joyful noise resonates in many forms: the Gospel Choir, Adult Bells, the Brass Ensemble, guest woodwind players and in-house percussionists, often in conjunction with our own liturgical dancers. A special children’s message from various congregational members often helps preface the subsequent sermon. This article, from renowned theologian Marva Dawn, lists the reasons we believe in the participation of children and youth in worship. Read it here: Why Do I Have to Go To Church? From the lectors of all ages, who read Scripture each Sunday from the pulpit, to lay leaders in the form of ushers and greeters, to the hug-filled Sharing of the Peace and community prayer for ourselves and others, worship is always participatory.
Eagerly anticipated, special worship services include Dixieland band performances every Pentecost Sunday; the outdoor service/picnic every summer at Drake Park; the early-evening, youth-led Christmas Eve service, followed by the candlelit, late-night Scripture/hymn service; and Youth Sunday, Earth Day, Veterans Sunday and Immigration Sunday.
Our Cameroonian members have also shared their music and worship customs on many occasions, including World Communion Sunday. Martin Luther King Sunday is also a special time for KHPC. Distinguished guest speakers on that Sunday have included Marian Spencer, former vice mayor of Cincinnati; Al Gerhardstein, a Kennedy Heights resident, attorney and part of the Cincinnati ACLU; Judge John Burlew, another Kennedy Heights resident; attorney Nathaniel Lampley, Jr; and Mona Bronson-Fuqua, the lead plaintiff in the desegregation lawsuit against the Cincinnati Public Schools.
KHPC has been richly blessed with many other distinguished guest ministers and speakers, including Duane Holm, former Executive Director of MARCC (Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati); Georgine Getty, Executive Director of the Interfaith Hospitality Network; David Lowry, retired Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Cincinnati; Patricia Brown, former National Moderator of the PC(USA); Mark Koenig, formerly the Peace Advocate for the PC(USA) now working at the United Nations; and Vince Patton, a former KHPC member, formerly on the staff of the PC(USA).