What to Expect at Your First Visit

The Kirk of Kildaire is a Presbyterian church community of faith in Cary, NC.  We are a Christian family where you can feel accepted, safe, and comfortable.

We are all blessed with our newest classroom building where we have more room to grow.  The best way to get a taste of the Kirk is to experience us in person.

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Worship Services

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Your First Visit

Our Location

Worship Service Times and Accommodations

Worship & Sunday School Schedule

Check the home page “This Sunday” link to confirm service times. Also see the “Announcements Page” for changes due to weather or other situations.

9:15 am Sunday School

A class-structured time for children, youth and adults.

10:30 am  Service

Traditional service with music provided by the organist, the Chancel Choir and occasional soloists and instrumentalists. Additional musical groups contribute to the service, from handbells to children’s choirs.  This service is approximately one hour in length.

For more information on all the music programs at The Kirk, please check out our Music and Arts page.

Musicians at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church Cary NC
Psalm 150 leads in worship

Accommodations

See an usher to obtain:

  • Hearing units
  • Large print bulletins and hymnals
  • Children’s bulletins
  • Children’s worship bags

More information on what we offer for children during worship visit our Learn & Grow pages.

Headset for worship services at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Chruch in Cary NC

What To Expect During Worship

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Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Chruch and Sign with Summer Worship time and Children's Center in Cary NC

If the Kirk worship services were put on a scale with traditional worship on one end and contemporary worship on the other, worship at the Kirk would be closer to the traditional end.

We do include a variety of music styles in worship and have a folk music group that offers their gifts in worship at various times throughout the year.

While we have a variety of styles of dress at the Kirk, business casual would probably best describe the majority of worship attendees. You will see fancy dresses, suits and ties, as well as jeans or shorts and flip flops.

Come as you are comfortable.

Gathering and pre-service music

Our service begins with a gathering time just prior to the start of worship where everyone is encouraged to enjoy conversation with their pew neighbors.

Chiming of the trinity

The chiming of the trinity serves to bring our attention to the start of worship.

Opening sentences and time of silence

One of the pastor’s offers a few opening sentences followed by an invitation to a time of brief centering silence. This time of silence is provided as a way for all of us in worship to settle ourselves and prepare our hearts and minds to worship God.

Prelude and lighting of the Christ candles

Our musicians provide a musical greeting, during this time an acolyte comes forward lighting the Christ candles found at the front of the sanctuary.

Call to worship

We stand and say the responsive call to worship that is printed in the bulletin.

Hymn

We sing a hymn after the Call to Worship.

Prayer of confession and proclamation of mercy

Affirming our belief that grace abounds but that sin is still a reality of our daily lives we say a unison prayer of confession printed in the bulletin. This is followed by a proclamation of mercy spoken by a pastor which affirms our forgiveness in Christ.

Passing of the Peace

We offer the same peace given to us through Christ to those around us as we greet our pew neighbors saying, “Peace be with you.”

Hymn of praise

Passing of the Peace is followed by a short sung response of praise.

Time with Children

During this time we invite all the children forward for a children’s message from one of the pastors or occasionally members of the congregation.

After the children’s time children preschool through 5th grade are invited to leave worship and participate in different activities, specific details can be found in the bulletin. As children either depart from worship or return to sitting with their families a response is sung.

Scripture readings and Sermon

We then are offered a scripture reading (two at the 11:00 service), followed by the sermon.

Prayer for Justice

Affirmation of Faith

We join together in affirming our faith by reciting the Apostles Creed (occasionally we affirm our faith by saying other confessions or creeds).

The worship of God with our material Gifts

We return to God a portion of those blessings God has given us through our tithes and offerings.

Joys and concerns, prayers of the people and the Lord’s prayer

Following the offering one of the pastors share known joys and concerns of the congregation, community, and world. They then begin with a time of silent prayer, followed by a spoken prayer, that ends with the congregation joining together saying the Lord’s prayer.

Final hymn and charge and blessing

We join together singing a final hymn, which is followed by a charge and benediction given by the pastor. The pastors and the acolyte then process out of the sanctuary and greet the congregation as they leave worship. The pastors are available for prayer and questions following worship.

Kirk Worship Service Cary

Your First Visit

We’re Glad You’re Here!

Where to Park

Parking Lots

You can reach both the upper and lower parking lots from High Meadow Drive.

Visitor Parking Spots

The Sanctuary (where we worship) is closest to the upper lot. Look for “VISITOR” spots set aside for our newest guests.

Parking Closest to Childcare

Infant and toddler childcare is closest to the upper lot, past the “Visitor” parking spaces.  If you park in a visitor space, walk under the portico, enter the doors to your left and the Greeters will direct you to the nursery wing!

Elevator to Sanctuary

If you enter on the lower level near the community garden, take the elevator upstairs to reach the Sanctuary.

Greeters

You’ll find Greeters at the entrance to the Sanctuary, ready to welcome you to worship or guide you to other parts of the campus.

Welcome Team members are also available to direct you to the nursery and Sunday school areas – don’t hesitate to ask!

Visitor Publications

Check the brochure racks in the Narthex (just outside of the Sanctuary) for an offering of publications that describe the ministries and opportunities awaiting you at the Kirk of Kildaire or ask one of our pastors.

Sunday Bulletin

As you enter the Sanctuary you will receive:

  • Order of Worship Bulletin from an usher to help guide you through the service.
  • The Kirk and You, which lists upcoming opportunities and announcements.
 

Nursery & Toddler Care

We provide childcare for infants and toddlers in the Nursery during the worship services and Sunday School.

The Nursery is located on the main level in the classroom building and is staffed with nurturing and loving childcare workers and volunteers.

We are committed to providing a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for children while their parents worship and learn. [See more under Learn & Grow pages]

Children in Worship

Children of all ages are always welcome to join us in worship. It’s okay if they have the wiggles.

As you enter the Narthex, right outside the Sanctuary, there are Children’s Worship Bags available for children to use during worship.

About 15 minutes into the service children 3 years old and older will be invited to gather at the front of the Sanctuary for the Time with Children. They’ll sit on the steps during an interactive message.

Children who will not remain with their parents for the remainder of the worship service are then led to age-appropriate activities. [See more under Learn & Grow pages]

Where to Sit

Feel free to sit anywhere in the Sanctuary. We have a very state-of-the-art air filtration system but you are also welcome to wear a mask if you feel more comfortable with one.

The Passing of the Peace

When the pastor calls for the “passing of the peace,” everyone spends a moment greeting those around them. Typical greetings include: “Peace,” “Peace be with you,” or “Christ’s Peace.”

Communion Celebration

The Kirk of Kildaire celebrates Communion in different ways. If you are attending worship the first Sunday of the month, Communion will be served. Everyone who is baptized is welcome to receive Communion.

Communion by Intinction

This involves the all those who wish to receive Communion coming forward, receiving the bread and dipping it into the cup (of non-alcoholic grape juice).

The servers will offer some words of affirmation such as “The bread of life given for you,” “The cup of salvation” or “Christ’s blood shed for you.”

If you would prefer to stay seated, please let an usher know and they will have the Communion elements brought to you in your pew.

For Seated Communion

The elements of bread and juice are passed through the Sanctuary by serving Elders. (NOTE: we are currently not offering Seated Communion due to COVID19 safety protocols.

After Worship

Pastors will be on the Patio just outside the building or in the Narthex (the foyer outside of the Sanctuary) and look forward to the opportunity to meet you, so please introduce yourself and mention that you are a newcomer.

During warm weather months there is often a fellowship time on the Porch (just outside of the Narthex).

If you are a first time visitor, please take a welcome bag from the table near the entry door as you leave the Narthex.


If you are interested in becoming a new member, sign-up to attend a new member class.

Children in worship are welcome
Communion at Kirk of Kildaire Worship Service
Communion at Kirk of Kildaire Worship Service
Children are welcome in worship but nursery is available