Worship in the historic Nave and Chapel
The Love of Christ Proclaimed!
The words of the hymn: “Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,” beautifully state the importance of worshiping Almighty God as we prepare our hearts and minds for all that life brings our way.
At Church Street UMC, worship is a central part of our life together. We gather together as a community to worship God with welcoming and excellent traditions of beautiful classical music, timely liturgies and prayers, holy communion, baptism (all ages), contemporary preaching, and interactive rituals.
Our hope is to experience the mystery and joy of God’s presence so that we can go into the world to share God’s message of love through the witness of our lives.
Worship Services
Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
In Sunday morning worship services at Church Street, we come together to praise God for His greatness and to celebrate the good news of His love for us.
We worship each Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Nave (Sanctuary). Our services focus on liturgy, music, worship and preaching. Holy Communion, open to all, is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month.
The Youth Choir is featured in the early service and the Parish Adult Choir is featured in the later service.
During the school year, Children’s Worship is offered during both Sunday morning services following “Moments with all God’s Children,” a time when children are invited to sit with the clergy on the chancel steps for a message crafted especially for them.
Sundays at 8:30 a.m. on WVLT
Rejoice!, our 30-minute television show, is aired on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. on WVLT-TV.
Each show features a sermon by one of our clergy and offerings from one or more of our choirs, soloists or instrumentalists.
Wednesdays at noon
Our Midweek Communion Service is held at noon in the Chapel. Join us for this brief period of quiet worship at a service which includes readings from the Bible, responsive readings, prayer, a short homily, and the observance of Holy Communion.
The service typically lasts 30 minutes. Lunch follows in room 118. Cost is $8, which includes a salad, dessert and beverage. To help us in planning, please call the church office at 865-524-3048 to make lunch reservations.
Special services throughout the year
Special and seasonal services are offered throughout the year to observe the high holy days of the Christian year, primarily during Advent and Lent.
Rejoice! TV
Join us every Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. on WVLT-TV for our 30-minute program packed with beautiful, uplifting music and a message from one of our clergy.
Past episodes are uploaded to Church Street’s YouTube channel when they become available from the tv station, and can be viewed in their entirety there.
Enjoy our most recent episode of Rejoice!
The Organ
Aeolian-Skinner Pipe Organ
The church’s Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ was originally installed in 1966. Since that time it has been significantly expanded by Randall Dyer & Associates, so that it now has 82 ranks of pipes, almost double the original size.
The Dyer additions include a moveable four-manual console, a new solo division of pipes, and a nine-rank antiphonal section in the rear balcony. The antiphonal section has its own two-manual console and can be played from either console, front or back.
The organ at Church Street was refurbished in 2013 and once again includes French horn pipes as it did in the 1960s.
More information about the organ can be found on the Randall Dyer & Associates website.
