- SUNDAY WORSHIP All are welcome to worship with us each Sunday morning at 11am. Our services follow the Revised Common Lectionary of Scripture readings. We worship in the reformed tradition with an emphasis on preaching, music, and prayers. We recognize all Christian baptisms and invite all who are baptized to participate with us in Communion. Our minister, Will Heyward, is a seminary graduate and has served with us since 1993.
- WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS Join us on the first Wednesday of the month (September-April) for a catered meal and special program. Games for the whole family are from 5pm-6pm. Dinner is at 6pm. A short program follows dinner. The cost is typically about $5.00/adult/youth and $2.00/child age 10 and younger. Visitors eat for FREE! But we need to know that you are coming! Please, call the church office (540-942-4523) by the Friday before the 1st Wednesday of the month to make your reservation or e-mail the church at smyrna@district7.org.
- STEWARDSHIP FAIR Each fall, we sponsor a Stewardship Fair. The Fair is after worship services on Sundays from September through the first week or two of October. Church members and interested visitors are invited to come and see the ministry needs and offerings at our church. Everyone is invited to make there time and talent commitments to the church for the coming year. Come and see what God is doing at Smyrna and find your place in our church!
- CHRISTMAS FAMILIES Each year around Christmas we receive the names of families who cannot afford gifts for one another. These families are contacted and a give us a "wish list" (usually clothes for adults and clothes and some toys for children). This list is posted in the church and families are invited to sign up to purchase the needed items. These are wrapped and delivered to the families.
- ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SERVICES
- ADVENT -- The four Sundays before Christmas Day include the lighting of the Advent Candle and a Seasonal Banner.
- HANGING OF THE GREENS -- This evening program is held after our Wednesday Dinner in early December. We decorate the church together as we prepare us for Christ's birth.
- JOY GIFT/CHOIR CANTATA -- This evening program is usually held on the fourth Sunday of Advent. The choir presents a special music program in celebration of Christ's birth and the Christmas Joy offering is collected. This offering goes to support ministers in need and other special causes.
- CHRISTMAS EVE -- We celebrate communion together and end the evening worship with the lighting of candles as we sing the hymn Silent Night.
- EPIPHANY -- Worship at 7pm. The worship service will include a celebration of the Lord's Supper. A reception will follow the service. (Worship is at 11am when Epiphany falls on a Sunday)
- LENT/EASTER WORSHIP SERVICES Special worship services during these seasons include:
- Ash Wednesday -- We begin the Lenten walk toward Easter with a service of Ashes and Communion.
- The Labyrinth -- A Labyrinth is set up in the social hall throughout Lent to offer a time of prayer and quiet reflection. A Candlelight walk follows our Wednesday dinner in Lent.
- Passion/Palm Sunday -- The children process in with Palm branches.
- Maundy Thursday -- This service includes a foot washing for all who wish to participate, a celebration of the Lord's supper, and the stripping of the church.
- Good Friday -- This service includes the procession of the cross and the Solemn Reproaches of the Cross.
- Easter Vigil -- This service is one of the oldest celebrations of the Christian Church. The congregation renews its baptismal covenant and celebrates the Lord's supper together. The paschal candle is processed into the church and will be lit each Sunday in Easter thru Pentecost and then at every baptism or funeral/memorial service throughout the year. It is a joyful celebration of the resurrection of Christ.
- Easter Worship -- Our 11 o'clock worship.
- Asension Day -- This service falls on the fortieth day after Jesus' resurrection. It celebrates Christ's ascension into heaven to assume his lordship over the world. This service includes a celebration of the Lord's Supper.
- Pentecost -- The day of Pentecost comes on the fiftieth day after Jesus' resurrection. It celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church.
- ALL SAINT'S DAY WORSHIP This worship service is held at 7pm on All Saint's Day, November 1, of each year. During this service, we remember the Saints of Smyrna who haved died and now live with Christ. We give thanks to God for the life they shared with us and their new life in Christ. Members are encouraged to lend photos of these saints which are scanned and used during the worship service during prayer. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is celebrated during worship as well.
- VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Hang on to your hats! This is not your mother's Bible school. Each year, we pack in the children and adults for an exciting week of learning and play. The building is transformed into a different world with extensive decorations. We involve parents and friends to help plan and lead the week's activities. There are classes for adults and even a special class for Middle and High School Youth. For information on our latest Vacation Bible School click here.
- CHILDREN'S CHURCH Children ages 4 to 8 years old are invited to join us for their own special worship service each week. After a blessing in regular worship, all children ages 4 to 8 who wish to attend children's church are taken to their own worship center. They hear a story based on the lectionary reading for the day and participate in activities related to that story.
- S.S. BIBLE EXPLORATION We have an exciting educational program for children and Youth, Grades 1-5. When you come on Sunday morning, the children and youth go to one of four learning centers such as Computer lab, Bible Exploration, Drama/Puppetry/Music, or Video. Each center is a place to explore the Bible story of the month. When you come the next week, your team will go to another center and explore the same Bible story through another medium! Each month we will begin a new rotation on a new Biblical story. Each center will be a unique and fun place to learn. For example, in the video center room we have put theater seats on risers around the screen. Come join the fun in learning! For more information, click here.
- MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL CLASS This class is for middle school through high school students (Grades 6-12). It meets weekly during Sunday School.
- ACOLYTES Older children and youth can participate in lighting candles during special events throughout the church year. An Acolyte comes forward during the prelude at the beginning of worship to light the paschal candle during the seven weeks of Easter and other special times. After the service, He or she puts the candle out and processes out with the light.
- CHOIR Adults and High School youth make up our volunteer choir. They practice weekly on Wednesday nights thoughout the year. We have a paid, part-time Music Director / Organist on staff. The choir participates in worship each week with a Psalm and an anthem. They also prepare special music for the Hanging of the Greens each year at Christmas, a cantata and participate in other special events.
- HANDCHIME CHOIR We have a handchime choir for ages 12 through adult. They currently meet to practice on Sunday mornings at 9am. They prepare pieces to use in worship.
- NO STRINGS ATTACHED! The puppets are coming! The puppets are here! Smyrna sponsors an active puppet ministry. We make most of our own puppets and write most of our own scripts. We perform with "Worship Puppets" during worship ocassionally and do special shows at church during the year. High School age through adults are invited to join us. For more information click here.
- CHURCH LEAGUE SOFTBALL In the last few years, we have joined with the Pisgah Church to form a joint co-ed softball team. They participate in league play and also played in a tournament to raise money for Weekday Religious Education. They know how to play hard and to have fun. Older youth through Adults play on this team.
- COMMITTEES We have six standing committee at Smyrna; Worship, Witness, Property, Education, Finance, and Fellowship. Three members of the Finance Committee are elected by the congregation for a three year term. Three are appointed by the session. All other committees take interested volunteers from the congregation. Committees usually meet monthly.
- WOMEN'S CLASS This class meets during Sunday School. Several members rotate teaching. The lessons are studied and discussed.
- ADULT FELLOWSHIP CLASS This class meets during Sunday School. Several members rotate teaching. Both men and women attend. The teaching member brings a breakfast for everyone (such as doughnuts). The class sits around a table rather than in rows of chairs.
- YOUNG ADULT CLASS This class, The Pathfinders, meets on Sunday mornings at 9:45am. All interested persons ages 18 to ??? are invited to participate in this group. Join us for discussion and discovery on a variety of Biblical texts and topics.
- SUMMERLEE We participate in a joint mission project in West Virginia. In 2002, we sent 8 persons to help repair houses for people who could not afford to have the work done. The participants go for 5 days in the summer with several other Presbyterian Churches in the area.
