Sunday School
@ 9:30 am
Sunday Worship
@ 11:00 am
Worship at Parkway
Parkway offers one worship service each week at 11:00 A.M.
- Worship is participatory and authentic. The congregation, choir, and pastors all take part in making the service whole.
- The service moves from music, to prayers, to scripture, a sermon, back to prayers and music.
- Our volunteer choir (with a few paid singers who are students at the local universities) leads the congregation in singing.
Parkway does not have video screens because there is no good place to put them. Once you see the worship space you will know why. Sometimes worship will be described as “traditional,” or “contemporary,” or “blended.” We would say, “Yes, our worship covers all of those.”
The entry leads to a standing cross. Just beyond the cross is the baptismal font, the communion table, and the pulpit. These symbols of the faith are aligned in architecture as they should be in faith.
The seating arrangement is stadium-like; there are pews, but tiered seating allows everyone a clear view of the room. Parkway also has kneeling benches at each pew, an unusual feature in a Presbyterian Church. Those who wish to are encouraged to kneel for the prayers during worship.
Six copper reliefs surround the sanctuary as an artistic expressions of great events of the Bible.
Music plays a leading role in worship. In the sanctuary we have a pipe organ, piano, harpsichord, and hand bells.
Music in worship is a form of prayer. The guiding principle for our music is that it helps us draw closer to God.
Most of the music in worship is congregational singing. We do use songbooks as the shape of our sanctuary does not lend itself to project music or images onto a screen. We try to avoid the categories of "traditional" or "classical" or "contemporary", as not really very helpful. Music that is spiritually engaging, well prepared, and well presented is our criterion.
Our music is led from the keyboard - either organ or piano, depending on the musical style. For special services, we bring in other instruments including guitar, trumpets, trombones, and drums. Our choir members wear robes until the South Texas heat gets too be too much. The robes help identify the singers leading worship.
Nursery
Connie Tamez and Roxanne Downing provide care for children from newborns up.
When you leave your child in the nursery you will be given a pager in case there is a need to contact you. The nursery has four areas, a play area for the smallest children, a crib room for the nappers, a playroom for the older children, and an outside play area that is shaded with a rubberized padded surface for softer landings if anyone falls. There is a changing area with a sink and a bathroom in the nursery.
