Sunday in the Sanctuary
Sunday in the SanctuarySunday Worship at Erin is a unique blend of traditional Reformed liturgy, contemporary music, prayers of the people, and other elements.
Rather than segregating communities of worshipers by taste (traditional, “praise & worship“, etc), we have chosen the more difficult path: inclusiveness and openness to a variety of worship styles and tones within the context of a single family of faith.
We encourage you to experience it for yourself.
Communion (The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper) is celebrated the first Sunday of each month and at special liturgical times during the year.
Got Kids?
Our professionally-staffed nursery opens at 9:30 am to welcome children up to two years old.
Planet Worship is Erin’s Children’s Church program for children ages 4 years old through 4th grade. Children attend worship with their parents for the first half of the service. After the family sermon and Praise Song, children are dismissed to Planet Worship, which is held in the Family Life Center.
This program is designed to teach our children why we worship and how we worship. Find out more.
Erin offers a rich program of Christian education on Sunday mornings for learners of every age.
Whether you are in preschool, grades K-12, or an adult, you’ll find a class eager to welcome you. Find out more.
Outreach
Erin is a warm and welcoming congregation, and we’re proud of the way we look out for our fellow members. But a few years ago we wondered if we might be neglecting an important part of Jesus’ calling. Maybe we were focused too much on what was happening inside our walls, and not enough on the needs of people outside our walls?Most of our mission and outreach involved sending checks—which helps, of course—but investing ourselves and connecting with our community and the wider world is important.
Today a blessing box sits outside our main entrance for anyone who needs food. Just inside, a bulletin board highlights our outreach efforts not only in Knoxville but in far-flung places like Guatemala and Madagascar.
Every month we offer a chance for members and friends to share God’s love and hope by serving at a food pantry, buying seeds so families in rural Appalachia can grow food, donating warm blankets and socks for unhoused members of our community, or learning more about our twenty-plus mission partners so we can support them more effectively. We belong to Justice Knox, working with other congregations to help solve issues that affect us all.
Today we’re proud to be a congregation that cares for its members, but also gladly accepts God’s call to care for the world, as well. Click here to find out more about Outreach opportunities.
Youth Groups
Erin’s youth groups explore what it means to follow Christ in today’s complex world. On Sunday nights, our youth meet to discuss important questions together and bring Jesus’ perspective to the decisions they make every day. There’s fun, opportunities for service, and serious study, too. Both groups also participate in outreach events, lock-ins, and retreats.
Middle School Youth Group meets Sundays 4:45-5:45 pm.
High School Youth Group meets Sundays 5:45-7:00 pm.
Erin’s Creative Expressions ministry began in 1995, and is still going strong after more than 2 decades. Current programs include:
- Such is the Kingdom (musical performance group for grades K-5)
- Sonshine Company (musical theater group for grades 1-6)
- Journey 7 (drama performance group for grades 7-10)
- Dayspring Dance Ensemble (liturgical dance group for grades 6-12)
- Erin Youth Players (musical theater for grades 7-12)
Erin is also proud to be a creative partner with The WordPlayers, Knoxville’s renowned Christian theater company.
Visit us this Sunday.