Our worship

Our services are a mix of traditional and contemporary. You'll find

• guitars, bass, drums along with piano and organ accompanying the music.
• traditional hymns along with modern worship songs & choruses.
• a children's talk followed by a time apart for junior kindergarten (age 4) through high school (see below)
• a message rooted in scripture that will help you understand how God would have us live.
• an opportunity to give thanks, share needs and have those needs prayed for
• an opportunity over refreshments after the service to chat with friends old and new

On January 4, 2026 Pastor James began a new series on the general theme of Spiritual gifts: mine, yours, and ours, asking the question: What are God’s gifts to you?

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper (otherwise know as Communion) is celebrated on the following dates: the first Sunday of March, June, October, and December at the morning service, and at the evening service on Maundy Thursday (the evening before Good Friday). Two Pastoral Care communion services take place annually, usually on a Tuesday afternoon, one in the spring and one in the fall, for those who have difficulty getting to the regular services; these are followed by a tea, and rides can be arranged, Virtual communion, celebrating the sacrament during a livestream service when in-house communion takes place, is encouraged. This was initiated during COVID and when in-house worship resumed the practice was continued for those who worship online. Info on how to prepare to celebrate The Lord's Supper at home can be found here. Those celebrating online are asked to notify the office of their participation.

The site on which Parkwood Church gathers for worship and fellowship is within the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people. Read the Presbytery of Ottawa's land acknowledgement statement here  (pdf format).

Our music

Parkwood's musicians and singers meet regularly for rehearsals under the leadership of Dianne Smith at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings in the sanctuary; practice usually ends around 9:00. The selection of music in our worship services is varied, encompassing both traditional and more contemporary styles. Soloists, small groups and instrumentalists often provide special music for our worship services and other events. If you have some musical gifts you'd like to share, or even if you're not sure of your gift and would like to try us out, please join us any Thursday evening, to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord".   (NOTE: the singers are on summer break during July and August; practices will resume in September)

Church School etc.

A nursery room is available for parents/caregivers of children 3 and under. An audio feed from the sanctuary enables those in the nursery to listen to the service.

Church School is provided during our morning worship for pre-school (age 2) through high school. The service starts with everyone worshipping in the sanctuary and after the children's story the children go to individual classes.

A safe environment

When you enter Parkwood church you can expect a safe environment for yourself, your children, youth or vulnerable adults. For more information on our Leading with Care policy click on the image below.