One Church, One Service, One Summer
By Pastor Ellis White
Senior Pastor
There’s something about our one-service Sundays.
The room is full. The singing is louder. There’s laughter in the lobby, kids darting between grown-ups, and people from different generations and worship preferences coming together. It’s electric—but not just because it’s crowded. It’s meaningful. It’s unifying.
Over the past couple of years, we’ve heard the same feedback again and again:
“I love seeing all the generations together.”
“It just felt like we were one church.”
“That was special—we should do that more often.”
So much so that it got us thinking:
What if we did it for the whole summer?
After prayerful discussion and unanimous support from our Session, we’ve decided that from Sunday, July 6 through Sunday, September 14, we will gather for one worship service at 10:00 am each Sunday.
This is a decision rooted in both joy and stewardship.
Unity and Momentum
The feedback from our previous single-service Sundays has been overwhelmingly positive. These moments of shared worship seem to do something deep in us—reminding us that before we are a “classic” congregation or a “modern” one, we are a Chapel Hill family. They offer us a picture of what it means to be united in Christ, not just in belief, but in practice. And as many of you have said, a service that blends liturgical depth with fresh, Spirit-led expression feels like the truest reflection of who we are becoming as a worshiping people.
Space and Rest for Our Teams
We’re also in a season of transition as we actively search for a new Worship Arts Director and Production Director. Our existing team has gone above and beyond to maintain excellence while carrying extra weight. This summer shift allows us to honor their effort by giving them a more manageable rhythm while we continue the search for the right leaders.
A Season of Listening
This summer is not about making a permanent change—but it is about creating space to listen. To one another. To the Spirit. To what God might be saying about the kind of worshiping community he’s shaping us to become. We remain committed to honoring the rich diversity of worship styles within our church, and we want to walk thoughtfully and prayerfully toward whatever God has next.
More details will be coming in the weeks ahead, but for now, I hope you’ll begin to pray with us:
That God would use this summer to deepen our love for one another, renew our passion for worship, and reveal his vision for the road ahead.
I can’t wait to be in the room with all of you. One church. One service. One summer.
Gratefully,
Pastor Ellis