FAQ

We’re committed to helping you not feel like an outsider, assuming you want that help. We always have first-timers at Memorial, and we genuinely love it. As you might expect, there will be some music, some prayer, some readings (the congregation, if you’re wondering and want to join in, reads the words in bold print) and some teaching about Jesus and what difference he makes. Feel free to participate actively in our worship or to just listen and observe.

We're a diverse, urban congregation, so our worship reflects that diversity, including both modern and ancient music, all within a liturgical structure. Worship has its climax as we come forward together for communion.

Communion is served every Sunday. When invited, we walk to the front of the sanctuary to receive communion. Regardless, we always give clear instructions, and you can watch those around if you’re not sure what to do. When coming forward for communion, we form lines, so you can get in whatever line is nearby. If you take the bread and wine, you can consume them on the spot, but you’re welcome to take them back to your pew if you prefer. Christians from any denomination are invited to participate in communion—it’s the Lord’s Table, not ours. If you feel you aren’t ready, then you can come forward, just without taking the bread and the wine. (We don’t want you to do anything that’s not true to where you are spiritually.) If you do participate, then you’ll be offered a choice of either communion wine or grape juice. All communion items are gluten free.

Most folks around you will be in their weekend casual. But if you like to dress up, you won’t be alone.

Street parking is available along Alexander Drive. On Sunday mornings, there is 45 degree parking along the southbound side of Skinker Boulevard in front of our building. Additional parking can be found along Wydown Boulevard, the intersection just north of our building.

No. We’re honored to have you among us and expect nothing in return. When our community does give money, it supports the church’s pastors, staff, and ministries as well as local and global ministries we support. A separate Mercy Box hangs on the back wall of the sanctuary — in the ancient tradition of the “poor box” — to collect funds for those in significant financial need.

Our pastors and staff are here to care for you, and if you have questions or needs, please feel free to let us know. But we refer specific counseling needs to trusted friends, colleagues, and professionals. If you would like a referral, please speak with any of the elders or pastoral staff.

Covenant Seminary also offers free counseling, open to anyone, by practicum students finishing their Master of Arts in Counseling. This counseling service is supervised by the seminary’s Counseling faculty and other counseling professionals in St. Louis. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who wants counseling but can’t afford the fees often required by a for-profit counseling center. For more information or to set up an appointment, please call 314.392.4208.

Memorial actively partners with Covenant Theological Seminary and regional presbyteries throughout North America to provide supervised internships, to shepherd, to train and support students. Each internship is individually crafted in an effort to prepare the student for his or her specific area of calling. For more information, contact Connections Pastor Keith Robinson.

The More About Memorial seminar is designed to acquaint you with our church, including our history, beliefs, and convictions and our commitment to being a church for the city. More About Memorial is held as a one-weekend seminar quarterly. It includes a discussion over dinner on Friday night, 6:00-9:00 pm, and several seminar sessions the following Saturday morning, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Childcare is provided for both Friday evening and Saturday morning by request. The seminar involves no expectation of commitment on your part. Contact Connections Pastor Keith Robinson to learn more.