BUTLER TWP — Worship, song, laughter and, of course, lots of food, were included in an outdoor event Sunday that saw seven local Presbyterian churches join together at Alameda Park.

Worship Without Walls has been an annual event at Hill United Presbyterian Church for about 25 years, but six other churches were asked last year to join the event.

In addition to Hill U.P., Covenant, East Butler, Faith United, North Butler, Saint Andrews and Trinity Presbyterian churches held their Sunday morning worship service at 10:30 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge near the Alameda pool. About 160 people attended.

The Rev. Merry Meloy, pastor at Saint Andrews U.P. Church on East Jefferson Street, said she appreciates the invitation to the unique event.

“It's important to get together with other people of faith and look beyond our own four walls,” Meloy said after the service as she sat down her plate of homemade salads and casseroles.

She said Saint Andrews joins with Hill in other activities, like musical events and special happenings for youths.

“We are so grateful to Hill U.P. (for coordinating Worship Without Walls),” Meloy said. “It's a lot of work.”

The longtime Hill member who worked to coordinate Worship Without Walls is Ruth Scott, who is the chairman of her session's nurture committee.

Scott zipped around the Masonic shelter during the service to prepare for the hungry worshippers, who descended on a buffet table that stretched nearly the entire length of the shelter after the benediction.

Scott explained that Hill provided the shelter, hot dogs, buns and paper products. Covenant provided the soft drinks, North Butler the service's music, and the Saint Andrews' congregation members brought the desserts, which tantalized worshippers on another large table at the shelter.

All who attended were asked to bring a dish to share.

Scott admits that coordinating the gathering to accommodate seven churches is a big undertaking, but she's not complaining.

“There are a lot of good, willing hands and wonderful volunteers,” Scott said.

She stressed that Worship Without Walls is not an exclusive service.

“We welcome anybody,” Scott said. “You don't have to be a member of one of the churches.”

She designated Sunday's event as the highest attended yet and declared all the hard work worth the result.

“Just seeing the people who come from other churches and everyone just so cheerful and happy,” Scott said of her favorite aspect. “And everyone is willing to pitch in.”

The Rev. William Jackson, Hill's interim pastor, gave a sermon in which he discussed cell phones, God's grace, the difference between a hymn and an anthem and preaching with Martin Luther King Jr. many years ago.

Three times he led the congregation in impromptu songs, including “Amazing Grace.”

Although his tenure at Hill will end in a few weeks, Jackson said he is thrilled to have been a part of Worship Without Walls.

“All of the churches getting together should happen more often,” Jackson said. “This is a real joy.”

Alan Free, the trumpet player and bass singer in the Four for Christ musical group, was happy to help provide the music.

“I guaranteed them last week that it wasn't going to rain today,” Free joked.

Free said he hopes the musical strains of the service or the amplified sermon reached someone in the playground next to the shelter or walking their dog in the park.

“Maybe they'll go to church, or go back to church,” Free said.

Leroy Edinger, who has been a member of Hill for about two decades and is on the nurture committee, enjoys hearing the members of the various churches laughing together after the service as they enjoy a meal.

“I just like everyone getting together,” he said.

Carol Landis and Karen Pressler, who are members of Saint Andrews, also enjoyed their second Worship Without Walls.

“It's really nice,” Landis said. “There's a lot of participation and there are talented singers.”

Landis made her signature Scandinavian almond cookies.

“It's great for everyone to get together and meet others from the other churches,” she said.

Pressler, who is a lifelong member of Saint Andrews, enjoys experiencing an outdoor service.

“It's nice to join with the other congregations and see how much we all have in common,” she said.

Audrey Nossokoff, who has been a member of Hill for about 60 years, said she, too, appreciates the outdoor service.

“I love it,” said Nossokoff, who enthusiastically clapped along with a bluesy version of “This Little Light of Mine.” “It's informal, and you get to see people you haven't seen in ages.”

When asked about her favorite part of the event, the spry senior citizen summed up the thoughts of everyone who attended Worship Without Walls on Sunday.

“The joy,” she said. “Definitely the joy.”