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Our Worship

     There are many discussions and debates in what we call in the reformed world, the "worship wars."  There are strong opinions and arguments for traditional, "historic" worship (with attention to traditional liturgies, prayers, use of the church calendar, etc.), and for contemporary, "relevant" or "blended" worship (with attention to contemporary music styles, tastes, and culture).

      Equally important is the Reformed argument for the so-called Puritan "Regulative Principle of Worship," that is that the Scripture alone should be our sufficient guide for worship and where it speaks to worship, we should definitely say "Amen!" and where it is silent, should we likewise be.  This approach to the elements of Christian worship is typical of Mennonite, Congregational and historic Baptist churches. This is in contrast to the Anglican and Lutheran position on worship that what is not forbidden in Scripture is allowable for worship.

The Covenantal Principle of Worship

     Rock Presbyterian Church takes a moderating position between the Puritans and Anglicans.  Our philosophy of worship is called the "Covenantal Principle of Worship."  This approach recognizes the sufficiency of Holy Scripture to guide our worship and inform our worship, but it does not view Holy Scripture as a legal text with which to deduce the form of new covenant worship.  For example, the Puritans eschewed observing  the church calendar precisely because there is no command to observe it.  However, Paul commends those who observe special days "unto the Lord" (Rom. 14).  Equally, the Lord Jesus observed a Jewish day of remembrance--Hanukkah-- a day neither mentioned in the Law of God, nor anywhere commanded to be observed (See John 10:22ff).

The Worship Renewal Movement

     In recent days there has been interest in a recovery of the Christian tradition of liturgical worship among Presbyterians.  The Scottish church has always maintained a moderate position between Anglicanism and Puritanism. John Knox's liturgy of worship, Book of Common Orderwhat has now become the Book of Common Order in the Church of Scotland, would never have been acceptable to the English Puritans or the dissenting Presbyterian Covenanters or Seceders of the 1700's in the Church of Scotland.

     In the 1960's, there was a renewed interest in the mainline churches for "high-church worship."  Efforts were made at a common collection of texts for a revised common lectionary in the mainline churches, based upon the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.  There was equally renewed interest away from the "business suit" look for ministers, who were returning to the European wearing of clerical collars and in non-reformed traditions, the use of vestments for priests and ministers. 

     The Reformed churches had always preferred the use of the Geneva or "Academic" gown to identify the ordained Teaching Elder, who had received training (particularly in Biblical languages and theology).  The Geneva gown, accompanied by a stole matching the liturgical season, was worn over the common "cassock," (the parish "house-coat") which is still worn by ministers in the Church of Scotland and by Anglican and some Lutheran clergy.  For two good discussions on the use of clericals and the Geneva Robe:

Renewal at Rock Presbyterian Church

     In the mid-1960's, the re-organizing ministers such as the Rev. Dr. Eichelberger and the Rev. Irvin Gates wore clericals and the traditional Geneva gown.  So too, at Rock Church, Rev. Johnson preaches in the traditional apparel of the reformed churches. In essence, the leadership of Rock Church desired to return to the traditions of Scottish Presbyterianism in their worship and identity as a Presbyterian and Reformed church. 

Covenant Renewal Worship

     The Bible reveals a pattern for how God wants to be worshiped, given first in the Tabernacle-Temple worship of the Old Covenant. With the dawn of the new covenant in Jesus Christ, the promises to God's people are realized and celebrated.  The order of service is quite specific as it reflect the pattern of covenant renewal given in Scripture.  This is what we do week to week: renew our covenant with the Trinity and are reminded that He has done and will do the same for us.

Our Historic Order of Service

  • God Calls Us to Worship
  • God Cleanses His People
  • God Consecrates His People-- the Liturgy of the Word
  • God Nourishes His People-- the Liturgy of the Table
  • God Sends Out His People

     It is our belief that when we gather for worship on Sunday, the new Sabbath, the Trinity calls us to Heaven for worship. In response, we come to Christ in adoration, song, and confession; we are consecrated by Christ in the preaching of the Word and we offer our tithes in response. We confess our faith anew and meet at His Table for spiritual nourishment. In the benediction, we are sent out to disciple the nations.

The Christian Year

     Our preaching is centered on the life of Jesus Christ, as He is the center of Christian worship and the center of redemptive history, hence we find great value in employing and enjoying the Christian year.

     The Christian year begins with Advent (including the twelve days of Christmas), Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week (Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil), and Pentecost.  Equally, we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord, His Transfiguration and Ascension, as well as Trinity Sunday following Pentecost and Reformation Sunday (the last Sunday in October). 

     For interesting discussions on the use of the Christian Year and "ceremonies" in the Church:

The Lord's Table

     We celebrate the Lord's Supper the first Sabbath of the new month.  We invite to the Lord's Table all baptized disciples of Jesus Christ, under the authority of Christ, as governed by the Session of Rock Presbyterian Church.  Rock Church leaves the responsibility of children coming to the table to the heads of household.

      The year that the original building burned at Rock Church, the congregation began construction of her present building (1959).  The architecture of the building itself is a statement of the worship at Rock Church. The building is designed in the shape of the traditional Roman house church, that is, in the fashion of a cross, not like the rectangle Puritan or Mennonite "meeting house."  The chancel is elevated, with the an off-set Pulpit and the Communion Table in center to demonstrate the necessity of both Word and Sacrament as presenting the whole Gospel.  The very architecture of the church identifies with historic Christian worship, identifiable in every major Christian denomination.

     As the trends in worship continue in pop-Evangelicalism, Rock desires that her worship and liturgy serve as a beacon of light to those getting tossed around by the changing fads and worship wars.  Protestant worship has not changed much with regard to form in 400 years.  Some see this as just being "traditional."  When people come to understand what happens spiritually on the Lord's day, historic worship makes much more sense.  We at Rock Presbyterian Church believe God meets us to transform us as we seek to renew our covenant with Him--come join us!

We desire to keep and maintain that tradition of historic, reformed worship as we seek to glorify God in Christ-centered worship by celebrating the Christian year, expositional preaching, regular use of the sacraments and magnifying the doctrines of grace.

 

 

 

 

 

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Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is an everlasting Rock (Isaiah 26.4)