Home : The Voice : December 2002  

Hand Carved Celtic Cross Installed
In Auburn First Presbyterian Sanctuary
At Dedication of New Church Facilities

Another beautiful Celtic cross, hand carved from Kentucky walnut by Berea artisan Jerry Cooper, was first used in worship at First Presbyterian Church in Auburn, Alabama, as a part of the dedication of new building facilities on September 29. The cross is closely patterned after the cross which Cooper, a retired Presbyterian minister, made for the South Frankfort, Kentucky, Presbyterian Church, whose members formulated the design. When Auburn elder Wilbur Tincher shared a copy of the worship bulletin with Alan Sorem, pastor of the South Frankfort church, this was his response: “I think it is truly an act of God’s grace that in these troubled times two congregations can rejoice in the creation of Crosses that serve as the focal point in our respective churches for all that we mean and do.”

Presbyterian Heritage Celebrated in
Jackson, Tennessee

First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Tennessee celebrated Reformation Sunday, October 27, 2002, with the Kirkin’ of the Tartan worship service which asks the blessing of God upon the Church. It is a service of rededication to the heritage and historical faith of the Presbyterian Church.

The Processional was led by the Wolf River Pipes and Drums of Memphis, Tennessee playing Scotland The Brave, The Rowen Tree, and Wings.

The Rev. Dr. John G. Crawford, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Enid, Oklahoma, was guest minister. His topic was “Whose Gospel Is It Anyway?”

Other worship leaders were The Rev. Dr. Dick Neelly, Interim Pastor; The Rev. David L. Bubb, Associate Pastor; Elders Blair Erb and Ray Tanner, and Organist Steve Taranto.

Music and responses for the service dated back to Reformation times. The Prayer of Confession was written by John Calvin. The Affirmation of Faith was from the Scots Confession of 1560, which was the first Reformed Confession in the English language. John Knox and five other colleagues created the confession of faith at the request of the Scottish parliament to be a confession of faith for the church and the nation of Scotland.

The Hymn of Dedication, Will You Come and Follow Me? by Kelvingrove, a traditional melody comes from the Iona Community in Scotland.

The Wolf River Pipers and Drummers concluded the service with the Recessional, Green Hills of Tyrol, and When the Battle is Over. Worshippers enjoyed a catered luncheon afterwards in the dining hall. Entertainment was provided by Eloise Phillips explaining the celebration of the Haggis, Katherine Siochi with Scottish dances and Lauren Gray, singing a Gaelic folk tune.

Santa’s Ministry is Real
For This Presbyterian

For Peter Vanderpool, Presbyterian elder and director of development at Bachman Academy in East Tennessee Presbytery, being Santa in the mall every year is a heartfelt ministry to children. He began this ministry in Wisconsin in 1991, just to do a favor to a friend. Since then, it has become an important part of his life. Every year in April, he starts to grow the beard. He has developed his presentation as a way to teach children about reality, too. (Don’t take candy from strangers or even talk to strangers unless you are with your parents or a group.) Peter says he has never gotten tired of the long days because he loves children and wants to be a messenger of God’s love to them. This year he is at Bradley Square Mall in Cleveland, Tennessee.