Why Are We Here?
We believe that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We do this by striving to love God and to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40).
What Kind of Church is Rowan Pres?
Rowan is a member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC).
What to expect in Sunday morning worship?
It is our desire for corporate worship to be both transcendent and immanent. In other words, the worship calls us to think of both God who reigns from on high as well as God who has drawn near to us.
Our worship begins with a response call to worship followed by the singing of a psalm from the ARP Psalter. We also sing a variety of hymns, both historic and new. Congregational singing is typically accompanied by piano, but guitars are also used from time to time.
The focal point of the worship service is the reading and preaching of God’s Word. This is a primary means of grace for God’s people. We are committed to the Word of God being preached both passionately and correctly.
What is the Order of the Worship Service?
We believe that God ought to be worshiped in the manner that He desires and not from the imaginations of men. Therefore, we strive to include elements of worship that God has prescribed in the Bible and avoid all acts that are not prescribed in the Bible. We believe nine elements need to be included in every corporate worship service.
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The Call to Public Worship
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Prayer
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Reading the Holy Scriptures
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Preaching and Hearing the Word
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Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
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Tithes and Offerings
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Confessions of Faith
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Sacraments
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Benediction
For more information, the ARPC has a Directory of Public Worship
What is a Presbyterian?
The word “Presbyterian” comes from the Greek word “presbuteros”. This word is translated “elder”. The congregation elects men from within the congregation to lead the church.
What is a Reformed Church?
The term reformed means to be continually striving to align our lives with the calling of Christ. In the 16th century, the reformation’s motto was “Semper Reformanda” or “Always reforming”. We desire to “always be reforming” by continually striving to bring our faith and practice into conformity to God’s revealed will as it is found in His Holy Word.
It is our desire for corporate worship to be both transcendent and immanent. In other words, the worship calls us to think of both God who reigns from on high as well as God who has drawn near to us.
Our worship begins with a response call to worship followed by the singing of a psalm from the ARP Psalter. We also sing a variety of hymns, both historic and new. Congregational singing is typically accompanied by piano, but guitars are also used from time to time.
The focal point of the worship service is the reading and preaching of God’s Word. This is a primary means of grace for God’s people. We are committed to the Word of God being preached both passionately and correctly.
What Should I Wear?
You may find anything from overalls and jeans to dresses and suits on any given Sunday at Rowan. If the church dress code of the last century was to “come in your best,” this century’s motto would be to “come in comfort.” If you feel comfortable wearing a polo and jeans or if you prefer to be more formal, you will find a congregation ready to welcome and love you.
Where Do Children Go During the Service?
We appreciate the wisdom and spirit found in Deuteronomy 31:12-13:
“Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”
Rowan highly values being a whole family church. What this means is that we strive to make all activities accessible to believers and their children. The worship service is specifically designed to promote the worship of God from all ages within the covenant community. A crying room is provided for very young children.