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This Sunday, 12th March, will witness a unique Covenanter Evening Psalm Service in Castlereagh Presbyterian Church, east Belfast. The service, which begins at 7pm, is part of Castlereagh's 350th Anniversary Celebrations and is designed to enable the congregation to explore their historical roots in praise.
Praise for the Sunday evening service will be led by the Eastern Presbytery Choir of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Ireland. The Reformed Presbyterians, otherwise known as "Covenanters" use the Biblical Psalms exclusively during their services, without any musical accompaniment. The Psalm singing is initiated by a 'precentor' who sings the first line of a verse to give tune to the congregation. This will be the case on Sunday evening in Castlereagh.
Preaching during the service will be Rev Robert McCollum from Lisburn Reformed Presbyterian Church. Robert is also a teaching Professor at the Reformed Presbyterian Training College in Belfast. After the service members of Castlereagh congregation will get an opportunity to ask questions about the Reformed Presbyterian style of worship over a cup of tea.
Reformed Presbyterianism in Ireland originates from the Covenanting Presbyterians of Scotland who were unhappy with a settlement between the Scottish church and the Westminster government in 1690. The first minister in Ireland was William Martin, from County Derry and a graduate of Glasgow University. Today there around 4,600 Reformed Presbyterians in Ireland, mainly in the North with some congregations across the border.
The minister of Castlereagh Presbyterian Church, Rev Hastings McIntyre says his congregation are looking forward to the evening. He comments:
"Like most congregations we use contemporary as well as traditional forms of praise in each service. On Sunday we will have an opportunity to share with our Reformed Presbyterian friends in celebration of the Psalms and hope that the evening will be of real benefit to us as a church family."
Issued by Martin McNeely, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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