July 26, 2007
First Presbyterian Church Launches Emergent Worship for Young Adults
By HNN Staff
Huntington, WV (HNN) – On August 5, 2007, First Presbyterian Church of Huntington will launch The Crossing, a cutting edge, Emerging worship gathering designed by and for young adults. The Crossing is a unique worship service in the Huntington area. The style of the worship gathering is Emerging worship, the newest movement in worship, which reflects the postmodern perspective of 18-35 year-olds.
The Crossing is a worship ministry of First Presbyterian Church, 1015 Fifth Ave, which offers a more classical worship service in the morning. Meeting every Sunday night at 6:00 pm, The Crossing can be accessed through the 6th Avenue entrance of First Presbyterian Church, and meets in an alternative worship space adapted to fit the Emergent style of worship. Rev. Amy Sutherlun, associate pastor for young adults, coordinates the volunteer leadership team for The Crossing.
Emerging worship is worship that reflects the mindset and interests of emerging, postmodern generations. It is a more multi-sensory, interactive, and fluid worship style. “It’s kind of a second or third-generation descendant of contemporary worship, which really captured Generation X (those born between 1965-1976),” said Sutherlun, who has been associate pastor at First Presbyterian for 2 years and is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. “Emerging worship reflects the desires of the Millenials (born 1977-1998) for a worship experience that is authentic, engaging, and diverse – worship that captures you and invites response.”
Emerging worship, as a movement, originated in the United Kingdom and has been spreading through the United States over the past 10 years. Because Emerging worship is very grassroots in style, its manifestations vary from place to place. However, some hallmarks of the worship style include alternative worship music, the incorporation of multimedia, and worship elements that blend the ancient and the modern.
The Crossing, which has met as an alternative worship service of FPC for about 6 years, has been intentionally re-visioned to be Emerging in style, a worship service created by and for young adults, in response to a perceived need for such a worshipping community in the Huntington area. “It’s a fact that the 18-35 year-old age bracket is least likely to attend church. There is a desperate need for a worshipping community that reflects and engages our generation in a new way. The Crossing is such a place,” Rev. Sutherlun stated.
For additional information on The Crossing, contact Amy Sutherlun or visit www.fpcCrossing.com.
About First Presbyterian Church – First Presbyterian Church of Huntington, WV was established in 1838. It has a long history of responding to the area’s needs for a new worshipping congregation, having been instrumental in the starting of six other churches in the area: Second, Highlawn, Beverly Hills, Enslow Park, Bates Memorial, and Rome (Ohio) Presbyterian Church. Today FPC is a vibrant and growing downtown congregation.
First Presbyterian Church Launches Emergent Worship for Young Adults
By HNN Staff
Huntington, WV (HNN) – On August 5, 2007, First Presbyterian Church of Huntington will launch The Crossing, a cutting edge, Emerging worship gathering designed by and for young adults. The Crossing is a unique worship service in the Huntington area. The style of the worship gathering is Emerging worship, the newest movement in worship, which reflects the postmodern perspective of 18-35 year-olds.
The Crossing is a worship ministry of First Presbyterian Church, 1015 Fifth Ave, which offers a more classical worship service in the morning. Meeting every Sunday night at 6:00 pm, The Crossing can be accessed through the 6th Avenue entrance of First Presbyterian Church, and meets in an alternative worship space adapted to fit the Emergent style of worship. Rev. Amy Sutherlun, associate pastor for young adults, coordinates the volunteer leadership team for The Crossing.
Emerging worship is worship that reflects the mindset and interests of emerging, postmodern generations. It is a more multi-sensory, interactive, and fluid worship style. “It’s kind of a second or third-generation descendant of contemporary worship, which really captured Generation X (those born between 1965-1976),” said Sutherlun, who has been associate pastor at First Presbyterian for 2 years and is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. “Emerging worship reflects the desires of the Millenials (born 1977-1998) for a worship experience that is authentic, engaging, and diverse – worship that captures you and invites response.”
Emerging worship, as a movement, originated in the United Kingdom and has been spreading through the United States over the past 10 years. Because Emerging worship is very grassroots in style, its manifestations vary from place to place. However, some hallmarks of the worship style include alternative worship music, the incorporation of multimedia, and worship elements that blend the ancient and the modern.
The Crossing, which has met as an alternative worship service of FPC for about 6 years, has been intentionally re-visioned to be Emerging in style, a worship service created by and for young adults, in response to a perceived need for such a worshipping community in the Huntington area. “It’s a fact that the 18-35 year-old age bracket is least likely to attend church. There is a desperate need for a worshipping community that reflects and engages our generation in a new way. The Crossing is such a place,” Rev. Sutherlun stated.
For additional information on The Crossing, contact Amy Sutherlun or visit www.fpcCrossing.com.
About First Presbyterian Church – First Presbyterian Church of Huntington, WV was established in 1838. It has a long history of responding to the area’s needs for a new worshipping congregation, having been instrumental in the starting of six other churches in the area: Second, Highlawn, Beverly Hills, Enslow Park, Bates Memorial, and Rome (Ohio) Presbyterian Church. Today FPC is a vibrant and growing downtown congregation.
