Supreme Court Consecration Service to Use Historic Prayers

6 October 2006

News Advisory:

National Clergy Council president Rev. Rob Schenck (pronounced "Shank") will join Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition and other clergy and lay people in leading a special prayer and consecration service at the United States Supreme Court as its new term begins.

Rev. Schenck, a minister of the Evangelical Church Alliance, will use an order of prayers from the Book of Common Prayer published in 1790, a favorite of the first chief justice of the United States, John Jay. Jay was a devout Christian, active Episcopal layman and an early president of the American Bible Society.

Rev. Schenck said about the service he has planned, "The 1790 Prayer Book is solidly Bible-based and Gospel-centered. There's no question about Chief Justice Jay's religious sensibilities. He was as Evangelical as any member of the old Protestant Episcopal Church could be. Christians of every tradition will appreciate these Bible readings and prayers."

The consecration service will be a first in recorded American history. Following the pattern of dedication for the ancient tabernacle that was the first place of worship for the people of God, the service will include anointing the stone steps of the Supreme Court with oil prepared according to biblical specifications.

"The Supreme Court building has been called a temple of justice," said Rev. Schenck. "So it follows to treat it as sacred space. The great moral and even spiritual questions of our time are argued, contemplated and resolved for good or bad in its hallowed halls. It's perfectly appropriate to set it apart for God's will and work."

The service will involve clergy of various denominations and is expected to last about 30 minutes.

Details:

WHAT: Prayer and Consecration Service for U.S. Supreme Court

WHEN: Today, Monday, Oct. 2 at 9 a.m.

WHERE: In front of U.S. Supreme Court, Washington, D.C.

WHO: Participating will be Rev. Rob Schenck, Evangelical minister and president, National Clergy Council; Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Presbyterian minister and director, Christian Defense Coalition; Rev. Dr. Gary Dull, Baptist pastor, broadcaster and head of Faith Baptist Ministries; and others.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

Source: usnewswire

All trademarks and copyrighted information contained herein are the property of their respective owners.