Worship Service each
Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Seal of
the
Presbyterian Church
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The seal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a registered
trademark. The seal is comprised of the symbol, the basic components of which are cross,
scripture, a descending dove at the upper part of the cross, and flames on either side of
the lower part of the cross, and the name of the denomination, Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), encircles the symbol. It was designed by Malcolm Grear and Associates.
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The Seal:
A Closer LookThe seal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)is a symbolic statement of
the church's heritage, identity, and mission in contemporary form. Its power depends on
both its simplicity and complexity, as well as its traditional and enduring qualities.
The basic symbols in
the seal are the cross, Scripture, the dove, and flames. The dominant structural and
theological element in the design is the cross -- the universal and most ecumenical symbol
of the Christian church. The cross represents the incarnate love of God in Jesus Christ,
and his passion and resurrection. Because of its association with Presbyterian history,
the Celtic cross was chosen as a model for this contemporary rendering of the ancient
symbol. |
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In
experimenting with the basic lines and shapes of the cross, the contour of a book began to
emerge in the horizontal section, and the two center lines of the cross became the
representation of an open book. This integration of the horizontal dimensions of the cross
with the book motif highlights the emphasis which the Reformed tradition has placed on the
role of Scripture as a means of knowing God's word. |
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The
slightly-flared shape of the Celtic cross also makes possible the transforming of the
uppermost section into the shape of a descending dove. As a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the
dove is intimately tied to the representation of the Bible, affirming the role of the
Spirit in both inspiring and interpreting Scripture in the life of the church. The dove
also symbolizes Christ's baptism by John and the peace and wholeness which his death and
resurrection bring to a broken world. |
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Beneath
the image of the book is the suggestion of a lectern or pulpit, which captures the
important role of preaching in the history of Presbyterian worship. |
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Integrated
into the lower part of the design are flames which form an implied triangle, a traditional
symbol of the Trinity. The flames themselves convey a double meaning: a symbol of
revelation in the Old Testament when God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, and a
suggestion of the beginning of the Christian church when Christ manifested himself to his
apostles at Pentecost and charged them to be messengers of the good news of God's love. |
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The triangle also
suggests the nature of Presbyterian government, with its concern for balance and order,
dividing authority between ministers of the Word and laypersons and between different
governing bodies. This understanding of the church was based in part on an important idea
in Reformed theology, the covenant, which God establishes with people to affirm God's
enduring love and to call us to faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. |
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Looking
more closely at some of the visual components of the design, viewers may discover elements
that seem to fuse with some of the more obvious theological symbols. In the shape of the
descending dove, for example, one might also discern in the body of the bird, the form of
a fish, an early-Christian sign for Christ, recalling his ministry to those who hunger.
For some, the overall design evokes the calligraphy of Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.
Others have seen a baptismal font or a communion chalice (cup). |
In I
Corinthians, Paul described the church as a body with many members, illustrating the
pluralism of the church and the many gifts which God gives to its members. So also the
seal's individual parts, when taken together, form an encompassing visual and symbolic
unity, while not exhausting the richness of possible interpretations.
Copyright
2002-2003 Presbyterian Church (USA). All Rights Reserved |
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