LEWISTOWN- Resurrection Orthodox Presbyterian Church, located in State College, is looking to extend its ministry into Lewistown.

“A past effort to plant a congregation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in the Mifflin/Juniata counties region saw promising potential not fully realized at the time,” shared Zach Simmons, pastor at Resurrection OPC.

“Since then, we have maintained relationships with various people around Central Pennsylvania and in and around Lewistown who strongly believe there is a clear need and opportunity for a church similar to Resurrection to serve the Lewistown area.”

Despite there being a number of churches in and around Lewistown, the Resurrection Church believes there is an “important need” for a church that combines distinctive characteristics of the Orthodox Presbyterian denomination.

Such characteristics include: a high view of the authority of the Bible, faithful, Christ-centered preaching from all of Scripture, biblically-based worship using historic hymns and Psalms, consistent recognition of “the sovereignty of God” in salvation and in all of life, and a strong emphasis on the good news of God’s free grace consistent with the Reformation-era Gospel mottos: “By Grace Alone,” “Through Faith Alone,” “In Christ Alone,” “According to the Authority of Scripture Alone,” “To the Glory of God Alone,” according to Simmons.

To begin the process of potentially bringing in a new church to the Lewistown area, Resurrection OPC in State College has set up remote opportunities to participate in the Sunday service. These remote gatherings will be held at the LUMINA Center at 9 a.m. every other Sunday and 6 p.m. on the alternate Sundays.

At the remote service, Resurrection’s regular State College worship service will be projected live in real time via a projector, screen and speakers, giving participants a “partial experience” of Resurrection’s State College area ministry.

Attendees will also be provided a bulletin matching those in State College to help people follow along with the order of service, and hymnals matching the ones used regularly at the State College location will also be available. After the service, participants will have the chance to get to know one another and connect with other people who share their interest in the future establishment of a Lewistown church similar to Resurrection.

“The response and participation in these meetings will help us to assess the viability and timing of future church planting efforts in the region,” explained Simmons. “If participation is strong, one likely outcome is that we might start full, in-person services and midweek fellowship and discipleship meetings, transforming Resurrection: Lewistown from an exploratory, provisional outreach into a full Lewistown church plant.”

According to Simmons, Lewistown was chosen for this experimental opportunity due to its “large population” and “easy access” from surrounding towns along the 322 corridor.

Current planned meetings will take place on Sunday, Sept. 21, Oct. 5 and 19 and Nov. 2 at 9 a.m. Sunday evening meetings will take place at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14 and 28, Oct. 12 and 26 and Nov. 9, all at the LUMINA Center, 18 E. Third St., Lewistown.