Permanent Inscriptions in the Narthex

The narthex (a hallway or lobby between the door of the church and the sanctuary) at the National Presbyterian Church is a large public space open to the Chapel of the Presidents, the Parlor, the Court of Flags, the staircases to the balcony, and the main doors to the Sanctuary. It is decorated by the warm light from the beautiful stained glass windows that you see on many pages of our web site. On Sundays, greeters at both ends of the narthex welcome churchgoers. The Information Center sets up several tables with publications describing current church activities.

These prayers and quotes from scripture are on permanent display throughout the narthex.

Inscribed in marble near the portico entrance:

ALMIGHTY GOD, THOU BUILDEST NOT A TEMPLE AMONG US OF WOOD AND STONES, FOR THE FULLNESS OF THY GODHEAD DWELLS IN THINE ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON, WHO BY HIS POWER FILLS THE WHOLE WORLD, AND DWELLS IN THE MIDST OF US, AND EVEN IN US. GRANT ... THAT WE MAY SO STRIVE TO CONSECRATE OURSELVES TO THY SERVICE, THAT THY NAME THROUGH HIS NAME MAY BE CONTINUALLY GLORIFIED.
AMEN.

ETERNAL GOD, WHO SO CAREST FOR EVERY ONE OF US AS IF THOU CAREST FOR HIM ALONE, AND SO FOR ALL AS IF ALL WERE BUT ONE, BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO LOVETH THEE AND HIS FRIEND IN THEE, AND HIS ENEMY FOR THEE, FOR HE ALONE LOSES NO ONE DEAR TO HIM, TO WHOM ALL ARE DEAR IN HIM WHO NEVER CAN BE LOST.
AMEN.

LORD, MAKE US INSTRUMENTS OF THY PEACE. WHERE THERE IS HATRED, LET US SOW LOVE; WHERE THERE IS INJURY, PARDON; WHERE THERE IS DISCORD, UNION; WHERE THERE IS DOUBT, FAITH; WHERE THERE IS DESPAIR, HOPE; WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS, LIGHT; WHERE THERE IS SADNESS, JOY FOR THY MERCY AND FOR THY TRUTH'S SAKE.
AMEN.

LORD, PRESERVE THY PEOPLE. MAINTAIN RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT EVERYWHERE, SO THAT ALL THINGS MAY TAKE PLACE IN AN ORDERLY WAY AND PEACE MAY NOT BE DESTROYED BY REVOLUTION OR SECRET ENMITY, NOR THE ETERNAL GOOD ORDER BE CORRUPTED BY DEBASED LIVING OR DISTURBED BY OTHER OFFENSES.
AMEN.

INCREASE OUR FAITH, O MERCIFUL FATHER, THAT WE DO NOT SWERVE AT ANY TIME FROM THY HEAVENLY WORDS, BUT AUGMENT IN US HOPE AND LOVE, WITH A CAREFUL KEEPING OF ALL THY COMMANDMENTS, THAT NO HARDNESS OF HEART, NO HYPOCRISY, NO CONCUPISCENCE OF THE EYE, NO INTICEMENT OF THE WORLD, DO DRAW US AWAY FROM THY OBEDIENCE.
AMEN

THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD TODAY
Behind the information center, three plaques with scripture quotes offer comfort in times of strife.

HOMELESSNESS:
Lord, you have been our dwelling place from one generation to another.
-- Psalms 90:1

DISASTER:
You are my refuge in the day of disaster.
-- Jeremiah 17:17 (the plaque cites Jeremiah 17:19)

HUNGER:
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
-- Psalms 146:7 (the plaque cites Psalms 147:7)

PRESBYTERIAN LEADERSHIP AND ACHIEVEMENT
In the passageway between the parlor and the chapel, names of many accomplished Presbyterians are inscribed on bronze plaques and mounted below selected scripture quotes:

PREACHING:
Preach the word, be urgent in and out of season, convince, rebuke, exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching.
-- II Timothy 4:2

GOVERNMENT:
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
-- I Peter 2:17

EDUCATION:
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
-- Proverbs 22:6

BUSINESS:
With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you.
-- Mark 4:24

MISSIONS:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
-- Matthew 28:19

The PROFESSIONS:
...and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.
-- Mark 10:44

The ARTS:
...the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
-- Psalms 96:5-6

SCIENCE:
To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
-- Proverbs 16:16

THE PRAYER OF A PRESIDENT
In the anteroom of the Chapel of the Presidents (not strictly part of the narthex), this simple and elegant prayer of our former president is reproduced in brass script:

"Almighty God,
Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly
right from wrong and allow all our words and
actions to be governed thereby and by the laws
of this land."
    - Dwight D. Eisenhower

A stroll through the NPC narthex can fill you with strong feelings of reverence, faith and love. If you're coming to Sunday services and want to do something to help those in need, please bring a can or package of nonperishable food. You'll find a collection basket near the parlor entrance. NPC volunteers will take care of the rest.

Thanks.