Day1 with host Peter Wallace is the voice of the mainline Protestant churches. Through sermons, blogs, and video & audio resources, Day1 proclaims a passionate faith for thinking people.

• Learn More
• Donate

Services

Top Topics

Connections

Day1 Store

The Rev. William Carter is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Clarks Summit, PA, and a well-known jazz musician (Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet).

Member of:

Presbyterian Church (USA)

Representative of:

First Presbyterian Church, Clarks Summit, PA

The Rev. William Carter is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Clarks Summit, PA, and a well-known jazz musician (Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet).

William G. Carter serves as the pastor and head of staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. A well-known preacher in the northeast, he is also a highly regarded jazz pianist who frequently weaves his music into his ministry.

A native of Owego, NY, Rev. Carter received his B.A. from Binghamton University in 1982, with a major in philosophy and a certificate in religious studies. He earned his M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1985. Ordained as a minister of word and sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA), he previously served as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. Currently the president of the Alumni/ae Association of Princeton Theological Seminary, Rev. Carter was elected by Princeton alumni/ae to a position on the seminary's Board of Trustees.

Rev. Carter has received national recognition for his preaching and writing, with sermons and articles appearing in Journal for Preachers, Presbyterian Survey, Preaching, Lectionary Homiletics, The Christian Ministry, and Best Sermons 7 (HarperCollins, 1994). He is the author of three books of sermons, Water Won't Quench the Fire, No Box Seats in the Kingdom, and Praying for a Whole New World, all published by CSS Press. A fourth book, Speaking of Stewardship, an edited collection of sermons on stewardship themes, was published in the fall of 1998 by Geneva Press. The volume includes sermons of well-known preachers such as Fred Craddock, Tom Troeger, and Charles Rice, as well as the sermons of sixteen Presbyterian ministers from around the country.

As a jazz musician, Rev. Carter has extensive experience as a composer and arranger, having studied and performed with noted jazz artists such as Phil Woods, Jim McNeely, Jimmy Knepper, and Bob Brookmeyer. He holds the piano chair in Al Hamme's Swing Street Orchestra, and performs regularly on the Binghamton University (NY) campus. Rev. Carter has written liturgical music for the popular jazz communion services in his congregation, and has traveled widely in presenting jazz worship services in churches.

His primary musical association is with the Presbybop Quartet, which he proudly calls "the only jazz quartet pictured in the Presbyterian Church''s Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study" (1997 edition, p. 368). The Presbybop Quartet has recently recorded a CD, entitled "Faith in a New Key." The CD is full of original tunes and jazz interpretations of two favorite hymns. Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck recently gave it a glowing endorsement, declaring, "I highly recommend it!"

Latest Content by The Rev. William Carter

Revising the Agenda

Mark 8:31-38

March 19, 2000

The Rev. William Carter (PCUSA)

Then Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Read full transcript...

So What Did You Get Out of Worship This Morning?

Mark 2:1-12

February 20, 2000

The Rev. William Carter (PCUSA)

For a number of years, members of my church have been bringing back worship bulletins when they visit other churches. I have encouraged them to do it, particularly when they go on vacation or business trips. In any given week, the folks in my church travel all over the place. When they go on the road, I am delighted that they are worshipping somewhere, rather than nowhere at all.

Read full transcript...

Other Recent Content by The Rev. William Carter

January 23, 2000

When God Repented

The Rev. William Carter (PCUSA)

April 18, 1999

Where Does Easter Happen?

The Rev. William Carter (PCUSA)

March 21, 1999

Tears at the Tomb

The Rev. William Carter (PCUSA)

February 07, 1999

Following the Kiss

The Rev. William Carter (PCUSA)

January 10, 1999

After the Water Has Dried

The Rev. William Carter (PCUSA)