Special guests helping lead the worship include Lyon College President Dr. Walter B. Roettger, who will preach at the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services, Lyon College Chaplain Rev. Nancy McSpadden, who will preach at the 9 a.m. service, and Jimmy Bell, director of the Scottish Heritage Program at the college. The Lyon College Pipe Band also will be on hand to provide traditional Scottish music.

A "kirk" is a Scottish word for church and a "tartan" is the traditional pattern of unevenly spaced stripes crossing at right angles woven into a woolen fabric that distinguishes the various Scottish Clans.

In 1941 Rev. Peter Marshall, who was at the time chaplain to the U.S. Senate, introduced a special worship service celebrating the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterian Church at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., where he was pastor.

Since that time, the Kirkin' O' the Tartans has evolved into a colorful, festive occasion for celebrating Scottish heritage, asking God's blessing and protection for those represented by the tartans, recognizing the historical contributions of native Scots and Scottish-heritage Americans, and celebrating traditions of Celtic and Scottish peoples.

The service is a blend of music, hymns and prayers from Scottish faith traditions. The heart of the tradition is the presentation of their tartans by representative clans and individuals, accompanied by the sound of bagpipes.