About Us:
Thanks for checking out our website! We enjoy sharing information and news about First Presbyterian Church! As you browse through these pages you will discover that we are vibrant community of faith where a lot is happening to further our mission of sharing God’s love in our church, in our community, and in our world.
You will find that we are people exploring new ways of developing and growing individual faith through all the stages of life. At the same time, you will find that we are a church dedicated to preserving traditions that have proven to be meaningful for generations of Christians. If you are looking for a place that honors tradition but also challenges you to grow in new ways, you need look no further than First Presbyterian Church!
We come from many different faith backgrounds. We come from all walks of life. From the youngest to the most mature, we see ourselves as a family on a spiritual journey, learning together and growing toward God. We see our diversity as one of our strengths. We are united in the essential beliefs of the Christian faith, but we respect divergent views on issues. In this way we seek to be faithful to Jesus Christ as the Lord of all of life even as we remain open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit who may speak a new Word through any of us in these changing times.
You may be a new resident, looking for a church home. You may be looking for guidance and support as you deal with difficult problems. You may have been apart from a church for a while. You may have only recently begun a spiritual journey. Whoever you are, and whatever your situation, you are welcome to join us in worship and ministry as together we discover and celebrate God's love and grace!
Joyfully we are called together in Jesus Christ to worship God, teach God’s Word, love one another, and reach out to serve the community.
Joyfully proclaiming the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we seek to fulfill our purpose through: Worship; Fellowship; Evangelism; Mission and Spiritual Formation.
{ Deuteronomy 6:5, Book of Psalms, Romans 12:1 }
We are a church who worships God through:
- Developing our faith by encountering God’s Word
- Glorifying God through music, prayer, love and concern for others
- Offering our gifts of time, talents and tithes to God, daily
- Providing two different-style worship services: P.R.A.I.S.E. and Traditional
{ Philippians 2:1-2 & 3:10, Hebrews 10: 25, I john 1:7 }
We are a church who builds our “Faith Community” through:
- Celebrating, nurturing and encouraging all age groups through regularly scheduled functions and activities
- Providing care for those in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual need
- Connecting with other churches and organizations to serve the community-at-large
{ Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Ephesians 4: 12 }
We are a church who declares the Good News of Jesus Christ by:
- Sharing our faith journeys with others
- Welcoming all who come through our doors with joy and Christian love
- Being intentionally inclusive in our fellowship
- Responding to the needs of the community-at-large
- Reaching out to the unchurched “where they are”
{ Matthew 25:31-40, James 1:27, I Peter 4:10 }
We are a church who lives out the Gospel by:
- Viewing our ‘mission field’ as people within our doors, in our community, and throughout the world
- Promoting extensive personal involvement among all our members and friends for local and global missions
- Supporting ongoing mission efforts
- Being open to new opportunities for mission in our congregation and community
{ Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 4:12, II Timothy 2:15, I Peter 1:15 }
We are a church who grows in Christ Jesus by:
- Using every opportunity to deepen our relationships with God
- Providing opportunities for all ages to study, understand and apply the Word of God, in a loving and respectful atmosphere
- Encouraging every member to discern, develop and use their gifts of stewardship in ministry daily
- Promoting personal and corporate spiritual disciplines and spiritual formation
As members and friends of First Presbyterian Church we believe, and choose to be guided by, these core values:
Our Lord Jesus said, “Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and your neighbor as yourself.”
[Mark 12: 30-31]
St. Paul wrote, “Speaking the truth in love, we grow up into Him, Who is the Head, Jesus Christ.”
[Ephesians 4: 15]
We hold these principles*
In essentials: Unity
In nonessentials: Tolerance
In all things: Love
We believe occasions of deep differences of opinion, and instances of hurt are opportunities to grow in our relationship with God, through the grace of Jesus Christ, and so deepen our love for one another.
*originally from the Prussian Union Church, established in 1817. Many communities have adopted variants on these themes. |
