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Our Mission Statement
Joining the Church
Welcome! It is with great joy that we welcome you to First Presbyterian Church’s website! We invite you to participate in the ministry of our church and experience our growing together. Whether you are a member or not, you are always welcome to join us for worship, fellowship, and all the other programs of our church. - Rev. J. Taylor Haley
To joyfully proclaim and celebrate God’s word, To actively witness the love of Jesus Christ, To grow in faith through study and prayer, To welcome all into our community, To extend comfort and grace to those in need, To work for justice and peace, To be responsible stewards of God’s gifts.
Key Theological Issues Reflected in the Ministry of Our Congregation We believe that as a church we are called to be Disciples of Jesus Christ, and that it is the role of the church to feed all of us spiritually. John 15:12 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
We believe it is our role to reach out to those who need to be spiritually nourished. We need to deepen the faith of all members of our church, and especially, to help new members become established in their faith. We now do this through adult Bible study, new member classes and small group activities.
We believe our church needs to develop programs designed to strengthen families. Currently we offer a Wednesday night intergenerational program incorporating education and fellowship for all ages.
As part of our church’s mission, we reach out into the community, sharing our talents and resources to support those in need. We believe (James 2:26) “Faith without deeds is dead.” We also offer our excellent facility and our wonderful music in an effort to foster spiritual enrichment.
We feel concern for religious apathy. We recognize a need to evangelize in and outside of our church. We feel people of all ages face increasing temptations to be identified with the secular world. We find a special need among the youth of our church and society. In their search for identity and a sense of belonging, our desire is to play an active role in reaching out to them. We feel the need for a strong program of activity, worship, and learning that will bring faith and a feeling of love and belonging to all.
Session The Session is composed of elders who have been nominated, elected, ordained, and installed by the church. Elders are called out of the congregation to serve and lead the church. Elders moderate Session committees, which are charged to the mission of the church. Any member of the church may participate in any committee
Board of Deacons The Board of Deacons is composed of deacons who are nominated, elected, ordained and installed by the church. Deacons are called out of the congregation to provide a ministry to those in need, to the sick, and to the friendless.
Officers of the church are not separated out but placed into their offices for service to Christ and His church. The role and function of the Session is absolute to support and lead the church. The role and function of the congregation is more limited in the Presbyterian system of polity. “Presbyter” in Greek means elder, denoting the importance of ruling and teaching elders.
First Presbyterian Church Committees There are nine different committees which offer opportunities for you to utilize and grow your God given talents. Below is a list of the committees with a brief description of their function. Which committees would benefit from your gifts? Are you willing to serve the Lord in this way?
Building and Grounds Supports the session/church and the custodian in developing, maintaining and operating the buildings and grounds of the church.
Adult Ministry Works with the session/church and Director of Christian Education in the development and implementation of an educational program for adults.
Congregational Nominating Committee Enlists members of the congregation to serve the mission of the church as leaders.
Children’s Ministry Works with the session/church and Director of Christian Education in the development and implementation of an educational program for children
Interpretation, Stewardship and Finance Supports the session/church in developing and implementing a total stewardship plan that effectively utilizes the spiritual, human, financial and natural resources entrusted to individuals, the church and society as the church strives to fulfill its mission.
Membership and Outreach Supports the session/church in enriching the church’s ministry to its own members and in reaching out to all who may be seeking a relationship with Christ through the church.
Mission and Social Action Supports the session/church in developing, advocating and implementing a mission and social action plan (local, national, and worldwide) to fulfill the mission of the church.
Music and Worship Supports session/church, choir directors and organists in developing and guiding the life of the church as it expresses itself in worship and music.
Youth Ministry Works with the session/church and Director of Christian Education in the development and implementation of an educational program for youth.
Romans 12:6-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him us it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
A New Members’ Classes are generally held twice each year. Visitors interested in joining the membership of First Presbyterian Church are invited to attend a New Member’s Class
This class gives individuals an opportunity to learn more about our denomination, our doctrine, and our local church. Attending the class does not obligate someone to join the church, but does provide persons with information to make a decision about membership. The class, led by our pastor, provides information about our foundational beliefs, the governing structure of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), and the organization of our local church.
If a person desires to join the church after attending the class, the next step is to meet with the Session. This meeting is an opportunity for prospective members to personally meet the elders of the church. It affords the elders an opportunity to learn about the new members. At this time, prospective members indicate their desire to join with the church. New members are introduced to the congregation on the following Sunday.
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