What We Believe
What beliefs inspire us…
- God's love is greater than anything else, bringing life beyond our control or comprehension.
- We do not earn God's love. Grace, forgiveness, and loving acceptance come to us regardless of how we've succeeded or faltered, no matter our strength or frailty.
- As we love others, we grow closer to God. Grateful for God’s Divine gift, we try to live generously with that grace, love, and hope in return. Ever imperfect, we aim to serve God’s purpose, more than please ourselves alone.
- Jesus Christ embodied God's way of grace, love, and peace in our world.
- The Holy Spirit filled Jesus and also flows through us to guide how we aspire to live God's way of faithfulness.
- The Bible shares wisdom of God's Way, Truth, and Life from people in times past.
- Informed and inspired as well by other knowledge of our world, we commit to living that Truth and Way in our time.
How we aspire to respond…
First Presbyterian celebrates belonging to one large ecumenical family of faithful people.
As Christians, we share the common goal of following Christ's Way, Truth, and Life. Still, differences in Christian practice based on interpretation of scripture and historical background and beliefs are real:
We are a growing community of love and compassion, centered on Christ, inspired by faith and hope, devoted to serve in today’s world.
Aspire to Inspire.
At First Presbyterian, we welcome everyone – visitors and members, children and adults – to worship with us. Our regular Sunday morning service is more traditional. It reinforces what we believe – praise of God, confession of sin, assurance of salvation, thanksgiving for grace, sharing and explaining scripture, and intercession for those in need. Music can be classical, traditional, or contemporary. A chancel choir and instrumentalists lead hymns for all to share. We also offer other opportunities to worship in varied styles and formats.
As members of The Presbyterian Church (USA), at First Presbyterian we believe in the unity of all believers under Christ. Therefore, communion, marriage, leadership, and ordination are available to all people, without regard to race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. We baptize children and adults.
We grow closer to God as we love neighbors, especially serving those in need. We commit to making a difference in the world. We serve meals, support shelter and safe housing, sponsor blood drives, provide arts opportunities, nurture adults with special needs and kids in crisis, settle refugees, work to end human trafficking, and partner in numerous other ways with agencies in our community and far beyond.
God expects us to keep growing through our intellectual gifts and emotional understanding. For centuries, around the world, Presbyterians have prioritized education for all people as a gateway to a better life. We learn and share faith through many opportunities for Bible study, discussion, prayer, and pondering life with others. We offer many programs for children and adults through the entire cycle of life experience.
Led by members called Ruling Elders, local Presbyterian congregations govern themselves. Congregational members elect their leadership, including Elders, Deacons, and professional Ministers of the Word and Sacrament. Presbyterians connect churches through Presbyteries, in collaboration with the wider Presbyterian Church (USA). This elected and connected representational form of governance is at the heart of our unique Presbyterian way.