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Worship |
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Worship, the very heart of First Presbyterian Church's church life, shapes
our faith and is the most visible way we express that faith. We
gather together each week to celebrate God's promise to us and
renew our commitment of being united with God in a broken world.
Our services are rooted in scripture, relevant to our lives and
committed to the Reformed tradition. It is a time to gather together
in Christ's name to offer praise, hear God's Word and its relevant
interpretation for our lives so that we may do God's work on Earth.
The Reformed tradition is rooted in the story of God's calling
and redeeming people in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
and God's sending the Holy Spirit to empower us so that we may
minister in the world. It recognizes that God is not only the creator
of all things, but rules over all things, and is involved in the
affairs of the world to the end. Our purpose is to be in a committed
relationship with God, striving to live and love like Jesus and
through the power of the Holy Spirit work to love our neighbors. |
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Our hope is that you will find the worship services uplifting
and helpful to you in your faith journey.
Learn about:
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Worship
Services
First Presbyterian worships on Sunday morning
at two different times with two different worship styles. Childcare is
provided at both services, however children are always welcome
and encouraged to attend the services. In addition to our regular
Sunday morning worship services, we hold special services during
Lent and Christmas. |
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8:30 a.m. Sunday Worship Service
This service uses a more traditional
liturgy with responsive readings, traditional hymns and pipe
organ accompaniment. Music is most often led by the Chancel
Choir along with the Chapel
Choir and Adult
Handbell Choir.
You may learn more about the 8:30 a.m.
worship service by reading the
bulletin — 
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11:00
a.m. Sunday Worship Service
(10:00 a.m. during summer)
This services utilizes a blend of traditional
style and contemporary praise songs. Accompaniment includes
the electric piano, piano, guitar and drums. Music is most
often led by the Road Less
Traveled Choir. Special music is often shared especially
during the summer months.
You may learn more about the late
worship service by reading the
bulletin — . |
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Chapel of the Templed Trees at Funk's Grove |
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Worship
service at Funk's Grove
Once
a year usually in June, the late worship service is held at Funk's Grove in
the outdoor sanctuary, the Chapel of the Templed Trees. In
case of rain, the service can be held in the Funks
Grove Chapel. Bring your lawn chairs for seating or plan
to sit on plastic-covered log pews. Following worship an all-church
picnic is shared.
Download directions
to Funk's Grove —
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The
Sacraments
As Presbyterians, we recognize two
sacraments or reenactments of Christ's ministries on earth,
the Lord's Supper and Baptism. These are signs that God
is present today and always. Through the sacraments our minds
are enlightened, our hearts stirred and our wills strengthened.
The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper, also called Communion
or the Eucharist, is a time to renew faith and strengthen
participants for the duties and privileges of Christian service.
In Communion, the bread and grape juice represent the sacrificial
body and blood of Christ and recall the last meal shared
with the Apostles. Together they symbolize the New Covenant
between God and all people.
It is First Presbyterian Church's practice
to offer Communion to all who accept Jesus Christ as their
Lord and Savior. Children may receive Communion with their
parents' permission. At First Presbyterian Church Communion
is normally celebrated on the
first Sunday of each month.
Special communion is also offered on Maundy Thursday, Easter,
Pentecost and Christmas Eve.
Baptism
Baptism unites us with Jesus Christ
and makes us members of God's family, the church. It is a
public confession that you believe in Jesus Christ and you
turn away from sin. Baptism is something God does. It helps
us know we belong to
God and are part of God's family. Baptism is also the
way we normally
receive the gift of God's Holy Spirit and the various
gifts the Holy Spirit
brings to believers.
Baptism
is required for membership. Children
who have been baptized need to go through confirmation/commissioning for
membership. First Presbyterian
Church accepts all Christian baptisms done in other places.
Once or twice a year First Pres. celebrates
a service in which baptrismal vows can be renewed.
Children and
adults may experience baptism. It is meant to be a time
when the one being baptized acknowledges
their sin and accepts God's forgiveness in Jesus Christ.
When a child is
baptized they are invited to make this their own decision
at the time of
confirmation.
Infant baptism is not a dedication
of the child so much as it is the parents
and congregation dedicating themselves to raise the
child in a Christian
atmosphere helping the child to accept Christ when
he or she is old enough
to make that decision on their own.
Learn more about what defines
us as Presbyterians on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s
Web site.
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Sermons
Typically, Pastor
Larry will
lead the teaching portion of worship. Sermons are grounded
in scripture and are relevant to living in today's world.
Read past sermons and learn
about the upcoming themes and scripture
references.
Did you miss a Sunday?
Sermons are available in written or audio format. View the written format
or contact the church at email to
order a cassette tape. Please specifiy the date of service you are requesting.
Cassettes will be available in
the church office. Cost is $1.00.
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Music
Ministries
Music is an important part of the worship at First Presbyterian
Church. For many, music stirs the soul and opens the pathway
that brings you into closer communion with God. First Presbyterian Church offers
the following opportunities for God's people, young and old,
to share their musical gifts:
If you have a musical gift that you would like to share during
worship, please email
Phil Enge or call (309) 452-4459, x203.
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Labyrinth
Walking the labyrinth is a spiritual practice.
The labyrinth is an ancient tool for meditation and prayer—an
arrangement of space that invites God's presence. When you walk
the paths of the labyrinth, you are invited away from 'doing'
into 'being.'
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The labyrinth at First Presbyterian Church
is a seven circuit modification of the pattern laid in the 1990's
at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and the one built about 1220
at Chartre Cathedral, France. First Presbyterian Church's is
printed on heavy canvas, is portable and can be rented. Contact
the church office for
more information.
The labyrinth is available to anyone who wishes
to walk, whether or not they are a part of the church family.
The labryinth is usually open the fourth Friday evening and fourth
Saturday morning of each month. [ Check
the calendar ] |
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Assisting
With Worship
You are invited to assist in worship
in the following ways:
Donate to the flower fund
You may contribute floral arrangements
for the sanctuary for $25. The names of contributors will
be printed each week in the bulletin along with the names
of the honoree/memorial/occasion for which they are given.
Download a form in
the printable Adobe Acrobat format. This file requires
the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
For best results, right-click the link (or click and hold for Macintosh),
select "save target as" and save the document to your desktop for viewing
and printing.
Greeter
At First Presbyterian Church, we want everyone to know that
they are welcome and we are glad they are present. The first
connection most people have with our church is that person
greeting them at the door when they arrive.
It's an easy responsibility. It's an important responsibility:
arrive at the church thirty minutes prior to the service,
be responsible for one of the two entrances, warmly greet
everyone who arrives. Through your welcome, you let folks
know that First Presbyterian is a church that is happy they
are at the service and a church that values their presence.
Greeters are schedule one week at a time.
Usher
Ushering is a great way to get started helping the church,
meet new people and to make a real contribution by working
in the background to help the service run smoothly. Ushers
are asked to commit to a month for either the first or
second service but those who cannot commit to this timeframe
are still needed for a substitute. Duties include:
- arriving 30 minutes prior to service to ensure everything
is ready
- greeting people as they enter the sanctuary
- handing out bulletins and helping people find a seat
or assisting as needed
- collecting the offering
- counting loose change and storing the offering in the
safe at the end of the service
- cleaning up bulletins and papers left in sanctuary and
recycle
- picking up signed pages of the pew pads to leave in
the church office
Worship Leader/Liturgist
A worship leader assists the pastor
at the 8:30 a.m. service. This individual leads the responsive
or unison call to worship. They also lead the unison prayer
of invocation and prayer of confession. Following the doxology
they stand in front of the ushers and offer a prayer of
Thanksgiving which they have written. Most Sunday mornings
they will be asked to read one or two Scripture passages
from the Bible. The worship leader needs to arrive on Sunday
morning by 8:15 a.m.
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