Worship at First Presbyterian
Our worship is “traditional” - you’ll hear an organ and piano rather than a full band, but we do have members with all sorts of musical talents and who enrich our worship with everything from flute to guitar to dulcimer.
In worship you’ll hear prayers (sometimes in unison, sometimes led by the pastor), participate in a time of confession of sin and assurance of God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ, sing hymns, hear choral anthems and organ solos, hear scripture read and a sermon preached to expound on the scriptural text, and celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Unlike many protestant churches, we serve communion every week. We practice communion by intinction, where worshipers come forward (or we’ll come to you if your mobility is limited) and receive the bread and dip it into a common cup. In our church all are welcome to partake in the Sacrament no matter which church holds your membership, your age, or your level of faith. If you wish to learn more about the Christian faith, you are welcome to meet with Rev. Wes Pitts at your convenience.
For families with children, an infant/toddler nursery is provided from 10:45-noon. For those children who remain in the sanctuary during the worship service, packages with crayons, coloring books, and more are available. An additional option for children and their parents during the worship service is our pray-ground, located in the north parlor (connected to the sanctuary). The open doors of the pray-ground allow parents to enjoy the worship service while their children quietly play with the many creative materials available to them there.
If you’d like to catch a glimpse of the worship life of our church, watch a service on our YouTube channel!
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Presbyterians believe?
Our Congregation’s Vision Statement is, “Nurtured by God’s Word and Sacraments, Connecting Lives to Christ.” We are a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA), a Reformed Christian Denomination with roots in Scotland and the Reformation in Switzerland. You can find more information about the beliefs of Presbyterians by clicking the link here.
Why does the congregation read/recite so often?
We believe that worship is something to participate in, not a performance to be watched. One way the congregation participates is by engaging in the liturgy of worship, including a responsive call to worship, unison prayer of praise, Lord’s prayer, and affirmation of faith. Any who are uncomfortable participating in this way are not required to in order to worship with us.
Why is communion done every week?
Our congregation values communion because we believe it is a time when we are united with Jesus. Communion reminds us of all Christ did for us and connects us to his continuing mission, by participating in the Sacrament we commit ourselves to be the body of Christ in the world.
Why does the pastor wear that funny looking robe?
In the Presbyterian Church many pastors wear a clerical robe as a sign of the position they hold - it also makes the pastor very easy identify if you’re visiting with us for the first time! The robe Wes wears is traditional for Presbyterian Clergy and modeled after academic robes as a way to emphasize education – we believe having clergy that are well educated. In the summer Wes does not wear a robe and encourages everyone to dress down (though you’re never required to dress up!).
I’d like to come to worship, but I don’t know if I’d be welcome.
All are welcome to join in worship at FPC, no matter who you are, where you’ve come from, or how you identify. We do our very best to be welcoming, but we are human and sometimes we fail. If you visit and don’t feel like you received a warm welcome, please speak to the pastor, Rev. Wes Pitts.
I’d like to come to worship with my children, will they be welcome - even if they make noise?
Children – noisy or quiet – are welcome! Our congregation loves to see (and hear!) children – Wes’ son, Walt, can frequently be seen and heard playing in the sanctuary during worship. We have also an area adjacent to the sanctuary where kids can color, read, or engage in other activities to focus their attention. If you, however, feel like you need a break, children are also welcome in the nursery. Ask a member for directions.
Those hymns you sing sure are old-fashioned. Do you ever sing contemporary music?
Our worship is very traditional, however we do have members who enjoy playing the mandolin and guitar (along with other instruments), and they play in worship regularly. While we don’t have a paid band like some churches, we are open to many different styles of music, so if you’d like to hear something, let’s talk about it!