All are welcome,
and we mean ALL…
You are welcome no matter what you’re wearing - you can join us in worship whether you’re wearing a coat and tie or tattered blue jeans and a t-shirt, we don’t have a dress code; you are welcome here.
You are welcome no matter what you believe - whether you have deep faith borne of a lifetime in church or you’re on a journey to find faith, you are welcome here.
You are welcome no matter what - whether you are gay or straight, young or old, rich or poor, conservative or liberal, and no matter your race or nation of birth, you are welcome.
We joyfully welcome everyone to worship with us as we give praise and honor to God, to whom we have been reconciled through Jesus Christ.
Worship Services At FPC
Modern Worship
9:30am in the Fellowship Hall
Traditional Worship
11am in the Sanctuary
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Presbyterians believe?
Above all, and like all Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. Beyond that, there are several distinctives of Presbyterian Churches. We are a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the largest Presbyterian denomination in the US. As Presbyterians we take the Bible seriously, studying it through its historical context to help us live out our faith, and believe that all people, women and men, are called to ministry. You can find more information about the beliefs of Presbyterians by clicking the link here.
The vision for our church’s ministry and mission, “Nurtured by God’s Word and Sacraments, Connecting Lives to Christ,” which means we cherish our worship as a means of enriching our faith, but it’s just as important to serve our neighbors, both local and global, with Christ’s love.
Why does the congregation read/recite so often?
Presbyterian worship is participatory, not a performance to be watched or a form of entertainment. One way the congregation participates in worship is by engaging in the responsive liturgy, which includes a call to worship, a prayer of praise, a confession of sin, the Lord’s prayer, and an affirmation of faith. Congregational singing is also a way to participate. But we also appreciate that different people have different comfort levels and do not require anyone to join in the response readings or hymns if they don’t want to. You’re welcome to participate to your own level of comfort and no one will judge you for your choice.
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 to 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, Presbyterians believe in 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 always welcome at First Presbyterian! Our congregation loves to see (and hear!) children and we make sure they can be included in our worship. We also have a professionally staffed nursery that is open from about 10:30 through the end of the service if your littlest ones need a place to go so you can focus on worship. Children that participate in the Children’s sermon will be led to the Children’s Ministry area after to engage in age appropriate lessons, though they are also welcome to stay with their family in the sanctuary.
Those hymns you sing sure are old-fashioned. Do you ever sing contemporary music?
Our 11am service is traditional, meaning we follow traditional liturgy and sing hymns accompanied by the organ or piano, but we also incorporate other instruments, including guitars, mandolins, and drums, regularly. We are open to many different styles of music, so if you’d like to hear something specific, let’s talk about it!
If you just don’t like traditional worship, that’s okay, too. We have a modern worship service on the first and third Sunday of each month that is more relaxed and the music is led by our worship band. Anyone is welcome at all of our services.