A Worshiping Community

Worship is the central act of the Christian church. First Presbyterian Church places a great emphasis on worship and urges all members to worship on a weekly basis. The two Sunday morning worship services are based on the best tradition of the rich and deep worship that has sustained the Christian church for two thousand years.

Special Worship Services

• Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – 5:00 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of Advent
• Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Services – 5:30 and 11:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve
• Children’s Christmas Service – 4:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of December
• Ash Wednesday Service – 7:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of Lent
• Maundy Thursday Communion and Tenebrae Service – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday of Holy Week
• The Great Easter Vigil – 8:00 p.m. on the Saturday of Holy Week
• Kirkin’ o’ Tartans – 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. on Reformation Sunday of each year
• All Saints Service – 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. on the first Sunday of November

Services of Wholeness and Healing

Three times a year, we have a service for prayer and healing.   This service is designed for those in need of physical and emotional healing, those in need of the healing of a relationship, those grieving a loss, for those struggling with an addiction, and giving thanks for blessings. The whole community of faith is urged to come and to pray for and with each other.

A Guide to Worship at FPC

THE WORSHIP OF GOD IS AT THE HEART OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AND THE CENTER OF OUR LIFE TOGETHER IN THE CHURCH. The Westminster Shorter Catechism affirms that our chief end in life is “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  This places the worship of God at the very center of what it means to be God’s people, and makes worship the highest expression we can render of our God-given humanity. Christian worship is a corporate act of the people of God where we gather to realize God’s presence and respond with praise to God’s gift of love to us in Jesus Christ. Worship is the activity we share; the liturgy is the form of structure of that activity. Worship at First Presbyterian Church begins with a theology. Presbyterian and Reformed in heritage, this theology is acted out within a liturgical framework.
Through a series of actions, we express what we believe and who we are. The sequence of the service was developed in the Church based on ancient Hebraic worship, shaped by early Christians, and confirmed by Christian congregations throughout the Church’s history. By the second century A.D., a basic outline for Christian worship had emerged with influence of synagogue worship in the form of praise, prayer, scripture and preaching. The Sacraments of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism, as instituted by Christ, are the two distinct Christian elements of worship.
Our service of worship has four major parts. The separate acts within these major sections are described here with the confidence that our experience of worship can be enhanced by greater understanding of what we do in Christian worship and why we do it.

• Assemble in God’s Name

• Proclaim God’s Word

• Give Thanks to God: God’s People Respond

• Go in God’s Name

The Sacraments

THE SACRAMENTS observed by Presbyterians are the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) and Baptism.  Both Sacraments were instituted by Christ, who invited his disciples to observe them.  A Sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible grace.  Both point to the incarnate Word and declare that Jesus Christ is present.

BAPTISM, the act of cleansing, marks our reception into the household of God.  Following the New Testament practice, the baptism of infants, adults, and children requires a commitment of the congregation to nurture the Christian growth of each individual as a member of the family of faith.  Baptism is scheduled through the ministers at the request of an individual or parent.

THE LORD'S SUPPER is the re-enactment of Jesus’ last meal in the Upper Room as described in the Gospels and in 1 Corinthians.  It is a holy celebration of the presence of Christ, who is risen and alive.  Holy Communion points to our union with Christ as we live and work within the community of faith.  The Lord’s Supper is usually celebrated at least once per month. 

The Lord's Supper

The Lord’s Supper is a sign and seal of eating and drinking in communion with the crucified and risen Lord. At the Lord’s table, the church is renewed and empowered by the memory of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection and promise to return again, sustained by Christ’s pledge of undying love and continuing presence with God’s people, and sealed in God’s covenant of grace through partaking of Christ’s self-offering. 
The Lord’s Supper is celebrated at least once per month and on special days in the Christian year. Communion is open to all people who profess faith in Christ. Baptized children may receive the elements.
The Lord’s Supper is served two ways at First Presbyterian Church:  by intinction, in which the congregation comes forward and receives a bread wafer which they then dip into the chalice of juice; or as the elements are brought to worshippers as they sit in their pews.

Baptism

Baptism is a response to God’s grace and care. The Sacrament of Baptism is a sign and seal of forgiveness of sin, engrafting into Christ’s church, and the gift of new life and identity as a part of God’s household. Baptism in the Presbyterian Church is received only once.
Parents are encouraged to present their children for baptism without due haste but without undue delay. Parents should contact one of the ministers after the birth of a child so that appropriate planning can be made. The parents and the ministers schedule the baptism at a time that is convenient for all.
Infant baptism involves a serious commitment from the parents and also from the congregation who pledges to support and nurture the child being baptized. Baptisms, therefore, are a part of the Sunday morning worship services.

Questions about Worship at FPC?

If you have questions or would like information regarding the Worship Services at FPC, please contact one of our Pastors on Staff.