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 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
An important part of our
mission is education. We provide regular educational and in-depth study programs
for all ages individuals to increase our knowledge and understanding of faith,
God’s Word and our commitment to our Lord. Our educational programs are
intended to provide a means to grow in discipleship.
“…Do you the people of the
church, promise to tell this child the Good News of the Gospel, to help him know
all that Christ commands, and by your fellowship, to strengthen his family ties
with the household of God?”
By answering the above question
in the Sacrament of Baptism, we as a congregation have made a commitment to
teach all of the children of God. We have opportunities to carry out this
teaching through the following: complete and comprehensive all-grades Sunday
School; Adult Education; Youth Groups: Vacation Bible School; Supplementary
Bible Studies led by ministers and lay people; nurseries provided during the Worship
Service; adult, youth and junior choirs; Communicant’s Class, and Workshops
provided for leaders. The church also sponsors a licensed Preschool program that
runs from September through May.
FELLOWSHIP
As Christ’s Church, we have
the obligation to be an open community, open to all who have need for Christian
fellowship and opportunities for service. To be effective as a congregation, our
members and friends must be knowledgeable about the full life and work of the
local and larger church. This will enhance mutual trust and an understanding of
the importance of our purpose and goals, in which members and friends ask to
participate. Examples of fellowship programs we offer are: Sonshine Club (For
elder members), basketball; Family and Wednesday night fellowship suppers and
bible study.
OUTREACH
In 1981 our church began
sponsoring the “Walk to Emmaus.” In 1990 this ecumenical
Christian experience was refocused as “The Great Banquet”. The format
and content of
the Walk to Emmaus was left largely intact, only the “picture” for the
weekend was modified. “The Great Banquet” is similar in content
to “The Presbyterian Cursillo Program” for members of
the PCUSA Church. We have introduced this program into other communities,
states and countries. We conduct Great Banquet weekends at the Vienna
Correctional Center, a minimum security prison facility in Vienna, Illinois. Lay
people in our church fill pulpits in other churches of our Presbytery and the
“Joyful Noise” and the “Glorious Praise”, provides a music ministry to a
wide variety of audiences.
SERVICE
First Presbyterian Church
continues to be involved in Christian service. Presbyterian Women, Women’s
Circles, Sonshine Club, Girl and Boy Scouts programs and activities which carry
out our mission “To know Jesus as Lord and Savior and make Him Known.” The
food pantry, Assistance Fund, Blood Bank donors and sponsorship of
The Door of Hope, Habitat for Humanity, Co-operative Ministries, are
examples of our service in the community.
STEWARDSHIP
Our stewardship mission is to
provide financial resources not only to care for our own, but to help our
community as well. We give of ourselves, our money, our time, and our talents. We are to be examples of Christ church and the community in
gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His gift to us.
We as a church body
believe it is our mission to relate and witness to our community and the world,
proclaiming the good news, and calling others to faith and commitment to God
through Jesus Christ.
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