THE CHURCH

MISSION STATEMENT

Our Mission Statement is, “To know Jesus as Lord and Savior and to make him known.”  We are a member Church in the Presbyterian Church, USA.  We are a caring, happy, loving, people of God who believe our calling is to witness the love and salvation we receive through Jesus Christ to all with whom we come in contact.  We seek ways to serve and to minister to all humankind.  We believe that the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God and is the final authority in faith and life.

CHURCH PROPERTIES 

Our building includes a 500 seat sanctuary, 200 seat chapel, Christian Education areas beneath the new sanctuary and between the new sanctuary and the chapel, a gym, and two kitchens

PROGRAMS 

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 "yes" to this question in the Sacrament of Baptism, we as a congregation make 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 Classes, Youth Groups, Vacation Bible School, Supplementary Bible Studies led by Ministers and lay people, Nurseries provided during the Worship Service, Adult Choir, Communicant’s Class, and Workshops provided for leaders. 

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 understanding of the importance of our purpose and goals.  Examples of fellowship programs we offer are: Sonshine Club (For young-at-heart members), Family Night Fellowship Dinners, Marriage Enrichment Classes, and Bible Studies.

OUTREACH

In 1981 our church began sponsoring the “Walk to Emmaus.” In 1990 this ecumenical "Short Course in Christianity" was refocused as “The Great Banquet”. The format and content of the Walk to Emmaus were 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. In addition to the 5 weekends at our facility each year, we also conduct Great Banquet weekends at the Vienna Correctional Center, a minimum security prison facility in Vienna, Illinois, at the Green River Correctional Complex in Central City, Kentucky, and at the Hopkins County Detention Center.

SERVICE

First Presbyterian Church continues to be involved in Christian service. Presbyterian Women, Women’s Circles, Sonshine Club, and Girl and Boy Scouts all provide opportunities for service that carry out our mission “To know Jesus as Lord and Savior and make Him Known.” The Food Pantry, Hopkins County Assistance Center, Blood Bank, Door of Hope, Habitat for Humanity, and Co-operative Ministries all benefit from the service of our members.

STEWARDSHIP

Our stewardship mission is to provide financial resources not only to care for our own, but to help our community and world as well. We give of ourselves, our money, our time, and our talents.  In all ways we strive to follow the commandment of Jesus to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

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.