Mission Statement
First Presbyterian Church is a fellowship of faith, a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA),
united in love and loyalty to Jesus Christ and to each other. We are an intergenerational church,
composed of people from diverse backgrounds, interests, and points of view. Our caring congregation supports spiritual growth through worship, education, and service to our community and our world.
First Presbyterian Church is a fellowship of faith, a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA),
united in love and loyalty to Jesus Christ and to each other. We are an intergenerational church,
composed of people from diverse backgrounds, interests, and points of view. Our caring congregation supports spiritual growth through worship, education, and service to our community and our world.
Core Values
- We believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
- We believe that just as God forgives each of us, God also calls us together into a community that encourages and practices forgiveness and reconciliation.
- We believe each person has the freedom to a private, independent journey of faith.
- We believe that this diversity of faith experience is a strength of our congregation.
- We believe the Holy Spirit guides our lives through Holy Scripture, the confessions of the Presbyterian Church, and each individual's conscience.
- We believe that the Bible is the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ, and God's Word to each of us.
- We believe that the God who calls us to love one another also calls us to lovingly serve our community and the world, and to proclaim the gospel through word and deed.
- We believe that God calls women and men equally to all positions and offices in the church.
- We believe that a special commitment to teach and nurture our children and youth enriches our fellowship, strengthens our future, and builds up the Body of Christ.
- We are committed to strengthening and supporting individuals and families of all types.
- We invite and embrace all people into our church family.
- All these values are united in worship that draws us together, and through which Christ is proclaimed in spoken Word, music, and Sacrament.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The seal of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Our seal was adopted by the 197th General Assembly, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1985. It is a symbolic statement of the church's heritage, identity and mission in the contemporary world. Its power depends upon both its simplicity and complexity, as well as its classic and enduring qualities.
The basic symbolic motifs in the seal are the cross, Scripture, the dove, and flames. Because of its association with Presbyterian history, the Celtic cross was chosen as a model for a more contemporary rendering of this ancient symbol. The two center lines of the cross represent an open book, emphasizing the central role of Scripture in the reformed tradition.
The descending dove is the traditional symbol of the Holy Spirit. It also symbolizes Christ's baptism by John and the peace and wholeness which Christ's death and resurrection bring to a broken world. Beneath the image of the book is the suggestion of a lectern or pulpit, which captures the important role of preaching in the history of Presbyterian worship.
Integrated into the lower part of the design are flames which form an implied triangle, a traditional symbol of the Trinity. The flames themselves convey a double meaning. They may be interpreted as a symbol of revelation in the Old Testament when God spoke to Moses from the burning bush. The flames also suggest the beginning of the Christian church when Christ manifested himself to his apostles at Pentecost and charged them to be messengers of the good news of God's love.
The triangle also suggests the nature of Presbyterian government with its concern for balance and order, dividing power between ministers of the Word and lay people and between different governing bodies in the life of the church.
The seal of the Presbyterian Church (USA) was designed by Malcolm Grear Associates of Providence, Rhode Island.
The basic symbolic motifs in the seal are the cross, Scripture, the dove, and flames. Because of its association with Presbyterian history, the Celtic cross was chosen as a model for a more contemporary rendering of this ancient symbol. The two center lines of the cross represent an open book, emphasizing the central role of Scripture in the reformed tradition.
The descending dove is the traditional symbol of the Holy Spirit. It also symbolizes Christ's baptism by John and the peace and wholeness which Christ's death and resurrection bring to a broken world. Beneath the image of the book is the suggestion of a lectern or pulpit, which captures the important role of preaching in the history of Presbyterian worship.
Integrated into the lower part of the design are flames which form an implied triangle, a traditional symbol of the Trinity. The flames themselves convey a double meaning. They may be interpreted as a symbol of revelation in the Old Testament when God spoke to Moses from the burning bush. The flames also suggest the beginning of the Christian church when Christ manifested himself to his apostles at Pentecost and charged them to be messengers of the good news of God's love.
The triangle also suggests the nature of Presbyterian government with its concern for balance and order, dividing power between ministers of the Word and lay people and between different governing bodies in the life of the church.
The seal of the Presbyterian Church (USA) was designed by Malcolm Grear Associates of Providence, Rhode Island.