Come as you are and find welcome in Christ’s name.
Sunday mornings are when our whole church community gathers for worship, education and fellowship. We hope that you will join us! If you are planning a visit, here is some information that we hope will be helpful to you.
Our Worship
Worship is where we come with our joys and our concerns to praise God. It is the most important thing we do each week. Our services have been described as “warmly formal.” We have liturgy and follow the Revised Common Lectionary, but we are anything but stodgy. We respect our church’s traditions but are also excited to see how the Holy Spirit will move us in creative ways.
You will find many parts of worship common with other faith traditions but there are also some things that are different. There are prayers, hymns, and a sermon. No ‘altar call’ is extended during worship. People who wish to speak with the pastor are encouraged to do so following worship or during a home visit when it less stressful and there is an opportunity to talk at length.
Presbyterians celebrate two sacraments – baptism and communion. Both are represented in worship periodically. There are occasions where baptisms are scheduled during worship and at other times, the pastor or worship leader will pour water into the font encouraging us to remember our baptisms. On selected Sundays, all are invited to gather at the table for communion, where we believe our faith is most fully lived out. At our table, just as at Christ’s table, all are welcome. So, if you are visiting, know that you are welcome to participate!
Children in Worship
Children, like all people, are welcome in worship. The squeaks, the shrieks – all of it! We believe that God put the wiggle in children, so we hope that you will not worry. If, however, you would prefer that they be in a different space during worship, we do offer a nursery for infants – 3 year-olds on an as-needed basis.
There is also a Children’s sermon offered by the Pastor during the course of worship.
Parking
We have one parking lot reserved specifically for those needing assistance entering our facility. It is located in the rear of the building where there is a ramp to facilitate easy access. Street parking is available in the front on the church on Danville Street and there is a huge number of parking spaces available on Sunday in the Garrard County Courthouse and Garrard County Judicial Center lots adjacent to our facility.
Accessibility
We have four main entrances – our rear parking lot accommodates those who need assistance entering the facility. There is a ramp that is easily accessible with a minimal incline. A lift connects the fellowship hall with the sanctuary so that the entire facility is accessible to those with mobility issues. There are also rest room facilities on each floor that are accessible to wheelchairs.
Joining The Church
This congregation welcomes all people who trust in God’s grace in Jesus Christ and desire to become part of the fellowship and ministry of First Presbyterian Church. No one is denied membership for any reason not related to profession of faith, the only criteria for membership in a PC(USA) church.
If you are interested in joining the church, contact the church office. Inquirer’s Classes can be scheduled that help prospective members learn more about what it means to be Presbyterian and, more specifically, a part of this church community. There are also confirmation classes offered on an ‘as needed’ basis to instruct our adolescents and prepare them for church membership. New members meet with the Session and are welcomed during worship.