As we seek to embrace, equip and empower, we greatly value...

EMBRACE

"We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus."

We are a church which embraces...

• Jesus Christ who frees us by His love and offers us abundant life.? We celebrate Him through regular
  corporate worship experiences and as individuals in our daily lives.
• God's Word, which is necessary in teaching and training us for the life He designed for us.
• Meaningful relationships where God's love in Christ reveals itself and flows from one believer to another
  and into the world.
• Prayer as a life-changing, powerful and important part of our daily lives.

 

EQUIP

"Now may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus
Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him."
 

            -Hebrews 13:21, New Living Translation

 

First Presbyterian believes that God created the church as His primary way to equip God's people.
We accomplish this through...

• A spiritually stimulating environment that helps us see ourselves as God's servants.
• Intentional opportunities to develop personal faith, life and ministry skills through a wide range of venues.
• Discovering, developing and coordinating the gifts of God's people so that we may work as one body in
  His service.
• Support for faith development in family, marriage, singles, youth and children.

 

EMPOWER

"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

     -Philippians 4:13

        New Living Translation

 

When we are equipped to embrace Jesus Christ with trust and resolve, we believe we are empowered by the
Holy Spirit to...

• Live in such a way that faith fills our lives, so we can powerfully and victoriously face the challenges and opportunities of life.
• Grow more Christ-like daily.
• Care for those in need as Jesus Christ always did when he expressed His love for His people.
• Tell others about God's saving grace in Jesus Christ.

 

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WORSHIP

Worship takes place on Sunday mornings at church, during the week at home or office, anywhere, any time.
Believers find meaning by participating in corporate worship, sharing of the sacraments and living a life of
worship as we glorify God in all that we do.

 

GROW

Members are encouraged to pursue a balanced spirituality as the church helps us discover and develop deeper
and richer expressions of faith, worship, life and ministry.

 

WITNESS

All Christians have a privilege to share their experiences of Christ with others in their own personal ways.

 

SERVE

We are blessed to experience the love and forgiveness of God in Christ which compels us to serve Him by
helping others.

 

GIVE

God equips us with financial resources as well as those of time and talents. He blesses us with gifts so that we
can experience the meaning and joy of participating in His ministry.

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OUR HERITAGE

First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville was established in 1837. Since then it has grown to over 1,100 members. As part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination, it is a member of a church family that includes over 11,000 churches nationwide and over 2.5 million members. Presbyterians have always seen themselves as part of the whole Christian family.

Our congregation moved to its present location on South Enota Drive in 1976. The original facilities on this site were designed by the noted church architect, Harold. E. Wagner. The stained glass windows in the sanctuary were designed by the renowned Willet Studios of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Between 1996 and 1997, a new fellowship hall, activities complex, offices, and additional educational space were completed.


Our Faith
As Presbyterians we are rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Church. We believe that Christ calls the Church into being and equips it for mission to the world and service to God. Christ is the source of the Church's faith and life. His will for the Church is revealed through Scripture, which is the written Word of God. Christ is the Church's authority, and the Church affirms that he alone is Lord.

As a Presbyterian church, we are heirs to both the apostolic tradition and the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. Therefore we are Reformed in the way we understand God and God's relationship to all creation. Two basic tenets of Reformed Theology affirm God's supremacy over all things and humanity's chief purpose being to glorify and enjoy God forever. As a Reformed church, we see ourselves as reformed, and always being reformed by the Holy Spirit.


Our Government
Presbyterians believe that things should be done decently and in order. We hold to a representational form of government from which we got our name. The word Presbyterian is the Greek work for elder.

There are three ordained offices in our congregational government: elder, deacon, and ministers of Word and Sacrament, all of which are mentioned in the New Testament. Ministers and elders oversee the total life of the congregation. Together they are called the Session. Deacons are called primarily to ministries of service and caring and are known as the Diaconate.

Our Session and Diaconate consist of 27 members each, called and elected by the members of the congregation. Each group also consists of three classes of nine members each, all of which serve for three-year terms.


Our Membership
One becomes an active member of the church through faith in Jesus Christ as savior and acceptance of his Lordship in all of life. Baptism and a public profession of faith in Jesus as Lord are the visible signs of entrance into the active membership of the church.

Persons may enter into active church membership in the following ways: by profession of faith, reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, or transfer of membership from another church.

Our pastor regularly conducts a class for new and prospective members. Contact our church office for more information.