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When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
 

ABOUT FPC-Gainesville

At FPC, our mission is to to Embrace, Equip and Empower... in Christ.  We have prepared a special brochure
to tell you more about what Christ is doing in and through our congregation.  Click here to download a copy.


 

OUR VALUES

As we seek to embrace, equip and empower, we greatly value...
  • Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
  • meaningful worship and the response to it.
  • the authority of the Bible.
  • the power of prayer.
  • the grace that God provides.
  • the gifts of each individual.
  • the new ways in which Christ leads us.
  • the important role of the home and church n relationship to faith development.
  • relationships with one another.
  • intergenerational activities.
  • making a difference in our community and beyond.
  • belonging to a community of believers.
  • following Christ.
  • intentional spiritual growth.
     

OUR MISSION

EMBRACE
"We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus."
-Acts 15:11
New Living Translation
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.

 

EXPECTATIONS OF MEMBERS

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.

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.

 

 

     
  SUNDAY WORSHIP
and SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE: 
 

Please note: Beginning May 25, 2008 thru Labor Day weekend the schedule will be as follows:

9:00 - 9:55  Sunday School
10:15-11:15 Morning Light Service
10:30-11:30 Traditional Service

More info>>

Please plan to join us this Sunday as we gather to worship God.

(Click each link below to learn more)

>Worship Services: 8:45
9:00 AM and 11:15 AM

>Sunday School: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

>PASTORS OF FPC

>PROGRAM DIRECTORS

>THE STORY OF OUR WINDOWS

>PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA

 
 

Copyright [2007] [First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville]. All rights reserved. 
770-532-0136    800 South Enota Gainesville, GA