| PASTOR'S MESSAGE |
Dear Friends,
The cover of this month’s has a listing of ways you can become more
active in the life of First Presbyterian Church. Each of the committees has
people who are excited about what is happening and can happen here in
the life of our congregation and beyond. I encourage everyone to become
more involved in the life of the church. This will make all the difference in
the world as we continue to be a congregation that seeks to grow in the
love of Jesus Christ and to share that love with the community and the
world.
In the Book of Order for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) we read:
Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is a joy and a privilege. It is
also a commitment to participate in Christ’s mission. A faithful member
bears witness to God’s love and grace and promises to be involved
responsibly in the ministry of Christ’s Church.
Such involvement includes:
- proclaiming the good news in word and deed,
- taking part in the common life and worship of a congregation,
- lifting one another up in prayer, mutual concern, and active support,
- studying Scripture and the issues of Christian faith and life,
- supporting the ministry of the church through the giving of money,
time, and talents,
- demonstrating a new quality of life within and through the church,
- responding to God’s activity in the world through service to others,
- living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political,
cultural, and social relationships of life,
- working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human
fulfillment,
- participating in the governing responsibilities of the church,
- and reviewing and evaluating regularly the integrity of one’s
membership, and considering ways in which one’s participation in the
worship and service of the church may be increased and made more
meaningful.
Indeed the list can be overwhelming. However, each of us is somewhere
on the continuum of activity in the life of the church. My prayer is always
that each one of us would be open to God’s Spirit at work in our lives in
new and fresh ways every day and that we would participate in meaningful
ways in the church’s mission, ministry, and worship.
Prayerfully,
Gary Elg, Pastor
The cover of this month’s has a listing of ways you can become more
active in the life of First Presbyterian Church. Each of the committees has
people who are excited about what is happening and can happen here in
the life of our congregation and beyond. I encourage everyone to become
more involved in the life of the church. This will make all the difference in
the world as we continue to be a congregation that seeks to grow in the
love of Jesus Christ and to share that love with the community and the
world.
In the Book of Order for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) we read:
Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is a joy and a privilege. It is
also a commitment to participate in Christ’s mission. A faithful member
bears witness to God’s love and grace and promises to be involved
responsibly in the ministry of Christ’s Church.
Such involvement includes:
- proclaiming the good news in word and deed,
- taking part in the common life and worship of a congregation,
- lifting one another up in prayer, mutual concern, and active support,
- studying Scripture and the issues of Christian faith and life,
- supporting the ministry of the church through the giving of money,
time, and talents,
- demonstrating a new quality of life within and through the church,
- responding to God’s activity in the world through service to others,
- living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political,
cultural, and social relationships of life,
- working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human
fulfillment,
- participating in the governing responsibilities of the church,
- and reviewing and evaluating regularly the integrity of one’s
membership, and considering ways in which one’s participation in the
worship and service of the church may be increased and made more
meaningful.
Indeed the list can be overwhelming. However, each of us is somewhere
on the continuum of activity in the life of the church. My prayer is always
that each one of us would be open to God’s Spirit at work in our lives in
new and fresh ways every day and that we would participate in meaningful
ways in the church’s mission, ministry, and worship.
Prayerfully,
Gary Elg, Pastor