For over 125 years, the faithful
Christian community of Faith Presbyterian Church has been involved
in life-affirming ministry. The church family, in our attempt to
create life, has become increasingly diverse. We are a multi-racial
and multicultural congregation and have come to value and welcome
people of every age, race, economic status, physical or mental
ability, marital status and sexual orientation. At each point along
our journey through the years, we have experienced the blessings of
God in an ever-widening circle of love and faith.
Our circle has widened as a
result of our understanding of Reformed tradition, as expressed in
our Book of Order, that profession of faith in Jesus Christ is the
only requirement for full participation and service.
In our circle, we meet face to
face, and in seeing each other more clearly, we come to know God
more fully. We recognize that we come to greater understandings of
the realm of God as we live in relationship with one another,
particularly when those relationships have challenged, supported and
strengthened us with different experiences in worship tradition,
culture, and point of view. We are strengthened by our differences
and we struggle to be faithful enough that all people might think of
us "as one in whom life has made a home."
We look forward to welcoming you
to this faithful community where the circle of God’s love has made a
home.
Peace,
Robin
"Thank
You"
(These powerful
and heartfelt words came from one of our newest members, who
agreed to let us share them with you.)
As a little background, I've
never been much for attending church. It's something I haven't
done in 35 years, and before that I would go only when
"forced". I've never found God within four walls. The
church never accepted me for who I am, much less embraced the
difference. The sermons were all history lessons (I hated
history), with names I couldn't pronouce, dates I couldn't remember,
and places that didn't exist anymore or were too far away to worry
about.
So what in the world was I
doing at Faith Presbyterian Church? Why was I, of
all people, so drawn to this place? So much so, that
I looked forward to the weekends not for Saturday nights, but for
Sunday mornings! The answer became clear within a few weeks,
and was amazingly simple.
I realized I was saying
"Thank you" all the time. "Thank you" is how you respond when
people say nice things to you, or do nice things for you.
"Glad to see you!"
"Thank
you."
"We hope you like it here."
"Thank you."
"Can you
stay after the service? You can sit with us."
"Thank
you."
"I'm looking forward to getting to know you
better."
"Thank you."
Whew! And, of course, all the "thank
you's" to Robin and Christa, for the "stories" (sermons) I could
understand, relate to, identify with, feel a part of, learn from, be
lifted by.
You can imagine how grateful
I am and how surprised I was, when you all reached in, took hold of
my heartstrings, and began a gentle tug. Eventually you pulled
me right into your "ever-widening circle". It was your kind
words and warm welcomes that kept me coming back every
week.
Here I am, eight weeks
later, "hooked" as a new member, and all of you at Faith get credit
for "reeling" me in. I owe everyone at Faith a huge "thank
you" for helping make such a tremendous turn-around in my
life.
