Service

At First Presbyterian Church, we recognize that there is a rhythm to our life of gathering to worship, and dispersing to serve.  Stewardship is the way in which we respond to God's gift of grace and salvation.  In joy and thanksgiving, we encumber ourselves to the service of God, using our time, our talents, and our resources to be ambassadors for Christ.  God makes the Spirit?s appeal through us, as we both identify and reach out to those in need with the good news of the Gospel.

SERVICE WITHIN THE CHURCH

·         Officers Elders serve 3-year terms on the Session, the governing board of the church.  Deacons serve 3-year terms on the Board of Deacons, whose ministry is one of care and compassion.  Officers are elected by the congregation.

·         Ushers Women, men and youth are invited to serve as ushers at the worship service of their choice.

·         Teachers Nothing is more rewarding than the ministry of teaching in the church.  We try to have at least two teachers for every class.

·         Friendship Callers After people visit our church, these goodwill ambassadors make a brief house call to welcome them and encourage their continued participation.

·         Volunteers If you can fold, spindle and mutilate, type or answer the telephone, you can assist in the office.   

SERVICE OUTSIDE THE CHURCH

We have a remarkable and proud record of achievement in both local and international mission activity.  Locally, we can boast the initiation of Alcoholics Anonymous, Meals on Wheels, Goodwill Industries, Mid-City Nutrition, and Habitat for Humanity.  We have given personal and physical support to missions in the Philippines, Haiti, Costa Rica, and Mexico.  We are in communication with Presbyterian missionaries in Korea through the Ecumenical Parish Associate Program of our denomination, and have on ongoing relationship with mission projects in Haiti and Costa Rica.

·         Habitat for Humanity All kinds of volunteers are needed to fulfill the mission of  providing homes for God's people in need.

·         Mid-City Nutrition Crews from our church serve lunch to the homeless on the first Monday and Tuesday of every month, and dinner on the first Monday.

·         Youth Mission Trip The annual youth mission trip is a unique adventure for our high school students, and there is room for adult sponsors to go, too.

 ·         Adult Mission Trip Every two years our church sponsors an adult mission trip.  Destinations have included Haiti, Costa Rica, the Yucatan and the Mexican border.   We have also made several trips with the Detroit Presbytery to help the Hurricane Katrina cleanup.

• Covenant with Iglesia-Jesus es el Camino (Jesus is the Way) has been signed and celebrated. This is a sister church in Higuito, Costa Rica.
  

• Mission Giving Annually, we contribute at least seventeen percent of our operating budget to benevolent causes, and altogether in excess of twenty percent. 

• Mission Causes We contribute over fifty percent of our benevolence budget to Presbyterian Causes, both local and world-wide. Other causes include Habitat for Humanity, the Mid-City Nutrition Program, Bridge Builders, The Theological Education Fund, Haiti W.I.S.H., The Gideons, The Community Food Depot, an annual mission trip for our youth, and Francinny  Outreach.