As part of their ministry, the Deacons: 

·        Maintain a Special Visitation List of members who are homebound, living alone, or otherwise in need of regular visitation.  Several deacons are responsible for periodic visits to members located within their “zones.”  The deacons also deliver flowers from Sunday services, Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies; deliver communion three times each year through “extended communion”; and deliver cookies for Valentine’s Day  

·        Prepare Letters of Concern for members of the congregation who are in the hospital, sick, injured, or have experienced grief or loss.  These letters are made available on Sunday mornings for members of the congregation to sign as an indication of their concern. 

·        Administer the “TLC” program to provide additional care at times when additional support may be needed for an episodic event (such as recovery after hospitalization). 

·        Administer the Meal Chain, which provides meals to members who are having difficulty providing meals for themselves or their families on a short-term basis. 

·        Administer Presby Pals, a program that pairs interested members who live alone and desire to check in with one another by a daily phone call. 

·        Coordinate and host funeral receptions for families of the congregation who request such a reception at the church.  Deacons host, bake for, and assist with these receptions as requested. 

·        Arrange for transportation for members who desire to attend Sunday services but are unable to go to church and return home without assistance. 

·        Administer the Medical Closet to receive and make items available that have been donated by church members (e.g. walkers, wheel chairs, crutches).

Stephen Ministry 

Stephen Ministry is a Christ-centered ministry of care giving to adult members of the FPC congregation and the community by volunteer lay persons in the congregation.  For more information, go to the Stephen Ministry page on this website.

First Presbyterian Church provides for regular visitation of members who are hospitalized by the pastors and Stephen Ministers. 

In the Book of James, we are told to pray for each other.  One of the ways this is done at First Presbyterian Church is through a prayer chain.  When a need is expressed, the leader of the prayer chain is called and the chain is started with each person calling one or two persons to continue the chain.  At any given time there may be over fifty persons praying for the concerns of members and friends of this congregation.

 Audio tapes of Sunday morning worship services are recorded weekly and are available upon request.  Those who wish to obtain a tape complete a “Tape Ministry Order Card” and place the card in the offering plate or give it to the church office staff.  Tapes may then be picked up in the Gathering Place on Sundays or in the church office Monday through Friday one week after the order is placed.  The cost is $2.00 per cassette.

A mid-week program known as Wednesdays at First Presbyterian Church (WFPC) offers opportunities for fellowship for the whole congregation at convenient mid-week dinners.  This program makes it more practical for children and youth to participate in choir and hand bell ensembles, provides time for Bible studies and training, and fosters the Small Group Ministry.  The intergenerational fellowship begins with a prepared dinner at 6 p.m.  A half-hour later, everyone disperses to various activities such as Bible study or practice for the musical groups and organizations.

Additionally, the Gathering Place is available between Sunday worship services, offering an opportunity for members to socialize and engage in active Christian fellowship.