What is a Presbyterian?

First and foremost, we are Christians! We are a people who confess Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to be our Savior and Lord. We affirm Jesus Christ to be the Head of the Church which is His body. It is Christ who gives to the Church its faith and life, its unity and mission, its offices and ordinances.

Our Name
The word "Presbyterian" comes from the New Testament word "presbuteros" which means "elder," and refers to the custom of choosing spiritual leaders from among the members of the church. The Presbyterian Church has a representative form of government. Elders are elected from among and by the members of the congregation.

The Great Ends of the Church
The great ends of the church are the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the maintenance of worship; the preservation of truth, the promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.

The Church and Its Confessions
The Presbyterian Church (USA) states its faith and bears witness to God's grace in Jesus Christ in the creeds and confessions in the Book of Confessions. In these confessional statements the church declares to its members and to the world: who and what it is; what it believes; and what it resolves to do.

The Sacraments
Presbyterians recognize two sacraments which are administered by ordained ministers: Baptism and The Lord's Supper. Baptism, the sign and seal of God's grace and our response, is the foundational recognition of Christian commitment. It is offered to believing adults or their children. The Lord's Supper is celebrated weekly at our 8:30 a.m. service and about eight times a year at the 11:00 a.m. service. Ours is an "open table," open to all baptized believers. Communion is regularly offered to the homebound and may be requested at other times through one of the pastors.

We Believe With Other Christians That...
God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
We are sinful and stand in need of God's grace;
Our sin is forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ;
Eternal life is available to anyone who trusts in Jesus Christ
as Savior and Lord;
The church is a gathering of people brought together by God
in Christ by the Holy Spirit for His purposes.
Both Old and New Testaments are fully inspired by God
and are authoritative for the church.