Making Room to Grow and Worship

What Is Rejoice & Renew! All About?

What is the importance of Rejoice & Renew! for First Presbyterian Church? 

Worship is central to all we are and all we do.  Our Book of Order reminds us “the life of the Christian flows from the worship of the church.”  The projects in this campaign will enable our congregation to incorporate new energy and excitement into our worship and bring a sense of community to all our worship experiences. The goals of Rejoice & Renew! are to help us:

·         Glorify God through simple and practical beauty;
·         Proclaim the Word;
·         Celebrate the sacraments;
·         Enjoy music and liturgy in all their forms.

What, specifically, will this entail?

We will renovate the sanctuary by enlarging the chancel.  This will allow for more flexibility in all forms of worship.  The baptismal font, pulpit, and communion table will be more prominent and central to our worship. We will be able to accommodate, see and hear the special presentations of our children and youth.  And, to fulfill a long-standing need, the new space will accommodate a new organ.

 Why do we need a new organ? 

Our current organ, built in 1954, has served us well, but over its five decades of service it has become inadequate in many ways.  It is beyond repair.  The organ is a fundamental part of our worship tradition and our church celebrations.  A new organ will inspire our worship.       

 Why do we need the renovations to the sanctuary?

The committee that was formed in 2001 originally focused upon organ construction and restoration.  However, they soon realized that this was an opportune time to study the importance and role of FPC’s various worship experiences.  The proposed plan to renovate the sanctuary not only supports greater and varied worship experiences; it also draws attention to the significance of the elements of Presbyterian theology and worship.