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Welcoming

Our third core value of welcoming is lived out when we "cultivate inclusion."  Our inclusion statement says: "As Everybody's church we strive to be a faithful and inclusive community.  We welcome the participation of all people of any ability, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other life circumstance."

Throughout Jesus' ministry the twelve disciples were constantly trying to decide who was in (themselves) and who was out (women, children and foreigners, to name a few). In the minds of the disciples this practice of exclusion made sense. Their identity as Jews, as God's people, was under attack from the onslaught of the Greco-Roman culture. Without some boundaries they would be assimilated into a culture which would bring an end, or so they thought, to their faith. By maintaining clear boundaries of who was in (holy, acceptable) and who was not (unclean, unacceptable) they believed they were protecting their God and their faith.

Jesus however had other ideas. Jesus' vision was one of God's kingdom that was large and not small; growing and not retreating; welcoming and not rejecting. God's kingdom did not need walls to keep people out; it needed a welcoming community to invite people in because by so doing God's kingdom would assimilate the world, rather than be assimilated by it. We see this in Jesus' welcoming children, speaking with foreigners (Samaritans and Greeks), healing the unclean, eating with sinners and tax collectors, and in the conversation with the woman at the well, doing all of the above. Jesus' teachings and actions demonstrated a welcome that was unheard of during his lifetime.

The early church took this welcoming vision to heart and grew rapidly because of it. The church welcomed Jews and Gentiles, men and women, young and old, slave and free, Romans and pagans. Each person was intentionally welcomed into the community as a brother or sister with no distinctions for wealth or rank…and when such distinctions were made (see the Book of James) the leaders of the church upbraided those who treated persons differently or excluded some based on worldly condition or position. People flocked to the church because in the welcome of Christ they found out that they were valued and loved by God.

The PCUSA Book of Order puts it this way:

"The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seeks: a new openness in its own membership, becoming in fact as well as in faith a community of women and men of all ages, races, ethnicities, and worldly conditions, made one in Christ by the power of the Spirit, as a visible sign of the new humanity; (F-1.0404)

The challenge for us at First Presbyterian is to continue to make welcome more than a vision. We have made an excellent beginning, now we need to continue to explore God's calling to open our doors and our hearts to all.

First Presbyterian Church
Phone:  248-644-2040
Fax:       248-644-8047
Email:    contact@everybodyschurch.org
Address: 1669 W. Maple, Birmingham, MI 48009
Hand in Hand Early Learning Center
Phone:   248-644-2040 ext. 124
FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation 
Phone:   248-646-3347
Presbytery of Detroit
Presbyterian Church USA
More Light Presbyterians
Skyline Camp and Conference Center
Phone: 248-644-2043 (Birmingham Office)
             810-798-8240 (Almont Campus)
Samaritan Counseling Center
Phone: 248-474-4701
  • Home
  • Info
    • Open Positions
    • Important covid information for members >
      • Indoor Worship COVID info
      • Ongoing Groups/Event COVID info
      • Funeral & Memorial Services
      • Pastoral Care
      • COVID Info & Resources
      • Community Resources
    • Need Help?
    • Mission
    • Inclusion
    • Community
    • Why I Go to Everybody's Church
    • Our Vision >
      • Jesus Christ >
        • Celebrating
      • Reaching
      • Serving
      • Welcoming
      • Connecting
      • Growing
    • map and directions
    • Our Staff
    • Staff Contact Information
    • What to Expect FAQs
    • Building Use Fees
    • Baptism
    • Communion
    • Wedding Information
    • Funeral Information
    • Presbyterian Church USA
    • Our Stained Glass Windows
    • The Presbytery of Detroit
    • Contact
  • Worship
    • church at home, livestream, reservations for in-person worship
    • Recent Sermons
    • Bulletins
    • Worship Schedule
    • eLOFT
    • Rejoicing Spirits Worship
    • Worship Videos >
      • Trombone Choir
      • Choir Videos
      • Handbell Choir Videos
    • Music Ministries
  • Serve
    • Matthew 25
    • Covid-19 Relief Fund with application
    • Skyline Meals
    • Our Efforts to Serve the Least
    • Alcott School Ministry
    • International Missions >
      • Yucatan Peninsula Mission (YPM)
      • Kenya Mission Trip Story
      • Faith Kasoni - Kenya
      • Chang-Lopez
    • Local Missions >
      • Faith Communities Coalition on Foster Care
      • Little Free Libraries
    • In Our Church >
      • Deacons
      • Stephen Ministry
      • Memorial Service Help
    • Faith Communities Coalition on Foster Care
    • Mission Videos
    • Songs of Hope
  • Learn
    • Children's and Family Ministries >
      • Resources re: Racism
      • Five Part Story
      • Worship Wonder
      • CrossWalks
      • Faith at Home Resources
      • Sacraments
      • Build a Bible For Kids
      • Milestones for Children
      • Inclusion Videos
    • Youth Ministries
    • Education Videos >
      • Five Women Five Journeys
      • Health and Wellness
      • Theologian in Residence
      • Teacher Training Videos
      • Sacraments Videos
      • Bus Training Video
      • Children's Ministry
    • Adult Faith Formation >
      • Church History 101 >
        • The Jesus Community
        • The Church Expands
        • Constantine to the Reformation
        • The Reformation
        • The Church in America
      • Revelation Bible Study
      • Christian Faith Foundation
      • Genesis Bible Study >
        • Genesis Chapters 1-11
        • Genesis Chapters 12-25
        • Genesis Chapters 26-36
        • Genesis Chapters 37-50
      • John Calvin For Everyone
      • What is a Presbyterian Video Series
      • Two Year Bible Trek
      • Presbyterian Women Study Notes
      • Immigration Information
      • Faith Formation Groups
      • Fellowship and Ministry Groups
      • Classes and Events
    • Hand in Hand Early Learning Center
    • Belhar Confession
    • All Abilities Inclusion Ministry
    • Pastoral Care Specialist Program
    • Disability Inclusion Resources
  • Events
    • Inauguration Prayer Vigil
    • Mission Opportunities
    • Annual Meeting
    • Financial Peace University
    • Learn about Foster Care
    • Adult Confirmation
    • White Picket Fences
  • News
    • Annual Report
    • Email Sign-up
    • First Things
    • First News
  • Connect
    • Inclusive Communities Network
    • Faith Formation Groups
    • Fellowship and Ministry Groups
  • Members' Portal
  • Give
    • Christmas Poinsettias
    • Contribute to FPC
    • Stewardship
    • 2021 Pledge Form
    • 2019 Financial Review
    • Community Rewards Programs >
      • Kroger Sign up/Re-register
      • Link to AmazonSmile
    • FPC Benevolences
    • Deacons
    • First Foundation >
      • Donating
      • Grant Requests
      • Serving the World
      • History