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Connecting

Connecting is our fifth core value. Our vision statement helps us to connect by cultivating community. From the very beginning of the church men, women and children bonded together as brothers and sisters in Christ.  They were connected in community by the work of the Spirit.

Connectedness appears to be an easy value to live out because we gather together on Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, occasionally for Bible studies, P.W. circles and other activities such as the rummage sale. We can look at those moments and say to ourselves, "See we are connected because we are in the same place doing the same thing." The question becomes however, is that really connecting?

When we speak of connecting we are not simply speaking of getting together. While that may be more connecting than many people engage in today it still falls short of the Biblical image of Christ-like connectedness which Paul discusses in his letters. The Apostle writes of a body of Christ in which each person (and their gifts) was spiritually connected to the life and work of the community. The church was a body in which all shared what they had (time, talent and treasure) so no one else was in need. This was a body that ate, prayed and sacrificed together. This was a body which understood that they were spiritual brothers and sisters.

That kind of connected community, one in which lives, resources and faith are intimately shared is a reality which has been largely lost in 21st century America.

It has been lost because the church is seen by many to be one more voluntary association in which we come to have our spiritual needs met. We pay our membership dues and we expect to receive something for them (great music, good preaching and opportunities for our children/youth to know about faith). We will volunteer and help out when needed but we do so knowing that we can opt out whenever we want.

It has been lost because we are so focused on the singularity (whether that is one person or one family unit) that the idea of being intimately connected with others not in that singularity is a foreign concept. Therefore the idea that all of those people sitting around me are truly my brothers and sisters is just a bit suspect.

It has been lost for many other reasons as well (read The Great Emergence for more details), yet that is the community life to which the scriptures, our Book of Order and our own mission statement call us. The PCUSA Book of Order puts it this way:

The church is called to demonstrate " by the love of its members for one another and by the quality of common life the new reality in Christ; sharing in worship, fellowship, and nurture, practicing a deepened life of prayer and service under the guidance of the Holy Spirit."

We at First Presbyterian Church are called to live out a new common (connecting) life in Christ. To do so will require an intentional effort to define what that life looks like and then attempt to live it. Though this will be a counter cultural endeavor, I believe the connections which will be created will be worth the effort. 

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
    • COVID Vaccine Info
    • 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
    • Usher at FPC
    • Presbytery Listening Campaign
    • Matthew 25
    • 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
    • Mission Opportunities
    • Lent/Holy Week
    • Lenten Devotionals
    • Baskets of Love
    • Financial Peace University
    • Learn about Foster Care
    • 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
    • Easter Flowers
    • Contribute to FPC
    • Stewardship
    • 2021 Pledge Form
    • 2020 Financial Review
    • 2020 Benevolences
    • Community Rewards Programs >
      • Kroger Sign up/Re-register
      • Link to AmazonSmile
    • Deacons
    • First Foundation >
      • Donating
      • Grant Requests
      • Serving the World
      • History