Reaching

The second core value which we as First Presbyterian Church proclaim is that we commit to  "reaching out." We see this core value as emerging from mission and community.  We are to reach out in love to the world in order to build God's world-wide community.

Reaching out is perhaps one of the most Biblical of values. God was always the one reaching out. God did not remain a remote and distant deity. God's reaching out began with creation itself. God reached out from God's own self and brought something new into being. Next God reached out for a people through whom God would bless the world. The rest of the scriptures are a series of stories in which God reaches out through prophets, priests and kings to impact the world. The pinnacle of this reaching out was when God reached out through Jesus of Nazareth. Finally the Book of Acts and Paul's letters remind us of God's continual reaching out through the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Reaching out by First Pres-ers takes many forms. It has been as simple as letting people know about the life-changing mission that takes place within our walls. It has been as daunting as reaching out by sharing our faith stories with those who do not know the love and grace of God in Jesus Christ. It is as humbling as serving communion to a shut in. It can be as rewarding as mentoring a child or youth at Alcott Elementary School. Regardless of the form this reaching out takes we have committed ourselves to be a family of faith that remembers that we have been blessed in order to be a blessing.

The PCUSA Book of Order puts it this way: "The church is called to be Christ's faithful evangelist:

making disciples of all nations in the name of th Father, Son and Holy Spirit;

sharing with others a deep life of worship, prayer, fellowship, and service; and

participating in God’s mission to care for the needs of the sick, poor, and lonely;

to free people from sin, suffering, and oppression; and to establish Christ’s just,
loving, and peaceable rule in the world" (summarized from F-1.0302d)

The challenge for us is to continue to ensure that we break the huddle and reach out into the world in the name of our risen and reigning Lord, Jesus Christ.