Congregational

Congregational Ministries are programs that address the needs of our members, but non-members are also welcome to participate.

Amateur Preachers

When Presbyterian churches throughout Central Illinois are without a pastor, primarily due to vacations, they turn to our Amateur Preachers ministry to fill their pulpits. Every summer Amateur Preachers deliver sermons and serve as liturgists for congregations in communities in our area.

C-Groups

Small groups of caring with Christ at the center.

Care Deacons

  • Make monthly visits to members who have physical difficulty attending church services and activities on a regular basis.
  • Share knowledge about church and community services available to those with special needs.
  • Serve as hosts for Christmas Eve and Maundy Thursday Communion services.
  • Participate in "at home" Communion services with the pastors
  • Provide mutual support to each other as care givers.
  • Send cards to those who have been in the hospital or when there is a death.
  • Deliver flowers to those undergoing difficult times.
  • Minister to the needs of members in body, mind and spirit along with the Parish Nurses.

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry is grounded in Jesus' command to love one another.  Through one-to-one caring relationships, those who are hurting receive the love and care they need to support them.

The Stephen Ministry Referrals Coordinator learns about a person in need or care from the pastor, the person or a friend, always with the person's permission.  The Referrals Coordinator meets with the person to talk about Stephen Ministry.  With the person's permission, the Referrals Coordinator assigns a Stephen Minister to meet on a regular basis with the person.

A Stephen Minister is NOT a counselor or therapist; a problem-solver; a casual visitor.

For more information, please visit the Stephen Ministries website at www.stephenministries.org or please call or e-mail Chuck Carlson at .

Libraries—Adult and Youth

Members, visitors and non-members are invited to use our youth and adult libraries. The adult library is located adjacent to Westminster Hall, and is open whenever the church building is open. Librarians are available on Sunday mornings to assist you.

Our youth library, located in the Christian Education Building offers books, tapes and computer games. Selections appropriate for preschoolers and their parents are found on the first floor. Books for older children and high schoolers are located throughout the second floor.

Once you have made your selection, sign your name and the date on the card in the book’s pocket, and place the card in the loan box. Normal checkout time is two weeks for books, and one week for videos. To return books and tapes, leave them in the drop-off box in the adult or youth library locations.

New Member Classes

Classes for visitors who want to become new members are offered frequently. See the New Member page for more information.

Parish Nurses

Our Parish Nurses are members of the ministry team of the church whose major goal is to reflect God’s love through professional and personal caring and confidentiality. Their ministry focuses on the body, mind and spirit. They maintain an office and medical equipment closet in the southeast corner of the church building near the main entrance. They also sponsor support groups such as the cancer support group and health education workshops and classes.

Prayer Ministry

Prayer is a vital part of our faith walk. Prayer request cards are available in the pews and may be filled out and delivered to the clergy. We invite prayer requests, and those not marked “confidential” are prayed for by our staff and prayer team. The prayer team meets regularly to pray for members and concerns. You can request prayer support anonymously, or you can ask the team to pray for you specifically.

Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women is open to all women in the congregation. Its purpose is to nurture faith through Bible study, to participate in the mission of our church both at home and worldwide, to educate our members in issues of justice and peace, to provide a small-group experience for friendship and spiritual growth and to build a caring community of women who help in many ways to strengthen our church. Circles meet monthly for Bible study and members participate in service projects throughout the year in both our church and the community.  Click here to see the FirstChurch Presbyterian Women's blog.