~ Guests ~

First Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), which encompasses 2.3 million members in over 10,000 congregations across the United States.  Our church is a part of the Miami Valley Presbytery, which oversees the life and work of 61 congregations in southwestern Ohio. 

The Presbyterian Church has its roots in the Protestant Reformation, and specifically in the work of the French lawyer and theologian, John Calvin.  But, American Presbyterianism is also a descendant of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.  We adhere to the pattern of religious thought known as Reformed Theology and a form of overnment that stresses an active, representational leadership of both ministers and church members.

Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin remain at the core of Presbyterian beliefs.  Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers.

At First Presbyterian, we understand that everyone embarks on his or her journey to faith in Jesus Christ at different times and places and in different ways. Some routes are direct, but many of us meander down byways and pause in cul-de-sacs, sometimes for years. We know that finding faith and growing in faith can be a lifelong process.

We hope your worship with us uplifts your spirit and deepens your relationship with God.

To learn more about the ministry and mission of the Presbyterian Church, visit the PC(USA)or Miami Presbytery links.

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F.A.Q (Frequently Asked Questions)

About your Worship Services…

⇒ How long do they last?
Our 10:00 a.m. Worship Service is usually about an hour long, followed by a time of fellowship in the Gathering Area.
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⇒ What do people wear? Do I have to dress up?
It's pretty much up to you.  You'll see men in coats, many with ties, and women in suits or dresses.  But you will also see sweaters, jeans, sport shirts and everyday blouses.
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⇒ Can I sit anywhere?
Certainly. We even have a balcony in the sanctuary! If you are uncertain about where you want to sit, just ask one of the ushers to assist you.
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⇒ Can we bring the children to worship services?
Of course, but you may find that children under four years old are not ready for the worship experience. Therefore, we have child care available during the services. Following the Children’s Circle Time, just prior to the sermon, children up to sixth grade are given the opportunity to leave the sanctuary and go to Awesome Bible Adventures, which provides supervised activities designed especially for children. 
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⇒ Do I have to believe in a certain creed to come to your worship services?
Not at all!  We would hope that you are seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ, even if you don't know Him very well. But we are all seekers. We will stand and affirm certain creeds (such as the Apostle's Creed), but members have been known to omit a phrase or two if they are uncertain about them. What's important to Christ is that we all seek to make Him Lord of our lives. He knows our hearts without having to listen to what we profess.
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⇒ Do I have to say anything during the service?
Relax. You won't be called on to stand up by yourself. Out of respect for our Lord, we do stand together at certain points to say what we believe and to sing. But neither of those is mandatory.
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⇒ Can I share my requests for prayer?
At every Sunday worship service we offer prayers for Joys and Concerns. Specific requests are made on specially-designed cards, available in the pews.  Ushers collect these during the offertory and pass them to the pastor for inclusion in the pastoral prayer.  Some are general concerns or joys of the church community, while many are for the well-being of those who are sick or bereaved.  We also have a daily prayer chain for those who would like to direct their prayers throughout the week.
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⇒ Do you kneel?
No.
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⇒ What are your customs with communion (the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper)?
We celebrate communion the first Sunday of each month and on a few other occasions during the year. Anyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ may partake of the bread and the cup.
When we pass the trays, it is our custom to eat the bread when served, symbolizing our individual communion with the risen Christ;, but to hold the cup of grape juice until all can drink together, symbolizing our unity as the body of Christ.  No one is required to partake. 
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⇒ Do you take up a collection?  If so, how much should I give?
Each service includes the opportunity for an offering, a time of self-dedication to God and to provide for the work of the church.  You are the sole judge of how much to give. Most members make an annual commitment and honor it throughout the year.  We do not ask visitors to make an offering.
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⇒ Do you expect your members to come every Sunday?
Strange as it may seem to people who don't go to church very often, churches like us don't have quotas, standards, and guidelines for attendance, nor do we record who is there every Sunday and who is not for the purpose of keeping score! But there is another strange thing among those who do go to church fairly often: the more they go, the closer they seem to grow to God and to the love and power of Jesus Christ; and the more they seem to want to be there. All we ask of our members is what He asks of all of us: be faithful.
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About visiting your church…

⇒ Where do I park?
You can park in any of our three lots, accessible off McGee Avenue or curbside on Central or McGee Avenues.  The West Lot offers the majority of our handicap parking, and the Gathering Area and Sanctuary entrances located adjacent to that lot are handicap accessible.
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⇒ Are you so big that I'll feel lost?
We certainly don't think so. People who visit us say that we are warm and friendly. Approximately 200 people worship every Sunday, but you'll find that we are really interested in each other as individuals. There is always an Elder of the Day to greet you, who can answer your questions or give you directions.
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⇒ Will somebody call on me, or us, after we visit?
We generally send a postcard thanking you for joining us in worship.  Following several visits, we like to stop by and simply say "Thank you for coming”.  We have a small gift that seems to be appreciated by all whom we visit. And we will be happy to answer (or get the answer to) any question that might have occurred to you. But that's all, on the doorstep. We won't be at all intrusive. After all, we do believe in the Golden Rule.
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⇒ Can I just visit without joining the church?
Of course!  We would be delighted to have you be a part of our worshipping community. You might also want to join in some of the activities and programs of the church.
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⇒ How do I find out more about the church?
First, check out the other pages on this web site.  There you’ll find information on a multitude of activities in our church.  When you visit, our Pastor, or any Deacon or Elder will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
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⇒ If I wanted to, how would I join?
If you want to start on a path to church membership, we ask that you attend an orientation session to get a good grounding in what we are all about, and to get to know some people. This session is offered at various times throughout the year, typically following Sunday Worship.  Please call the office for the next date.
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If you have any other questions, please feel free to Contact Us by email or call us at (513) 422-6365. You will be greeted by a staff member or volunteer who can provide you the answers to your questions.  If you prefer, ask to speak directly to the pastor.