The Presbyterian Church (USA), of which First Presbyterian is a part, works to affirm the worth of all persons, including those in the LGBTQ community. The governing body of our church, the Session, affirms ours as a welcoming and affirming congregation.  All are welcome to join in worship, fellowship, and service!

 

This month, our society marks Black History Month, this year celebrating the contribution of Black artists and musicians to cultural life over the past years and in our time.

 

Our church’s children will be learning this month of how God’s love extends to all people, how people from a wide variety of places and backgrounds are included in God’s love.  We remember as well the prophet’s call for “justice to flow down like rivers, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream,” part of our call as Christ’s followers to work toward a day of justice that encompasses all people, to include those who have too often been kept from the life that God intends.

 

Our PCUSA Mission staff penned this prayer as we continue to work and hope for the reign of God to be established:

 

God of justice, hope, love and mercy,

help us to continually live into the church that you have called us to be.

Compel us to stand against injustice wherever it may be found.

Provoke us to hold firm to the gospel message of inclusion and equity.

And empower us to continually be salt and light

in a world that so desperately needs more representation of your Spirit.

We love you and strive to love others in the same way.

Through God’s grace, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.