Sunday Morning Worship – Every Sunday, we gather at 10:00a.m. for an inspiring worship which is a mix of traditional and contemporary elements. Here you will experience a group of people who are eager see friends and make new friends. Scripture has a central place in our worship, as does the invitation to experience Jesus in a personal way. Our goal is for every person to feel the presence of God in worship and be inspired to share that joy with the world. We are family-friendly, which means:
• Children are welcome in worship! We offer a staffed nursery for children under the age of 4 for parents who desire this. We also offer children’s worship bags and a quiet room for wee ones who need space to move.
• Hearing, sight and physically impaired individuals are welcome in worship! We have large print bulletins and hymnals. We also have hearing assistive devices available. Our sanctuary is accessible via the elevator located at the 8th Street entrance.
• Divorced, Single, Elderly, Teenagers, Gay, Straight, Republican, Democrat, and anything else you can think of are welcome to worship with us!
1st and 3rd Sunday Evening Praise and Worship
– Celebration Praise is our emerging worship experience for those
who want to worship with an edge. We meet in the ground level Fellowship
Hall at 6:00p.m. on the First and Third Sundays of every month. Through
contemporary music, food, and discussion we explore what it means to
be Christian. September 2007 - August 2008 we are exploring how the
lyrics of Classic Rock Songs can teach us about being a Christian. Worship
is led by a live Praise Band and multimedia images.
Baptism – Baptisms are our recognition of God’s call to us to be disciples. For many, baptism happens as an infant with parents acknowledging God’s call. For others, it happens a youth or as an adult. In either case, we are always excited to celebrate baptisms. We can baptize during either worship service and can even gather on the shores of Lake Michigan for baptism by immersion.
Weddings – Wedding ceremonies are another wonderful way that we glorify God by celebrating love. If you are interested in getting married, please contact Pastor Matt and download the Wedding Information Booklet and Form.
Funerals – Memorial services and funerals are also ways that we glorify God for giving life on this earth and eternal life in the realm of God. If you would like to learn more about planning a funeral or memorial service, you are invited to download our Funeral Guide.
Special Worship Opportunities
• First Presbyterian Church participates in many worship experiences
with other congregations throughout the year. Some of these times are:
Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter Sunrise, Thanksgiving Day, Week of
Christian Unity, World Aids Day, and Peace Prayers.
• The six weeks preceding Easter is a time for reflection on the love of God that is known as Lent. We host Wednesday evening dinners and worship during this time.
• Outdoor Worship is held every July in the Lincoln Park.
• Christmas Eve is always a special time for families to gather and remember the true meaning of Christmas. Our service includes scripture readings, traditional carols, candle lighting and communion.
• Easter Sunrise is a tradition for First Presbyterian Church. On Easter morning, the faithful gather on shore of Lake Michigan and worship as the sun rises as an eternal symbol of the rising of the Son of God.
• There are many more unique opportunities to worship
that arise during the year – many are suggested by our friends
and members.
Communion – You will hear it called the Eucharist, The Lord’s Table, or Communion – they are all the same thing. This is the joyful feast of the people of the people of God. During this celebration, we remember and reenact the covenant in which Jesus forgives us and promises us eternal life. We celebrate Communion on the first Sunday every month and many other special times throughout the year. Pastor Matt is happy to bring communion to you if you are unable to attend worship.
SERVE THE WORLD
First Presbyterian Church is actively involved in exhibiting the Kingdom of God to world by serving our community, nation, and world. Over one half of our annual budget is geared towards serving others in the name of Jesus. Members are encouraged to become involved personally with our mission partners so that we transform our own hearts as we transform the world.
In addition to our money, First Presbyterian Church has committed its building to be a place for civic groups and non-profit agencies to meet and hold retreats so they may carry our their work.
On our Links page, you will find many of our mission partners listed. We are always seeking more ways to make a difference in our community and world. If you have ideas simply let the church office know here.
REACH THE WORLD
First Presbyterian Church believes that the more fun we have together in the name of Christ, the more others will want to join us. Therefore, we have many activities designed to reach out to community with excitement and fun. These also help our friends and members get to know one another better. These include:
• Rally Day is held in early September and is the kick-off to our program year. At this breakfast gathering, education, mission, and fellowship events are shared for the coming program year.
• Fall Dinner is a themed dinner over laughter and fun.
• Halloween Haunted Walk is a great time of innocent fun for young family.
• Advent Decorating is a lunch combined with decorating our church for the Advent and Christmas seasons.
• Out With the Old, In With the New is special dinner designed to help us prepare for the new year. Advent and Christmas decorations are taken down at this time.
• Lenten Dinners are a combination dinner and worship during the six weeks preceding Easter.
• Breakfast with the Easter Bunny is family-friendly event that includes and egg hunt, a craft, stories, and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
• Spring Dinner is a themed dinner over laughter and fun.
• Family Fun Day is held every July at Lincoln Park in Manitowoc. This day begins with Sunday Morning Worship in the park and continues with a cook-out and games.
• Annual Block Party is a fun time for families and individuals to have a good meal, listen to live music, play games, and make new friends.
SUPPORT STRUCTURES
Like any active organization, First Presbyterian Church has administrative
needs. Our church wishes to nurture the best from our staff and maintain
great facilities. There are many opportunities for volunteers to help
with our administrative needs.
CARE FOR MEMBERS
First Presbyterian Church is congregation made of diverse
people with diverse needs. It is important for us to be family by helping
each other. Our Deacon’s Ministry assures that members are cared
for during transitions in life that may include health issues, relocations,
grief, home repair, and financial crises.
Children
• LifePath Sunday School is our primary form of educating our
children in what it means to be an active disciple of Jesus. Classes
run Sunday mornings, September – May, beginning at 8:45a.m. in
the chapel located in our education building off of the parking lot.
We use the Rotation Model of Sunday School which means that children
learn the same Bible story for 4-6 weeks. Each week, children experience
the story in a new way – Stories, Drama, Cooking, Computers, Games,
Art, or Bible Discovery. For more information, contact our Christian
Education Coordinator, Diane
Wick.
• The Cooperative Preschool is a ministry of First Presbyterian Church but is open to any preschool child. It is the oldest Preschool in the city of Manitowoc, begun in 1962. There are classes for 3-year-olds and 4- year-olds. Contact the Preschool director, Deb Lehman for more information.
• Scouting – First Presbyterian Church is home to several Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups.
• Family events – Through out the year, First Presbyterian Church hosts several family-friendly events such as a Halloween Party, an Easter Bunny Visit, and a trip to Bay Beach.
Youth
• T.R.A.C. – “Teens Reaching After Christ” is
our Youth Ministry Program. They meet roughly twice a month. Activities
include movies, overnight retreats, discussions, Mystery Trips, and
just hanging out. Our Youth Leaders are Todd
and Kim Gorter.
• Youth Sunday – Once a year, the youth are invited to plan and lead a Sunday Morning Worship Service.
• Sunday Mornings there are two options for youth: A 6-12 grade class is held when youth are present. They are also welcome to join the adult class in the Church library.
• Confirmation Class is held every other year for 8th and 9th graders. The purpose of Confirmation class is to introduce youth to the basics about the Christian Faith and to being Presbyterian. At the end of Confirmation class, students may choose to join the active membership of First Presbyterian Church.
Adults
• Sunday Sojourners is our Sunday morning adult education class.
The class meets in the Church Library of the Education Building at 8:45a.m.
Sundays, September – May. This class is discussion-based and covers;
Biblical, Theological, and Current Events. Download the 2007-2008 class
schedules.
• Monday Noon Bible Study meets every Monday at noon in the Church Library of the Education Building. The class meets from 12:00-1:00p.m. and participants are welcome to bring a lunch to eat. The goal of this class is walk through the Bible thematically – a goal of 4-5 years.
• Men’s Faith Discussion meets the fourth Thursday of every month at the Bistro of Felician Village at 7:00a.m. Breakfast is available for those who desire. Currently the group is studying the Gospel of Mark. For more information contact Merritt Wilcox.
• Small Group Book Studies take place at various
times in the course of a month. Currently their groups reading through:
The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey, A New Kind of Christian by
Brian McLaren, and Theology for Liberal Presbyterians by Douglass Ottati.
New groups are easy to start; just let Pastor
Matt know of your interest.