We are proud of our gifted and talented staff
Hey! I’m Matt the pastor here at First Presbyterian Church. Serving this congregation and community is a great joy for me. I am a husband to Meredith, a father to Olivia (and new baby coming in February ’08), and a loyal friend to our dog, Malachi. I love to read American History, I collect coins, I love a good steak, and I am an avid TV watcher. The goal of my ministry is to invite people into a relationship with Jesus and then coach them along that journey. One of my favorite Bible passages is Jesus’ last words in the Matthew’s Gospel “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Pastor – The Rev. Dr. Matthew Sauer
Hi, I am Cathy Wallander, the voice you hear on the phone! I enjoy
working at First Presbyterian because of the friendly people I get to
meet everyday. I live in Manitowoc, with my husband, Greg and a Golden
Retriever, Abby. I enjoy photography, scrapbooking, bicycling and spending
time with my family and friends. My favorite two quotes are by photographer
Ansel Adams: “Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready
to have somebody click the shutter” and “A photograph is
usually looked at - seldom looked into.” I’m always here
to serve and help you in any way that I can.
Office Manager – Cathy
Wallander
Hi! I'm Ann M. Herrmann and I've been the Chancel Choir Director at
First Pres since 1998. Out of all the staff at First Pres, I have the
best job because I get to work with the best choir in the world. This
congregation is truly blessed to have such a dedicated group of musicians.
When not directing the choir, I work at Manitowoc Public Library in
the Children's Department. My favorite hymn is "Here I Am, Lord"
by Daniel L. Schutte and my favorite Bible verse comes from the book
of Psalms. Ps. 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."
Choir Director – Ann
Herrmann
I am Ann S. Gold, and a lifelong church musician, I am married to Gary
and we are parents to two wonderful adults Sarah and Andrew. The exciting
part of the work I do for First Presbyterian is discovering the hidden
musical talents of the members and enabling them to use those talents
in praise to God. I enjoy finding gourmet recipes and preparing them
for family and friends. Psalm 121 and Galatians 6 offer me inspiration
and comfort.
Bell Choir Director – Ann
Gold
I am Peter J. Klein; I live in Two rivers and own a small tax and accounting
office. After working with ledgers and numbers during the week playing
the organ helps me relax. I see myself as quiet and thorough. I have
traveled to Europe three times and enjoy traveling. My greatest hope
is that my playing is some small way, can create an atmosphere of reverence
in which people can feel a closer relationship with God, and worship
him in a better way.
Organist – Peter
Klein
My name is Laurel Hooper and I get the privilege of caring for your
children in the Church Nursery. I am a mother and grandmother and have
cared for children in my home for years. My hobbies include sewing,
reading, and cake decorating. I have recently taken up cooking decorating
– some of which have made it into the Church Nursery! One of my
motto’s is “happiness isn’t something you experience
it is something you remember.” What I like most about working
at First Presbyterian Church is the great smiles on all the children.
Nursery Supervisor – Laurel
Hooper
Organist – Ann
Gold
Christian Education Coordinator – Diane
Wick
Praise Band – Tim
Maatman and Phyllis
Schippers
Cooperative Preschool Director/Teacher – Debbie
Lehman
Cooperative Preschool Aide – Anne
Custodian – David Mrotek
HISTORY OVERVIEW OF PRESBYTERIANS
The Presbyterian church, like all Christian churches, traces its roots
back to the early church in Jerusalem. Modern Presbyterianism is considered
by many to be a rebirth of the early church of the New Testament.
The Protestant Reformation moved forward in 1517 when Martin Luther
nailed his 95 Theses to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany. Luther
fought against the pretensions of authority by the Pope and called for
direct authority from God.
John Calvin, called the father of Presbyterianism, converted to Protestantism
in 1533. He interpreted the Bible as the revelation of God, emphasizing
theology, worship, education, thrift, ethical behavior and representative
government for his followers. From his home city, Geneva, Calvin's ideas
spread throughout Europe.
The Scottish Protestant, John Knox, fled persecution in his homeland
and studied with Calvin in Geneva. He returned in 1559 and established
Presbyterianism in Scotland.
In England the "Westminster Assembly" of 151 Presbyterians
worked steadily between 1643 and 1649 to write the doctrinal guides
which Presbyterians now recognize as some of their basic texts.
Presbyterians escaped persecution in Europe and settled in America.
Presbyterianism was so prevalent in America that some British called
the American Revolution the "Presbyterian Revolt." At least
14 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Presbyterians (including
clergyman John Witherspoon).
The first presbytery in America was established in Philadelphia in 1706.
During the 1800s, disagreement over slavery and Evangelism broke the
church into northern and southern branches. The two branches reunited
in 1983 to form the Presbyterian Church (USA).
First Presbyterian Church in Manitowoc was organized in 1851. We respect
our history but are forwarding looking. We seek to discern how God is
calling us to be faithful in the 21st century. Our goals are to be relevant
to our community and members.
THE PURPOSE OF THE PC(USA)
6 Great ends of being the Church (G-1.0200)
* The proclamation of the Gospel for the salvation of humankind;
*The shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God;
*The maintenance of divine worship;
* The preservation of the truth;
* The promotion of social righteousness; and
* The exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.
THE PURPOSE OF CPC
4 Components to being a faithful congregation
* Glorifying God through vibrant, relevant worship and praise in all
areas of life;
* Nurturing disciples of all ages through education, relationships,
and prayer;
* Sharing the Gospel of joyful salvation with our community and beyond;
* Serving the world in the name of Jesus.
MAKING CHRIST-CENTERED DECISIONS
7 Questions for discerning Christ’s will when
making decisions
* Does it fulfill the intent of the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17),
The Beatitudes (Luke 6:20-31), and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19)?
* Does it glorify God or the institutional church?
* Does it serve the spiritual, physical, and mental needs of God’s
people?
* Does it help all creation, neighbors, and family live a quality life
of discipleship?
* Does it answer the question “What Would Jesus Do?”
* Is it being decided in the midst of humble, prayerful discernment;
* Is the answer easily understood by and shared with the body of Christ;
INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE WITHIN THE PRESBYTERIAN
TRADITION
7 Guidelines to Interpreting Scripture
* Jesus Christ is the lens in which all scripture is viewed
* Pray for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit
* Pay attention to the cultural, historical, and sociological context
* Be guided by the “rule of faith” as expressed though Church
history
* Be in accord with the “rule of love” -- loving God and
loving neighbor.
* Engage in earnest exploration not simply confirmation
* Let Scripture interpret Scripture
We Believe. . .
* In God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. God’s
sovereignty, power, holiness, and love creates, sustains, rules and
redeems the world.
* In Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior - Immanuel, "God with us." Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God on earth, the Head of the Church and lord of the conscience of each member.
* In the Holy Spirit, "God within us," the continuing power and presence of God in the world and in the believer.
* In the Bible as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative witness to God as revealed in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit guides our understanding of scripture. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the written word in scripture becomes the living Word of God.
* In the priesthood of all believers (which means, simply put, that all Christians, and not just the ordained clergy, have connections with God) and in the continuing reformation of the Church. God calls us to serve others through active engagement with the world in which we live. God calls us to love one another, to pray for one another, and to bear one another's burdens.
* In justification by grace through faith. In short, this means that God, by grace and not as a result of any merit or thing we have done on our own, "sanctifies" and "saves us" from the penalty of sin. We accept this gift of grace by faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son and the Savior of the world. Hence, we are justified (made right) with God by grace (God's grace) through faith in Jesus Christ.
For more detailed explanation of our belief please check-out these
web-sites:
* www.pcusa.org/101/
An ongoing series articles from the award winning magazine Presbyterians
Today that explore the Biblical and theological foundations of "what
Presbyterians believe." The authors have given permission for these
articles to be reproduced.
* www.pcusa.org/today/believe/believe A general guide to facts about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that appear on the our denominational web-site.