Worship is central to our being a church community. It is the time in the week set aside for rejuvenation, learning, praising God, and being together in communion with each other. Through song and prayer, and in hearing the spoken and sung word of God, we grow together and learn to live and love life.

Sunday Worship

Each Sunday at 11am, we gather for community worship in our Sanctuary. It is a spirit-filled time of singing, hearing God's word, and praying. Our dynamic choir helps to lead worship through a wide range of musical styles, while sermons apply to our personal and community lives, and are based on readings from the Bible. Join us in worship this Sunday!

"The time is always right to do what is right "

~  Martin Luther King, Jr.  ~

May 26, 2019

This Sunday, Rev. Thorne will deliver the sermon "Hold Everything" based on Matthew 11:28-30 and Romans [3:28-30] 5:1-11.  Click here to view the worship bulletin. 

Music

Music is an important element of the worship experience at First Presbyterian Church. A variety of musical styles is part of each service, with jazz, pop Christian, African American spirituals, classical, and old-time hymn-singing all having a place. The congregation enjoys singing, and is led by the choir, the small band, and our organist/accompanist, all under the guidance of the Minister of Music. Read more about our music program.

Preaching

The Word is proclaimed and explained in the course of each worship service. Sermons are based on Scripture and often follow the lectionary of the Christian church. Most Sundays our  Pastor preaches, though from time to time there may be a guest preacher or speaker.

Communion

The Sacrament of Holy Communion is observed on the first Sunday of each month. All are welcome to participate in this sacrament, receiving the bread and the wine or juice. The elements are served by the Elders of the congregation.

Sunday School and Childcare

We offer childcare every Sunday during the worship service for children under the age of 3 years. Our professional caregivers, Patty and Christina, work with volunteers to provide childcare beginning at 9:00 o’clock in the nursery, located upstairs. We also welcome your children if your family prefers to worship together in the sanctuary. Changing areas are available near the restrooms on the ground level and in the nursery.

Our Sunday School curriculum is devoted to the major Bible stories and characters, and involves activities, games, and songs that are intended to make the stories and characters relevant to each child. We use the Worship Rotation Model to teach the same Bible story for 4 consecutive weeks. The first week introduces the Bible story to the whole group; for each of the following 3 weeks, children rotate with their age groups through different workshop experiences (art, video, games, drama, cooking, etc.) each week.

Children are grouped by grade: Kindergarten and 1st Grade; 2nd-4th Grade; and 5th-7th Grade. Children are welcomed in the gymnasium for Sunday School after the Passing of the Peace in the 11:00 o’clock service. They can be met again immediately after worship near the gymnasium. Sunday School is offered  late September through late June. All children are encouraged and welcome to attend.

Fellowship Hour immediately follows Worship in the Elliott Room on the second floor. This is a great opportunity to meet the preacher and others who attended the worship service.

Worship services are streamed live over the Internet. If you find yourself out of town or at home under the weather, you need not miss a minute of the excitement around First Presbyterian Church! Tune in to worship through our website and listen to the music, the sermon, and all the rest of the sounds of worship (sorry, no video). We will provide the worship bulletin in PDF format so that you can follow along. No matter where you are in the world, we will be there, too! But be sure to tune in around 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, because this is Live! From New York!