Worship has been described as "the primary work of the congregation." It is certainly critical in the life and ministry of the church. Worship is the one activity that involves the entire congregation. It is our primary contact with our community. When people are looking for a church they start by attending worship. And often it is worship that becomes the deciding factor in determining whether or not a person will continue a relationship with a church. Most people consider worship to be the primary motivation and encouragement for the life of faith.
At First Presbyterian worship is a vibrant blend of worship styles, music, the dramatic and visual arts, and participatory engagement of the congregation. Our aim is to capture the energy and spiritual quality of contemporary worship while embracing the richness of traditional worship.
Worship design and content are highly regarded at First Presbyterian. Staff resources are devoted to the careful planning of each service. We began 2025 with the annual worship theme: “Rooted in Faith, Growing in Grace”. A monthly theme is selected to support that theme. Recent themes include:
A Message From Pastor RJ Leek
01/30/26
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has faced steady decline, losing 48,885 members in 2024 alone, bringing total active membership to 1,045,594 by year's end—a roughly 4.5% drop. At a consistent rate of about 48,000 members per year, projections suggest the denomination could fall below one million in 2025 and continue shrinking, potentially reaching near-zero in a few decades under a simple linear model. Yet amid these sobering trends, Scripture reminds us that the true Church is never confined to buildings or rolls—it's the living body of Christ sent into the world.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:14–16 (NIV)In an era when pews grow emptier, and membership numbers dwindle—48,000 souls fewer each year in our denomination—it's tempting to cling tighter to the familiar walls of sanctuary and session. But Jesus never called us to preserve institutions at all costs. He called us to be the Church in the streets, workplaces, neighborhoods, and coffee shops—where people hunger for hope beyond statistics. The early church thrived not because of grand cathedrals, but because believers scattered, sharing the gospel in homes, markets, and prisons (Acts 8:4). Today, as numbers decline, God may be pruning us to rediscover our sent identity. The Church exists outside walls when we listen to the lonely neighbor, advocate for justice in our communities, offer grace to the marginalized, and live out radical love in everyday encounters. Membership rolls may fade, but the mission endures. Every act of kindness, every invitation to faith, every stand for truth extends the Church's reach. We are not defined by declining figures but by the risen Christ who promises, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). Lord, shake us from complacency. Send us beyond these walls to shine Your light where it's darkest. May our lives, not just our ledgers, testify to Your unending kingdom. Amen.