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
07/18/25
Suffering often feels like an unwelcome guest, yet Scripture reveals it can be a powerful tool in God’s hands for our growth and transformation. Romans 5:3-4 reminds us to “rejoice in our sufferings, because suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” While painful, suffering can refine us, drawing us closer to God and shaping us into vessels of His grace.
Consider Job, who endured unimaginable loss yet emerged with deeper faith, declaring, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25). His trials stripped away superficial reliance on worldly comforts, anchoring his hope in God alone. Similarly, our hardships—whether illness, loss, or failure—can peel back layers of pride or self-sufficiency, revealing our need for divine strength. Suffering teaches us to lean on God’s promises, fostering resilience and trust.
Moreover, suffering cultivates empathy. 2 Corinthians 1:4 says God “comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive.” Our pain equips us to walk alongside others, offering hope born from shared experience. It also redirects our focus to eternity, reminding us that “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Rather than despair, we can embrace suffering as a divine invitation to grow in faith, character, and compassion. Let us trust God’s purpose in our pain, knowing He is crafting something beautiful through every trial.