We are all searching for something.

The church is the place one finds Christ - and in finding Christ we find deep and fulfilling meaning for our lives.

This will mean something different to each of us. For the more mature Christian our encounter of Christ as Lord leads us to rejoice, worship, and to serve.

For others the encounter is one of comfort and the binding up of wounds as they encounter Christ as their Savior. This happens through prayer, worship, the nurture and love of the church family, and through our pastoral care. Those who seek shall find these things in the church.

For yet others the encounter is one of exploration and growth. Discovering, for some, a personal relationship with Christ while for others it is a time of renewal and rededication. We invite all who are searching and yearning for an often un-named something to be with us. We take this search seriously and ask you to contact the Pastor who will be delighted to share and explore these things with you.

The decision to unite with a church is an important one. It is more than joining a club, it is responding to God's grace and love in Jesus Christ. It is an important decision, not to be taken lightly. It is an opportunity to examine not only the church, but also ourselves and our relationship with Jesus Christ.

People often wonder what is expected of them when they join a particular church. Here are some basic suggestions which will help you answer that question. If, after reflection, you want to discuss any of them, please contact our ministers or the church office.

• Joining the church offers a fellowship of people who love and care for you, people to support you in your life journey. Joining the church meets needs for you and, if they are not met, the church has failed you.
• Joining the church is a time to reexamine your faith. It is something we take for granted. Ask yourself, "What do I seriously believe about, God? About life? About Jesus Christ? About hope?".
• Joining the church is a time to look at your relationships with other people. How much of your time is centered on your own interests and needs? How much time do you give to minister to the needs and concerns of others? A Christian finds joy in sharing life with others.
• Joining the church is a time to look at your gifts and talents. Many people say, "I don't have any talents." Not so. Everyone has talents. We have been gifted by God, and we must find those gifts and use them for the good of others as well as ourselves.
• Joining the church is a time to examine your values. What is truly important to you? Is it wealth? Recognition? The love and respect of friends? This is a time to decide... to examine your priorities and ask,"How do I invest my time, energy, talent, mind and money?"
• Joining the church is a good time. This may be one of the most important times of your life. In it, you took a hard look at your life and made decisions which can change and renew your life, leading you in the direction you truly want to go.

The process of becoming part of First Presbyterian Church contains three steps. The first is to let us know of your interest by checking the column on the Ritual of Friendship when you are next in worship, or speaking directly with the minister. The second step involves meeting with the Session to officially join the church. The third step is getting involved and finding your special place in the life of the church.

The official act of joining the church occurs in one of three ways:

• Profession of Faith and Baptism, for persons uniting with the Church on adult profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who have not been baptized before; for young people this occurs after Confirmation Class.
• Reaffirmation of Faith, for persons who have previously held membership in a Christian church, but who for various reasons have not been part of a worshiping community in recent years.
• Letter of transfer from another church. Our church will send for such a letter after one unites with FPC.

All who unite with the church can expect to confirm or confess their faith by answering a form of the following:

• Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and depend upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?
• Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as befits the followers of Christ?
• Do you promise to serve Christ in His Church by supporting and participating in its worship and work, and the giving of your time, talents, and treasure to the best of your ability?

Confirmation classes for those who desire to affirm the voiws taken for them at their baptism. Members of the class are led in an exploration about their faith, relationship to Christ and the importance of what it means to be a Christian. Confirmands are examined by the Session and are then received into the church as full members.

The Presbyterian church affirms both infant and adult Baptisms. Adult Baptism is normally administered to adults who have not yet been Baptized before joining the church.

Infant Baptism is administered to the children of Christian parents, the rule being that at least one parent must be a professing Christian and a member of the church. Baptism properly takes place in a regular worship service with the congregation present as witnesses and "sponsors," accepting a share of responsibility for the Christian nurture of the child. Parents may call the Pastor's office to make arrangements for their child to be baptized.

Like most things, your experience at First Presbyterian Church will be richer or leaner depending on your own desire. We encourage you to contact, directly, the leaders of groups and committees in which you have interest; so you may become involved.

We also strongly encourage you to become active in worship, as well as a Sunday School class. This, and other activities, such as men's breakfast and women of the church, will expand your circle of friends and help find your place in the church.

One further comment regarding the members of this church. One finds here, people from all walks of life. The real strength of First Presbyterian Church lies in these lay men and women of ability and dedication, for whom the Church of Jesus Christ is of primary importance and upon whose time and talents He has first claim. It is this company of concerned men and women, with the church staff, that makes possible the unusually large and varied ministries of this congregation. We expect that all members are committed and have some sort of pledge of time, talent and/or wealth. The amount is less important than the commitment to serve Christ.