A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR

How does one define a church? What is the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Airy? There are many ways to answer this question. There’s the “physical” way. As early as 1848, a small group of Presbyterians living in Mount Airy decided to come together and form a new church. Ten years later, the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Airy was officially founded in June 1858. So certainly we are defined by our history and the facilities we have been blessed with for so long.

But the church is not simply a building – it is also the people that gather together. It is the young children playing in the nursery, the youth at the Lighthouse enjoying a Sunday night snack supper, the Women of the Church circle meeting. It is the family of four attending Vacation Bible School, the choir rehearsing on a Wednesday night, the staff at a bimonthly meeting. It is the adult Sunday school class, and it is certainly our church family gathered in weekly worship. In truth, First Presbyterian Church can be defined by its people – young and old alike, families and singles, long-time members and new visitors.

Finally, we can define our church by the One who called us together in the first place, almost 150 years ago, to be witnesses to God’s love and light in a darkening world. God is the center of who we are, and Jesus is how we understand God’s will for our lives. Together we remain committed to living into our mission and pursuing our vision, which you’ll find below. Most of all, we remain committed to Jesus, who has called this church into being to serve as a testament to God’s grace, mercy and love. And for that we loudly proclaim: thanks be to God!

In November 2005, the session of First Presbyterian Church adopted an official mission and vision statement, both of which are designed to guide and inform our church over the next decade. The mission statement seeks to describe who we are at the moment. The vision statement paints a picture of who we wish to become, with God’s help. Both are vital tools in guiding our church’s overall ministry.

OUR MISSION:

We are a community of Christians

Celebrating the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Gathering in God’s grace,

To worship and serve our Lord.

OUR VISION:

We envision our church as a growing community of excited Christians

Who glorify God through spiritual growth,

Congregational nurturing,

Passionate mission and service,

And active participation in the life of the church!