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Core Values
Prayer
We are called to be a people of prayer. Prayer is the most intimate form of communication with God. Prayer is important because it is one way to grow deeper in our relationship with God. He wants to have a close relationship with us and there is no better way to connect with God than through prayer.
Jesus was a man of prayer so he often left his disciples and the crowds that followed so he could replenish his soul. All of our spiritual batteries run low from time to time, and prayer is a way to recharge and replenish.
Prayer is an integral part of all that we do at First Presbyterian Church. You will find us, as you might expect, praying many times during worship, but we also pray before and after committee meetings and other gatherings and events asking God to be present in all that we do.
As people who desire to be close to God, our prayers take many forms. On Sunday morning our prayers are often formal and quite specific such as our Prayer of Confession and Offertory Prayer. However, we also seek to offer prayers beyond Sunday worship that are more conversational, talking to God as a friend talks to a friend.
Worship
Worship is both a particular act and a life-style. Christian worship ascribes all praise and honor, glory and power to God. In worship we seek to acknowledge that God is present in all aspects of our lives and in all places. He is not confined to a building, but can be encountered in all places and at all times.
In worship we are compelled to remember God’s saving work and his promise to be with us always. Psalm 23 reminds us that even in the darkest places and in the darkest times that God is still with us.
Though it is possible to worship God in any place at any time, we believe that corporate worship is crucial to the life of all people. Our church is a family, it is community that has problems and conflicts but it as family nonetheless. We do not believe that it is possible for a person to fully live out his or her faith apart from a church family.
God created us for relationship with him and with one another. We rejoice and celebrate with one another, we weep and grieve with one another, and share our lives with one another.
Fellowship
Fellowship is very important to Presbyterians. Some have said that to be Presbyterian means that you must have a black belt in eating! It’s true; we love to gather and eat and will for most any occasion.
However, fellowship means more than fried chicken and potato salad. Fellowship happens both inside and outside the church walls. We fellowship by meeting, greeting, and speaking to one another before and after worship services each Sunday morning. We also have fellowship groups that meet for dinner, which is a wonderful way to get to know us. Quite simply, fellowship happens anywhere that people are together and fellowship is important to us because we believe that more relationships that you develop the more connected you will be to the life of First Presbyterian Church.
Mission
Hang around us for very long and you’re sure to hear us talk about mission. Mission, much like our other Core Values, takes many forms. Our youth take a weeklong summer mission trip each year. This past year we helped repair homes in Welch, WV.
Adults have recently completed trips to the hurricane ravaged Gulf region. Plans are underway for a post-Christmas young adult trip to the Gulf. Beyond mission trips, we are involved with many local agencies. And we are not simply a check-writing church; we like to rollup our sleeves and lend a hand. It is not a stretch to say that nearly every non-profit agency in Dalton and Whitfield County has at least one member on the board and/or actively involved in its mission.
Christian Education
The main way that we grow as disciples of Christ is through Christian education. You need not be a biblical scholar to attend one of our classes, but if you will find a class that is right for you too!
We take a holistic approach to education. You will find a traditional Sunday School with classes for all ages and spiritual needs. It meets at 9:30am. You will also discover that we have a full array of study opportunities throughout the week.
Historically, Presbyterians have been known as people who highly regard education. At First Presbyterian Church you will find a dedication to personal growth and Christian formation through study opportunities for all ages and level of knowledge.
Recreation
The church and Dalton community are enjoying our new recreation facility that we call Recreation Place. Whether your desire is to make a few laps around our walking track, shoot hoops in the gym, take an aerobics class, get your heart rate using a treadmill or elliptical trainer, or pump some iron with our Nautilus machines, or have a cup of coffee in our café, we have the place for you.
We believe in a balanced approach to growing disciples. In order to be the persons that God wants us to be, we must be healthy in mind, body, and spirit. The Recreation Place is open throughout the week for fellowship opportunities and physical fitness activities. And is open to the Dalton community as well as church members.
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