About Us
We believe “In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth praying, ‘Come, Lord Jesus.’” —From “A Brief Statement of Faith”
At the core of Presbyterian identity is a secure hope in the grace of God in Jesus Christ, a hope that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, empowers us to live lives of gratitude: “In affirming with the earliest Christians that Jesus is Lord, the Church confesses that he is its hope, and that the Church, as Christ’s body, is bound to his authority and thus free to live in the lively, joyous reality of the grace of God.” (Book of Order F-1.0204)
This strong emphasis on the grace of God in Jesus Christ is our heritage from the founder of the Reformed tradition, John Calvin.
Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin are still at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers. What these tenets mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God’s purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God’s generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone’s job — ministers and lay people alike — to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike.
We believe “In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth praying, ‘Come, Lord Jesus.’” —From “A Brief Statement of Faith”
At the core of Presbyterian identity is a secure hope in the grace of God in Jesus Christ, a hope that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, empowers us to live lives of gratitude: “In affirming with the earliest Christians that Jesus is Lord, the Church confesses that he is its hope, and that the Church, as Christ’s body, is bound to his authority and thus free to live in the lively, joyous reality of the grace of God.” (Book of Order F-1.0204)
This strong emphasis on the grace of God in Jesus Christ is our heritage from the founder of the Reformed tradition, John Calvin.
Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin are still at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers. What these tenets mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God’s purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God’s generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone’s job — ministers and lay people alike — to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike.
First Presbyterian Church History
On February 12, 1854, a group of Presbyterians gathered in the home of Susan N. Combs to organize a church. Six years later they moved to the basement of the brick church they were building on Sixth Street that later became known as The Sixth Street Church. The building was never completed. Fifty-four members of the church decided to unite with the Presbyterian Church US. This congregation was active in developing mission churches. The first was known as the Walnut Grove Church. Soon to follow were three churches in south St. Joseph: Riverside, Lacy Chapel, and Hyde Park. In 1971 with the union of the Northern and Southern Presbyterian churches, we became part of the United Presbyterian Church, USA (PCUSA).
On February 12, 1854, a group of Presbyterians gathered in the home of Susan N. Combs to organize a church. Six years later they moved to the basement of the brick church they were building on Sixth Street that later became known as The Sixth Street Church. The building was never completed. Fifty-four members of the church decided to unite with the Presbyterian Church US. This congregation was active in developing mission churches. The first was known as the Walnut Grove Church. Soon to follow were three churches in south St. Joseph: Riverside, Lacy Chapel, and Hyde Park. In 1971 with the union of the Northern and Southern Presbyterian churches, we became part of the United Presbyterian Church, USA (PCUSA).
FPC 1889
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FPC 1915
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Present day aerial photo of the FPC Campus
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News, Events & Media
Session Meeting Results in Some Cancellations (3/17/2020 @ 9:15 pm)
Dear First Presbyterian Church Family, After considerable discussion, your Session has decided to cancel all worship services, fellowship activities, and church meetings until further notice. The Session is complying with the city proclamation as well as the state and national suggestions concerning gatherings. The well-being and safety of our members was the driving force behind this decision. The Session will keep you informed moving forward. I will be preparing and posting weekly messages with prayer and Scripture readings that you will be able to access so we can continue to be a community gathered around the Word. Look for more information as we move forward. Please check on one another and let me know if you hear of a need or concern one of our church family has. We are a community grounded in the love of our Gracious God and let each one of us, in this time of uncertainty, share this love with others. In His service, Pastor Kemper |
Quick Links
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Church Office & Building Closed (3/18/2020 @9:00 am)
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First Presbyterian Church
301 North Seventh Street Saint Joseph, MO 64501 Main: (816) 232-3358 Fax: (816) 232-3359 fpchurchoffice@att.net Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 am |
