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Opportunities to Serve

The congregation is lead by Ministry Teams to carry out the programs and ministry of First Presbyterian Church.  Standing and ad hoc committees and task forces are formed as needs and activities arise.  Those interested in serving on teams or committees give of their time on a regular basis, attend a variety of meetings and enjoy working as a team.

In providing for the life and nurture of the congregation, the Session provides for the following ministries evaluating yearly their purpose and effectiveness for the mission of Jesus Christ.

  • Parish Life and Membership
  • Adult and Youth Faith Formation
  • Outreach and Mission
  • Worship and Liturgical Life

Parish Life & Membership Ministry

Parish Life & Membership Ministry leads the congregation through its activities that foster hospitality, build community, and encourage participation through fellowship of all members in parish events throughout the year.

With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Parish Life & Membership Ministry Team researches and develops ways in which members may identify and fulfill calls to service, ensuring a diverse participation within the congregation.

Parish Life and Membership Ministry Team specifically:
  • Provides opportunities for fun and fellowship for adults, youth, and children.
  • Oversees and sponsor special dinners and festivities throughout the year including the Harvest Dinner, Suppers of Eight, Congregational Dinners, the Wassail, etc.
  • Welcomes newcomers with Sunday Greeters.  Plan new member’s receptions and assist in involving new members in the active life of the church.

Adult and Youth Faith Formation Ministry

Adult and Youth Faith Formation is a leadership group of parish members who guide and nurture the direction of Christian Formation for children, youth, adults, and families.

With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Adult and Youth Faith Formation Team researches and develops ways in which members may identify and fulfill their calling as disciples of Jesus Christ growing in understanding and knowledge of the Bible, as well as the faith of the Reformed tradition.

Adult and Youth Faith Formation Team specifically:

  • Provides for annual Sunday School program for all ages, including recruitment of teachers.
  • Promotes and coordinates activities for youth.
  • Provides for Child Release time, infant care, and Nursery school liaison.
  • Promotes and coordinates the PC(USA) Pentecost Offering for youth, and recommend to the Session the designation of the local portion of the Pentecost Offering.
  • Recommends and directs ways for the congregation to be involved in church camps and conferences.
  • Plans for and coordinates Vacation Bible School.
  • Uses various media to advertise and promote the Christian Education ministries and programs of First Presbyterian Church in Corning and beyond.
  • Oversees the Church Library, resource materials, and audio visual equipment, providing for a coordinator to communicate the availability and use of the resources.
  • Provides for Confirmation and New Member education in consultation with the Pastor.

Outreach and Mission Ministry

Outreach and Mission Ministry leads the congregation in the service of God, both locally and globally, while assisting the congregation for reaching people with the Gospel. The ministry will foster relationships and support while emphasizing the mission and commission of Jesus, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19); “Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you." (John 20:21)

With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Outreach and Mission Team researches and develops ways in which members may identify and fulfill calls to service, ensuring a diverse participation within the congregation.

Outreach and Mission Ministry Team specifically:
  • Provides for opportunities and training for the congregation in cultivating ways of communicating the Gospel.
  • Uses various media to advertise and promote the ministries and programs of First Presbyterian Church in Corning and beyond.
  • Offers opportunities for newcomers and visitors to become acquainted with First Presbyterian Church. 
  • Promotes and coordinates the mission offerings of the PC(USA):  Peacemaking Offering, Christmas Joy Offering, and the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering.
  • Recommends to the Session the designation of the local portion of Peacemaking Offering.
  • Recommends and directs ways for the congregation to be involved in ecumenical and interfaith activities within the community and beyond.
  • Coordinates projects relating to various local and global ministries:  Salvation Army, Community Food Pantry, 2-cents-a-meal, CROP Walk, etc.
  • Provides for opportunities and training for the congregation in promoting peace and justice issues in which the membership can be involved individually and as a group.
  • Provides for opportunities for mission trips, support of missionaries, mission projects.

Worship and Liturgical Life Ministry

Worship and Liturgical Life Ministry leads the congregation, working alongside with the pastor, to support the services and programs of the church related to worship and liturgical life.

Worship is the central action of the Church’s life.  All else that the church does—both in its life together and in its ministry in the world—is rooted in the worship of God.  The vitality of a church’s worship will largely determine the vitality of all other aspects of its life.  Worship and Liturgical Life helps shape the church’s liturgical response to God.

With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Worship and Liturgical Life Ministry Team researches and develops ways in which members may grow in their understanding of both communal and personal worship, recognizing the needs of all ages of the congregation and the relationship of our church’s tradition to changing cultural and religious patterns. 

The Team develops and uses forms of worship as guided by the “Directory for Worship” of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as well as other resources in shaping a rich liturgical life.

Worship and Liturgical Life Ministry Team specifically:

  • Plans and provides for the worship of God in regular and special services of worship, in consultation with the Pastor and the Music Director.
  • Oversees the space where worship is conducted, including its arrangement and furnishings:  Flowers, Candles, Banners, Paraments, and Objects of Art.
  • Oversees the Sacraments with proper delegation of responsibilities to elders and deacons.
  • Provides for and guide liturgists for Sunday as well as special services.
  • Develops and guides, in consultation with the Pastor and the Music Director, the music program of the church, including adult and children’s choral music and instrumental music and instruments:  piano, organ, hand bells, etc.
  • Oversees and provides for sound system operators, ushers and volunteers attending to attendance, pew racks, etc.
  • Provides for worship bulletins.
  • Encourages and arranges for, in consultation with the Music Director, special musical offerings and programs by groups within and outside the church.
  • Oversees care and tuning of all musical instruments.
  • Plans and providse for seasonal decorations for the whole church.
  • Uses various media to advertise and promote Sunday worship and other celebrations throughout the year.

Ministry with Families

At First Presbyterian we strive to be a church that actively supports families by designing a vibrant ministry in which families can make connections, grow in their faith, worship together and use their gifts to care for others. As we are dreaming the future in this transition time, we are gathering resources in continuing to build this ministry so that families find their faith home in our community and be strengthened to journey together in a fast-changing world.

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First Presbyterian Church of Corning, NY