For visitors, we hope that this will be a place where you can find out more about First Presbyterian Church (FPC). For members, we hope this will be a resource for you to find information that you need quickly and easily.
First Presbyterian Church is at the corner of SW 2nd and 3rd Street, in Gainesville. (Phone: 352-378-1527)
Worship Services: 8:30 a.m. Iona Chapel, 10:55 a.m. Sanctuary
Our 10:55 a.m. service is broadcast live on WRUF, AM 850 on Sunday morning
at 11:00 a.m.
Download Audio Sermons (mp3 format)
A Word From Our Pastor
Acts 16:5 For several weeks we have been focusing on stewardship and helping our church congregation to grow and develop. Read Dr. Shettler's thoughts on this and our Session's recent decision to engage our congregation in a two year journey with the "Acts 16:5 Initiative"in his article"Strengthened in Faith" (from the May Bugle).
Rev. Larry Hendon preaching:
Sunday, July 5 "Freedom and Truth" John 8:31-32
The Rev. Dr. Bob Shettler preaching:
Sunday, July 12 "Hide and Seek With God! Jeremiah 29:11-14
Rev. Larry Hendon preaching:
Sunday, July 19 Songs of the People: Further Along" Psalms 120-122
Rev. Larry Hendon preaching:
Sunday, July 26 "Songs of the People: Out of the Depths" Psalm 130
Come worship with us!
This Month's Calendar of Activities
Take a look at our Church Calendar: A day to day listing of worship schedule, events and activities, committee meetings, and more. This Month at First Presbyterian
Daily Devotional
Read the Daily Devotional from "The Upper Room" web site.
Links to national and presbytery web sites
Presbyterian Church (USA Presbytery of St. Augustine.
Open for Prayer
Iona Chapel will be open from 12:15-12:45 p.m. for prayer Monday - Friday. Come and pray for our pastors, the programs at FPC and for volunteers that are needed to make our programs successful.
KIDS-4-GOD (Out for the Summer)
A spiritually rewarding experience for kids, 1st through 6th grade, takes place during the second half of Sunday Worship. They will leave following the "Time for Young Disciples" with Pastor Larry and the leadership team. The children rejoin their families at noon in Gordon Hall.
Like Organ Music?
A CD with Mark Coffey, organist and our C.B. Fisk Opus 119 organ is now available. Professionally produced, cost $15, all proceeds will benefit the ministry of music. Available in Gordon Hall after services on Sunday or in the church office.
FPC College Scholarships
Congratulations to our 2009 recipients of the FPC College Scholarships: Mumbi Ngugi and Xochil Wilson - John R. Greenman Scholarship, Meg Brodeur and Steven Decker - William K. Robertson Scholarship, Rachel Coffey, Katie Howard and Traci Reynolds - Kirkpatrick Family Scholarship, Madeleine Coffey, Kathryn Israel, Meilan Sun, Libby Wood and Joey Young - J. Wayne Reitz Scholarship, Lyndel Bailey - The Frances Millikan Reitz Scholarship
Judyth Dawson Choral Scholarship
The Chancel Choir and other FPC members have established the scholarship in honor of Judy/s 26 years of service to FPC and our music program. On April 6, Judy's many contributions were formally recognized with a reception following worship. The scholarship will support students from UF who participate in the Chancel Choir of FPC.
Music Camp!
Music Camp, 2009 was offered June 8 - 12 , 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This day camp is offered each year for children entering Kindergarten - 9th grade in the fall. Activities include worship, choir, Orff, crafts and recreation. This year the cost was $50. Extended camp is available. Please speak to Mark Coffey or Carol McCoy (378-1527) for more information and keep it in mind for 2010.
First Presbyterian Preschool
Our Preschool now has expanded times. For more information, go to Preschool. We have a new Preschool Director, Lisa Hershkowitz. (e-mail: preschool@1stpc.org) Call 376-1818 for more information. News! Our new preschool recently received a recognition plaque -Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County, Gold Seal Recognition, First Presbyterian Preschool 2005-2006. Our fall program begins August 18.
Choirs
Summer Choir ends JUly 12, 9:30 a.m. Come if you like to sing. Chancel Choir begins again August 23.
We have several choirs leading worship throughout the year. They are the Chancel, Senior, Junior, Cherub, Alleluia, Adult Handbell and Youth Handbell choirs. For more information and rehearsal schedules. Chancel Choir has Thursday evening practices during the "school year" (7:30 - 9:30 p.m.). These will rersume in late August. Come join a choir!
Youth Connection
Meets Sundays at 5:30 p.m. Check the schedule.
College Fellowship and Young Adults
University of Florida Santa Fe Community College Students: First Presbyterian Church College Fellowship had a great year. Come join us! See pictures from the New Orleans Relief Trip.
College Scholarships. Several special FPC scholarships are available. Information and applications are available in the church office.
Plan Now to Join Us For Spiritual Enrichment In 2009-10!
Adult Sunday School
The Gordon-Hoover Bible Study meets Sundays at 9:30 a.m. For schedule:
Hoover Bible Study
The Present Word Class meets at 9:45 a.m. in the small conference room off the serving room. Present Word
Genesis: (9:30 a.m. library) Beginning February 15 with Betsy Berry the class will watch presentations by
Dr. Mickey Efird on DVD. Please join us!
Our midweek LOGOS ministry meets on Wednesdays. It will begin again in Septemaber (2009). LOGOS is our mid-week program for children and youth from Kindergarten through High School. Four parts make up LOGOS: playtime, Bible Study, Worship Skills, Family Time.
Check out our LOGOS page for more information.
The 2009 - 2010 Concert Series will be available online! Watch for it. Some of our concerts last year were "Horns and Pipes, September 28, 4:00 p.m. The strong brass with the organ made a wonderful experience! It was a benefit for IHN. On Nov. 23rd we had: Organ Duets: Janette Fishell and Colin Andrews. On Dec. 14th and 21st: The Festivl of Nine Lessons and Carols. Plan to come this year! Most concerts are Sundays, 4:00 p.m.
Are you looking for a church home? Becoming a member of First Presbyterian is a simple process we call Three Steps to Membership. Check it out! If you visit one of our services, see our Pastor or one of the Elders at the front of the Sanctuary after Worship for more information or to initiate membership.
Our Local Mission and Service Committee will be highlighting several different agencies this year. FPC supports a variety of organizations designed to help people in Gainesville and Alachua County.
We are located in the heart of downtown Gainesville, Florida. If you would like to contact us by phone, mail or email, please visit our contact page.
If you would like to know more about the theology of the Presbyterian Church, you might be interested in reading Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ a recent publication discussing several of our core beliefs.
