FIRST PRESBYTERIAN MENOMINEE

We stand in unity with all Christians who affirm the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. These early confessions of the Christian faith unify all Christians in our belief and hope in Jesus Christ as God's beloved one and only Son. As Christians, we share in a common canon of Scriptures. The Bible is divided into two sections, or Testaments. The Old Testament (Genesis - Malachi) tells of God's creation of the universe, the sinfulness taken on by humankind, and God's redemptive work through Abraham and his descendants, the Israelites. It reveals God's desire to bring us and the world back into right relationship with Him. In the New Testament (Matthew - Revelation), God's redemptive solution is revealed through Jesus Christ. We learn of the teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ, his death on our behalf, his resurrection, and the continued work of the early Church to share the good news of salvation found in Christ. Through both the Old and New Testaments, we are given a full picture of God's incredible love, grace, and compassion.

Like all Christians, we stand in a particular historic tradition. We have our roots in the Reformed branch of the 16th century Protestant Reformation that finds expression around the world in many languages and styles of worship, especially in churches with Reformed, Presbyterian, or Congregational in their names. We take the Reformed tradition seriously with respect to our understanding of Scripture as the inspired Word of God that tells the story of the creation of the world, its fall into sin, and how God works throughout history to redeem the world through Jesus Christ, by grace alone. By receiving God's mercy through Christ, we enter into an everlasting covenant with God, who promises to love us forever, even as we covenant to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

The word Presbyterian comes from the Greek word presbyteros which translates as elder. Presbyterian is a description of our church governance.  Presbyterian churches are governed by a body called the Session which is composed of elders and pastors of the church.  Regionally, we are connected to fellow Presbyterian churches within a body called presbyteries.  Nationally, we are a part of the Presbyterian Church (USA).  Presbyterianism has its roots in the Scottish Reformed tradition of the 16th century.  Although today, Presbyterians come from many different nationalities and backgrounds.