Presbyterian

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Communion is one of the two sacraments in the Presbyterian Church. Click the picture of the cup and bread to learn more about communion at Northminster Presbyterian Church.

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BAPTISM

Baptism is one of the two sacraments in the Presbyterian Church. For more information about baptism, click here.

Presbyterianism 101

Northminster Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Church, part of the largest Presbyterian denomination, the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, or PC (USA).

Presbyterians are a group of Protestant Christians, whose church is founded on the concept of democratic rule under the Word of God.

The basic beliefs of Presbyterians are the same as other Christians:

God-- the Creator of the universe
Christ-- the incarnation of God on earth.
Holy Spirit-- the presence of God in the world and in the believer
The church-- a universal company of all Christ's followers
Forgiveness of sin-- made possible by the crucifixion of Jesus
Life everlasting-- shown by the resurrection of Jesus
Bible-- the inspired Word of God.

Presbyterians have two main sources for inspiration and guidance:

The Bible-- the inspired Word of God, written by men at a specific place and time in history; and
Creeds and Confessions of the church. These include the Apostle's Creed, the Scots Confession, the Heidelberg Confession, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, the Confession of 1967 and more.

What makes Presbyterians unique?

The Presbyterian Church is a Representative Democracy governed by elders elected from and by the congregation. The elders serving in office John Calvin and Hobbes

form the governing board of the church, the SESSION. The Pastor of the church moderates the Session, but is not the primary descision maker of the church. That responsibility resides with the session.

Presbyterians are THINKERS as well. Many of the institutes of higher education in the United States and the world were formed by the Presbyterian church. Presbyterian Ministers of Word and Sacrament (the pastors) are required to have a bachelor's degree and a Master of Divinity degree from a seminary. Sermons in a Presbyterian church encourage the congretation to think for themselves and make their own decisions about their faith and beliefs.

At Northminster, Pastor Andy Rausch generally preaches from the Revised Common Lectionary, a series of readings that was first developed in the 4th century, and then has been reviewed and refined throughout the years until the present. Each week, there is usually an Old Testament reading, a Psalm reading, and epistle reading, and a gospel reading. Being guided by the Lectionary keeps Andy focussed on what God is saying to the congregation. In three years, most of the books of the Bible will be covered.

So if you want to be a part of a church where your voice counts, and where you can think for yourself and want to be challenged, come join us at

Northminster Presbyterian Church!