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)
For more information about our special Advent services:
The Rev. Dr. Bob Shettler preaching:
Sunday, Dec. 7 "The Journeys of Jesus: He Came From Nazareth" Luke 1:26-33
Sunday, Dec. 14 "The Journeys of Jesus: Mary Goes to Judah" Luke 1:39-45
Sunday, Dec. 21 "The Journeys of Jesus: From Nazareth to Bethlehem" Luke 2;1-5
Christmas Eve: Wed., Dec. 24 "The Journeys of Jesus: From Heaven to Bethlehem "Luke 2:1-20
Sunday, Dec. 28 "The Savior has Come" Luke 2:22-40
Sunday, Jan. 4 "The Journeys of Jesus: To Egypt and Back" Matthew 2:13-23
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.
First PC has a new Associate Pastor, The Rev. Larry Hendon and his wife, Ann! They came to us from Tallahassee, where Larry served as Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church. We are so happy to have them in our church family! Rev. Hendon was Installed on Sunday, Feb. 17th. at the 10:55 a.m . Worship Service.
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.
Advent Workshop
Sunday, November 23rd there will be an ADVENT WORKSHOP at 9-10:30 a.m. in Gordon Hall. This annual event is to make Advent wreaths, gingerbread houses and Christmas decorations. Donation, $5 per person (maximum $15 per family) to cover materials. A continental breakfast begins at 9:30 a.m. RSVP: assistant@1stpc.org or call 378-1527.
KIDS-4-GOD
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 2008 recipients of the FPC College Scholarships: Madeleine Coffey and Ashley Young - John R. Greenman Scholarship, Rachel Coffey - William K. Robertson Scholarship, Kat Israel, Kim Ives and Xochil Wilson - Kirkpatrick Scholarship, Larissa Israel and Patrick Mosely - J. Wayne 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.
Montreat Scholarships
Congratulations to our 2008 Scholarship Recipients: Derek Ward - Marshall M. & Paula P. Criser Montreat Scholarship, Andrew Netardus - Arnold Penland Montreat Scholarship. Lexi Ives - Ted Fearney Montreat Scholarship, Ashley Young - Barbara Fearney Montreat Scholarship, Ben Williams - David & Phyllis Little Montreat Scholarship. These five merit scholarships covered the cost of tuition for the 2008 Montreat Worship and Music Conference in Montreat, North Carolina. These five students have demonstrated outstanding leadership at First Presbyterian Church!
Music Camp!
Music Camp was July 7 - 11, 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. (The cost this year was $50. Extended camp was available.) Attendance was great and the "campers" presented some of their music and participated in worship Sunday, July 13. Thanks to Mark Coffey, Carol McCoy and the many others who worked hard to make this a memorable experience for our young people!
Mission Trip to Nacaragua
Our 2008 mission trip to Esteli, Nicaragua was June 27 through July 6. A total of 23 youth, college students and older adults traveled to Nicaragua to help build a physical and spiri-tual community of Christ.
First Presbyterian Preschool
Our Preschool now has expanded times. For more information, go to Preschool. Our Preschool Director is Patti Dubose. (e-mail: preschool@1stpc.org) Call 376-1818 for more information. News! Our 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
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.). The first rehersal for the fall is Thursday, August 21st. 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 Fellowshiphad a great year. Come join us this fall! For schedule and information: (College Fellowship) 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 2008-9!
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
Our midweek LOGOS ministry meets on Wednesdays. It will begin again Septemaber 3 (2008). 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 2008 - 2009 Concert Series is available online! Our first concert of this year was "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. Our last concert was Nov. 23rd: Organ Duets: Janette Fishell and Colin Andrews. Our next concert is Dec. 14th and 21st: The Festivl of Nine Lessons and Carols. Plan to come!
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.
