First Presbyterian Church of Farmington
Saturday, September 04, 2010
   Worship with us
Sundays at 10 am
26165 Farmington Road
Farmington Hills MI 48334
phone: (248) 474 -6170
corner of 11 Mile and Farmington Roads
Barrier Free
Child Care Available
Ample Parking
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FAQsWe don't want to leave you wondering. If you can't find the information you're looking for on our site, using the search
 function or the site map  , we hope you'll find the answer here. If not, contact us. You can peruse the FAQ's or skip ahead to the category that interests you: General, Worship, Music, Getting Involved, Membership, or Presbyterianisms.
GeneralWhat is your mailing address and phone number?
Our mailing address is 26165 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills MI 48334. Our phone number is (248) 474 -6170.
Where are you located?
We're located at the corner of Farmington and 11 Mile Road in Farmington Hills. View Directions. View Map.
What times are your worship services?
Our Sunday mornings begin at 9:00 a.m. with Adult Education. Gathering music begins in the sanctuary at 9:45 to joyfully prepare our hearts and minds for worship at 10:00 am.
Where is the best place to park?
We have ample parking on the west side of our church building. Our main entrance has a covered portico for easy passenger drop-offs. [Map]
How do people dress on Sunday morning?
There's not a specific dress code, so we recommend you dress however you are most comfortable. You'll see anything from Sunday best to business casual among the adults. Children and youth usually wear whatever they would wear to school.
Is there someone who would pray with me?
Of course. You can make contact with our pastor, speak to any of us, speak to a deacon, or arrange to have one-on-one care with a Stephen Minister.
How big is First Presbyterian?
We're medium-sized. We have about 435 members and about 200 people attend our worship services each Sunday.
How do I make a prayer request?
You can use our online form, call the church office at 248-474-6170 or contact a deacon. If you have a prayer request that you would like shared with the congregation, contact our pastor. (You can use the same phone number.)
How do I schedule a funeral or memorial?
When death has occurred or is imminent, the pastor or church office should be notified promptly so that pastoral care can be provided to the family. Our pastor and staff will assist you with the planning of ther service. Read more on our Funerals and Memorials page.
How do I have my child baptized?
Baptisms are scheduled with the pastor. Read more on our Baptism page.
What accommodations are made for physical disabilities?
We are a barrier free facility. There is an elevator in our coffee area if you need to reach the second floor. In our sanctuary, we have space set aside for wheelchairs down the center aisle toward the front of the sanctuary as well as in the rear of the sanctuary. Please ask an usher if you need to borrow one of our wheelchairs. Our ushers are also happy to provide you with a large print bulletin or a hearing assistance device to allow you to control the volume of the spoken words in the service. All of the words in our service are projected onto a screen in the upper left corner of the chancel (the choir area). If you need an accommodation that we currently don't offer, please make your needs known to an usher, deacon or our pastor.
Is First Presbyterian Church a mission-minded Church?
Yes, definitely. We are active in the Farmington Hills community, the Detroit metro area and participate in missions on a national and international level. Please see our In our community and In our country and world webpages. WorshipWhat if I'm not used to church. Will I have to "do" anything?
No. You're welcome to just sit and observe and you won't feel uncomfortable. Participate as much or as little as you like.
Do you provide nursery or children's classes on Sunday morning?
Yes. Babies and Toddlers are lovingly cared for by our professional childcare staff beginning at 9:00 each Sunday and continuing through the worship service. Read about our Sunday School.
What are your worship services like?
How long are your church services?
Our worship services last roughly one hour.
Who can take part in communion?
All baptized Christians, regardless of denomination, are welcomed and encouraged to take communion with us. We celebrate communion on the first Sunday on each month and elements (bread and juice) are normally distributed in the pews. We believe that the "... invitation to the Lord's Supper is extended to all who have been baptized, remembering that access to the Table is not a right conferred upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love. In preparing to receive Christ in this Sacrament, the believer is to confess sin and brokenness, to seek reconciliation with God and neighbor, and to trust in Jesus Christ for cleansing and renewal. Even one who doubts or whose trust is wavering may come to the Table in order to be assured of God's love and grace in Christ Jesus."(Book of Order W-2.4011a)
Is communion here any different than at other churches?
There could be small differences. If you're used to receiving communion in the pew, it will be very similar. We practice "unison" partaking of the bread, meaning that we wait until everyone has received their bread before we consume it. We practice an "individual" partaking of the juice. Some churches celebrate communion every Sunday. We celebrate communion on the first Sunday of each month.
Do you identify visitors during your worship service?
No. We do not ask visitors to stand up or wear a badge during our worship service. We are happy if you write your name and any contact information you would like us to have in our "friendship register" which is found on the inside end of each pew.
What is the passing of the peace?
This tradition goes back to the early days of the Christian church. In Romans, Paul instructed his churches to "greet one another with a holy kiss." This was a holy greeting -- a blessing, and we emulate that just before we take communion. When we say "the Peace of Christ be with you," we are not only greeting one another, we are offering a prayer on each other's behalves. Our prayer for each person we greet is that God's peace will be granted to them.
What if I'm worried about germs during church?
We want people to concentrate on God during worship, so we try to eliminate germ worries as much as possible. We don't use a common plate or cup during communion, and the elements (bread and juice) are covered until time for their use. The bread is already divided into bite size pieces, so congregation members only need to touch the piece that they are taking. We have individual packets of hand sanitizers in our pews. When passing the peace, it is acceptable to simply smile and say the words, without hugs or hand-shakes. Since our pastor's recent sabbatical in India, many in our congregation have adopted the Indian style of passing the peace: Hands are placed together (as in prayer) just below the chin and the words "The peace of Christ be with you" are said with a nod towards the person being greeted..
MusicWho picks the hymns for worship services?
Hymns are selected by the pastor, who takes the day's message, Scripture, and events into consideration. The anthems are selected by our Director of Music.
How do I join the choir?
You can speak to Jerry Custer, our Director of Music, or simply show up. Check out our Music page for schedules.
Getting InvolvedI want to get more involved. How do I volunteer or get on a committee?
Great! There are several easy ways.
One of the most accessible resources we have is Sue Melrose, our pastor. She stands by the doors every Sunday, hoping to to greet each person as they make their way to the parking lot. Just ask her and she'll quickly hook you up with the right person.
You can also use the contact us page of this website. Our administrative assistant will forward your comments to whatever committee or group is involved in your area of interest. We also have a "Welcome booth" in our lobby. Ask anyone there and they'll also quickly get you situated.
What programs do you have for my children?
Visit our Children and/or Youth pages to get an overview of the programs and ministries we have for the youngest among us.
Who do I call if I want to go on a mission trip?
Call Tom Neal or the church office at 248-474-6170. You can also use our "Contact us" form and the message will be forwarded to the adult mission team. If we don't have one when you are available, local and national opportunities are also available through the Hands-On-Mission work group of Detroit Presbytery
Who do I contact about stewardship or tithing?
Call the church office at 248-474-6170. You can also use our "Contact us" form and the message will be forwarded to the someone on our stewardship team.
How long do I have to attend before I can become a member?
There is no minimum requirement. When you feel you're ready, contact our pastor or attend a membership class.
How do I become a member?
We periodically hold membership classes and orientation sessions for those interested in joining with us. See our Join our Church page.
PresbyterianismsWhat's unique about Presbyterians and what do Presbyterians believe?
Talk about your 'loaded' questions! The best overview of that is on the PC(USA) website and is called Presbyterian 101: A General Guide to the PC USA. We also have booklets about what Presbyterians believe in the church office. You can call 248-474-6170 to request a booklet.
Why do Presbyterians have so many acronyms? What do they all mean?
Part of the reason lies in our form of government. We enjoy a representative form of congregational (and local, regional and national church) government, which means we have a lot of committees. The acronyms are usually short for committee or group names. Here are a few:
PC(USA) - Presbyterian Church (USA) our national church
PCPD - Presbyterian Church of the Presbytery of Detroit, the local region to which we belong.
PW - Presbyterian Women
PWPD - Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Detroit.
LOGOS - Isn't actually an acronym. It comes from the Greek for "the Word"
CWO - Community World Outreach
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