2006Aboutthepresbyterianchurch

HISTORY AND THEOLOGY
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has its roots in the teachings of Protestant
Reformers John Calvin and John Knox. Some of the Reformed Principles upon
which the PCUSA was founded include the emphasis on the Sovereignty of
God, the authority of Scripture, the priesthood of all believers, and election
(God's choosing) of people for salvation and service. Grace alone, faith alone,
and Scripture alone are phrases used to define the Reformation period, and
have highly influenced our faith as Presbyterians.

The grace of God figures prominently in the PCUSA. We emphasize Scripture's
promise that we are "saved by grace through faith." This means that there is
nothing we can do save ourselves. God has done it for us through his
Son, Jesus Christ. We respond to God's action on our behalf with trust and
faith in our Lord and Savior, as we seek to be obedient to God's will
as revealed through Scripture. "God acts and we respond" orders all
that we do as Presbyterian Christians.

          THE SACRAMENTS
These are "signs and seals of the covenant" that God has
made with us.   We have two Sacraments: Baptism and
the Lord's Supper (communion.)

Baptism: both infant and
adult baptism is recognized.
This action is our symbolic response
of faith to God's grace and action on our behalf. When an
infant is baptized, the entire congregation promises to help
nurture the child in the faith as he or she matures in
spiritual growth and faith. Confirmation takes place when
the child is ready to take on the responsibilities of church
membership after proper instruction and examination.

                     Communion is celebrated at
                     Weedsport FPC on the first
                     Sunday of the month. month.

Through this Sacrament we remember Christ's death, we
recognize his presence with us at the table, and we look
forward to his return to earth. In partaking of the bread
and juice we also anticipate the heavenly banquet with all
the saints, even as we are strengthened for our Christian
witness and service on earth.

OUR CONSTITUTION: THE BOOK OF ORDER and THE BOOK OF CONFESSIONS

The PCUSA Constitution has two parts. The Book of Order and the Book of Confessions. The first outlines our
governing structures. One of the hallmarks of being Presbyterian is that we do everything "decently and in order."
The Book of Order explains how we do just that. It includes The Form of Government, The Directory for Worship, and
The Rules of Discipline. The Book of Order is updated each year according to the direction of the General Assembly.

The Book of Confessions witnesses to the historic creeds and confessions of the Church. These writings are historic
in that faithful people of all times and ages have "confessed" their understanding of the faith in response to the
theological, social and political climate as it has occurred in history. The book begins with the Nicene Creed (common
to many denominations) which was written in the 4th century. At this time, the Church was seeking unity in
understanding the question "Who IS Jesus Christ?" Their answer defined Jesus as both fully God and fully human.
Other Creeds and Confessions are The Apostles' Creed (defining Trinity), the Scots Confession, 2nd Helvetic
Confession, Westminster and Heidelberg Catechisms, (all from the Reformation period), the Barmen Declaration
(WWII), and The Confession of 1967 (response to civic unrest and changing social climate in the USA.) The most
recent and final confession is the Brief Statement of Faith (1991)--commissioned following the 1983 reunification of the
Northern and Southern churches.