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Membership

How do I Become a Member?   To Inform the church of your desire to join, you may: 

Speak with the Pastor or the Pastoral Assistant.

Indicate your interest on the ministry of friendship folder during the church service,

Call the church office at 217-245-4189,

Inquire about Membership Classes which are held periodically when desired.

Those who are ready to become members meet with Session before worship on the Sunday in which they are scheduled to join. At this meeting, they will be welcomed by the members of session, and will be given instructions on their introduction to the congregation during the morning worship service.

Members are received in one of three ways:
Transfer of Letter - Persons with current memberships in churches which send letters of transfer.. 
Reaffirmation of Faith - Persons who are members of churches which do not send letters of transfer, or those whose memberships have lapsed. 
Profession of Faith - Persons who have never been members of a church will be received into membership by profession of faith (with baptism for those who have never been baptized). This is the customary category for Confirmands. 

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Beliefs

What do Presbyterians believe ...?  Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with the French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him. Considered “A Reformed Church, Always Being Reformed” we are rooted in Scripture and deeply concerned about the world in which we live. The following links provide further information from our Denomination’s Web Site, or one of the following:

Presbyterian 101

Presbyterian Theology 

Presbyterian Social Issues

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Weddings

How do I plan a Wedding? Guidelines have been established by the Session to assist each bride and groom to create a service that will express the couple's personal needs and will also reflect the dignity of a service of worship in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Members as well as non-members who wish to plan a wedding at First Church should contact the church office at 217-245-4189 to check date availability, to receive the guide, Your Wedding at First Presbyterian Church, and arrange a consultation with the Pastor. 

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Funerals

Do you offer guidelines for those planning a Funeral?  The Session has approved A Guide for Funeral Planning which is available in the Church Office. This brief guide provides some reflections on a variety of approaches to funeral planning, offers suggested Scripture Readings and Hymns, and includes a form in which to make one’s wishes known. 

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