Heritage Presbyterian Church

Is Heritage for you?

I suspect you remember a time when your questions were ones like “Should I change jobs?” or “Do I need a larger home?” or “Is it time to purchase a new car?” Now, however, your questions are likely about much deeper things… things like:

• Who am I?
• Where did I come from?
• What am I doing here?
• Where am I headed?

You’re not alone if you’re now asking yourself questions like these.  In fact, the people at Heritage Presbyterian Church are helping each other discover the answers to these and other questions about life’s spiritual side.  It’s being done in a friendly, fun-filled, non-judgmental, and non-dogmatic atmosphere.  And we don’t preach down to people while they wrestle with their fears, doubts and today’s “hot-button” issues.

Our members span the gamut from young families to empty-nesters.  Our church motto says it all:  The Place Where Families and Friends Gather to Worship.

If you don’t already have a church home, we cordially invite you to check us out.  Heritage is a comfortable place where you can join with others who are discovering more about their spiritual side.

How to Join

QUESTION: Do I really need to actually join?  Can’t I just attend and leave it at that?

Sure, you’re welcome to attend Heritage without actually joining the church.  After all, membership offers no special “privileges” except being able to vote in periodic congregational meetings.  However, most people find it more fulfilling to make a “commitment” to God through the Heritage family.  It also helps confirm your belief that God calls us to be a “family” rather than just an informal group of disconnected believers.

QUESTION: OK, so what would I have to do or say to join the church?

First Step: Actually, joining the church is a simple yet profoundly personal process.  It begins when you talk informally with a couple of the church leaders and the pastor about membership.

Second Step: If you’ve not yet been baptized, arrangements will be made to baptize you at the same time as you join the church (at Heritage, we do “sprinkling” with water rather than full-immersion baptism).

Third Step: If you’ll be joining the church for the first time, or transferring your membership from another Presbyterian Church or another Christian denomination, or reaffirming your faith, you will be invited to meet with the elected elders of Heritage.  That meeting with the church leaders (the  Session) will provide an opportunity for them to share Heritage’s history, what it means to be a Presbyterian, how the church is structured and governed, etc.  That will also be a great opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the life and work of Heritage.  This usually only takes 10-15 minutes and it’s just an opportunity for you to tell the Session a bit about yourself and where you are at right now in your faith journey.  But, it’s an important meeting, as you are actually received into membership by the Session.

Fourth Step: The pastor will schedule a convenient time to introduce you to the congregation (and baptize you if that is to be done at the same time).  During the congregational introduction, you’ll only be asked:  “Who is your Lord and Savior?”  “Do you trust in Him?”  “Do you promise to give of yourself in every way to fulfill your own ministry for Jesus Christ?”

Fifth Step: If you haven’t done so before joining, you’ll be invited to attend one of the “New Member” classes offered every few weeks, so you can learn even more about your new Heritage “family” and how you can become involved in the life and work of the church

QUESTION: That’s a pretty simple process.  Is that all there is to it?

Yes, and no.  Yes, that’s all there is to it.  But the implications are pretty profound, because joining the church is not the end but, rather, the beginning or continuation of your faith journey.  However, as a member, you’ll be in good company on your journey, because all the other members of Heritage will be walking alongside you.  Comforting thought, huh?