Welcome to McGregor Presbyterian Church!

If you’re new to Presbyterianism, you may be wondering what makes Presbyterians distinctive. At its heart, Presbyterianism is about following Jesus Christ, trusting God’s grace, growing together in faith, and serving our neighbors and our world.  McGregor Presbyterian Church is part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a Protestant Christian denomination with roots in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century and the Church of Scotland.

Here are some of the things that are important to us.

We Worship a Triune God

Presbyterians believe in one God who is known to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe God creates and sustains all that is, loves us deeply, and works to bring healing and reconciliation to the world. We believe God’s love is made known to us in a special way through Jesus Christ, who lived among us, died, and was raised to new life.

Jesus proclaimed good news to people who were hurting, overlooked, or oppressed. As followers of Jesus, we seek to carry that same good news, hope, and love into the world.

We Value the Bible

The Bible is central to our life together. We read Scripture, listen for God's voice, and seek to understand how its message speaks to us today.

Presbyterians also recognize that the Bible was written by people living in particular cultures and historical circumstances. Because of that, we believe careful attention to history, language, literature, and context can help us understand Scripture more faithfully.

We trust that God continues to speak through Scripture as we encounter it in new times and places.

We Worship Together

When we gather for worship, we come together to hear God's Word, celebrate God's grace, and give thanks for God's presence in our lives.  We believe Jesus Christ is truly present and active among us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our worship includes Scripture, preaching, prayer, music, and the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

You don't need to know all the words, understand every tradition, or have everything figured out before you come. You are welcome to worship with us just as you are.

We Celebrate Two Sacraments

Presbyterians celebrate two sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ:

Baptism uses ordinary water as a sign of God's extraordinary grace. It welcomes us into the community of Christ and reminds us that God's love comes to us as a gift.

The Lord’s Supper, also called Holy Communion or Eucharist, uses ordinary bread and juice to proclaim God's love and remind us of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

Through these simple, tangible gifts, we encounter God's grace together.

We Believe Faith Is Meant to Be Lived Together

Presbyterians believe the church is a community—not simply a building or a Sunday gathering.  We come from different backgrounds, experiences, ages, perspectives, and walks of life. Yet in Christ, we are brought together as one community.

We believe everyone should have a place at the table. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) affirms full participation and representation in the life of the church regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, geography, or theological conviction.  There is therefore no place in the life of the Church for discrimination against any person.

At McGregor, we believe that our differences can enrich our life together as we learn from one another and grow in faith.

We Are Led by Elders

You may have noticed the word “Presbyterian” sounds a little unusual. It comes from the Greek word presbyteros, meaning elder.

Rather than being led by bishops, Presbyterian churches are governed by councils made up of elected members. At the local church, our session is made up of elders from the congregation who help provide leadership in worship, education, mission, and the life of the church.

Our denomination also has regional and national councils—the presbytery, synod, and General Assembly—through which Presbyterian congregations work together.

We believe that listening to one another, praying together, and sharing responsibility are important parts of discerning God's direction for the church.

We Are Always Growing

One phrase you may hear in Presbyterian circles is:

“The Church Reformed, Always Reforming.”

It reminds us that the church is not finished. We are always learning, listening, asking questions, and seeking to follow God more faithfully.  You don't have to have all the answers to be part of this community. Questions are welcome here. Doubts are welcome. Curiosity is welcome. Faith is a journey, and we believe we are meant to make that journey together.

We Are Called to Serve

Following Jesus isn't only about what happens inside the church.  We believe God calls us to participate in God's work of loving our neighbors, caring for creation, seeking justice, offering compassion, and sharing the good news of God's love.

Our faith leads us outward—to our neighborhoods, our communities, and the wider world.  At McGregor, we hope our worship sends us back into the world with open hearts, willing hands, and a renewed sense of God's presence.

Come and See

You don't need to be Presbyterian to visit McGregor.  You don't need to know the Bible by heart. You don't need to know when to stand or sit. You don't need to have your faith all figured out.

Come as you are. Ask your questions. Worship with us. Get to know us.

We would be glad to welcome you into our community as we seek to follow Jesus, love our neighbors, and participate in God's work in the world.