Getting to Know Us
Our Denomination
Presbyterians affirm that God comes to us with grace and love in the person of Jesus Christ, who lived, died, and rose for us so that we might have eternal and abundant life in him. As Christ’s disciples, called to ministry in his name, we seek to continue his mission of teaching the truth, feeding the hungry, healing the broken, and welcoming strangers. God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, giving us the energy, intelligence, imagination, and love to be Christ’s faithful disciples in the world.
Read more about our denomination on the PCUSA website: www.pcusa.org
We Are A Matthew 25 Church!
Our congregation has accepted the PCUSA’s invitation to follow Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 25:31-46 by becoming active disciples and making a difference in our community and the world. As part of our Matthew 25 commitment, we pledge to embrace one or more of these three areas of focus:
- Building congregational vitality by deepening and energizing our faith and growing as joyful leaders and disciples actively engaged with our community as we share the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.
- Dismantling structural racism by fearlessly applying our faith to advocate and break down the systems, practices and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice and oppression of people of color.
- Eradicating systemic poverty by acting on our beliefs and working to change laws, policies, plans and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor.
Our Missions
First Presbyterian Church of Baraboo takes seriously our calling to be a light in our community and our world. Over the years we have supported many local missions in the Baraboo and Sauk County area. We have also supported missions of the PCUSA denomination which cover the world. A list of the current missions we are focusing on appears on this website under Community and Mission.
Statement of inclusivity
We believe that all people are created in the image of God; that all people of color, ethnicity, country of origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identities are valued and called to participate in God's mission to the world. Therefore, with God's help and grace we embrace people with a Christ-like love free from prejudice, shame, ignorance, and fear, and we commit to learn, educate and advocate until all people experience the justice of God, the peace of Christ, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Membership
We welcome new church family members at any time they feel ready to join us! Our pastor is happy to answer any questions you may have about membership. When you are ready, please email us or call us at 608-356-5495 stating your interest and give your name and phone number (and email address if available). Membership classes consist of two meetings led by our pastor. You may join either with a letter of transfer from a previous congregation, or by answering a few questions that confirm your wishes to join our church family.
Music
Inspiring and beautiful music is a very important part of our worship services. We have an excellent choir and organist, two pianists and several other musicians and vocalists among our church family who provide music. A few times each year we have guest musicians and vocalists during our services as well as recitals by outside musicians. Most importantly, we are a congregation that loves to sing during worship!
Our Vision Statement
responding in gratitude,
guided by the Holy Spirit,
demonstrating and reflecting Christ’s love and light