First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke Rapids, NC
16 East Fifth Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC   27870
252-537-4018,  252-537-9041(Fax),  office@fpcrr.com

Church Information Booklet
WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY OF FAITH

The session and members of the congregation of First Presbyterian church welcome you to our church family which has an active membership of 228 as of December 31, 2004.

REUNION
            At the time of the Civil War, the major American Presbyterian Church divided into two churches, The UPUSA, (northern church) and the PCUS, (southern church) In June 1983, after years of attempts to reconcile, the two churches voted to reunite and form The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

GOVERNMENT
            The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is governed by representative bodies composed of ruling elders and ministers of the word. In ascending order, as related to our church, these governing bodies are:

a. local Session
b. Presbytery
c. Synod
d. General Assembly

(Book of Order, G-9.0100)

The documents of our constitution guide us in our church life and we believe them to be reliable expositions of the Bible which is our final authority for faith and practice.

The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) consists of The Book of Confessions and the Book of Order.

The Book of Confessions includes:
1. The Nicene Creed
2. The Apostles’ Creed
3. The Scots Confession
4. The Heidelberg Catechism
5. The Second Helvetic Confession
6. The Westminster Confession of Faith
7. The Shorter Catechism
8. The Larger Catechism
9. The Theological Declaration of Barmen
10. The Confession of 1967
11. A Brief Statement of Faith—
      Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The Book of Order includes:
1. Form of Government
2. Directory for Worship
3. Rules of Discipline

(Book of Order, G-1.0500—G-1.0502)

SESSION
            The session of a particular church consists of the pastor or pastors and the elders in active service. Among other responsibilities and powers, the session receives members, provides for worship, establishes the budget, determines the distribution of benevolences, and oversees the programs of Christian Education, Witness and Mission.

(Book of Order, G-10.0100 and G-10.0102)