MISSION OF THE CHURCH

OUR VISION
FIRST CHURCH, WITH GOD'S HELP, STRIVES TO MINISTER TO ALL GENERATIONS, TO ADVANCE DISCIPLESHIP, AND TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

The mission and purpose of our Church is to worship God, individually and collectively; to minister to the spiritual, emotional and social needs of our members, non-members and the greater community at large. The basis for our mission is rooted in the life, ministry and teaching of Jesus Christ and by the long history of service of our Church to the community.

Under the leadership of a strong ministry, both professional and lay, our Church membership carries on a wide variety of religious and lay activities, has shown an acceptance of differences of opinion, the ability to resolve differences, and to foster the development of a strong fellowship among Church members, all in an effort to make the most out of our Church experience. Our committee structure is healthy and vibrant.

Harwich is a community which has experienced rapid growth over the past 20 years (the population having more than doubled since 1960), yet the vast majority of these new residents has been 60 years of age or older, a statistic similarly evident in our Church population.

We have provided our membership with a variety of worship services ranging from innovative to traditional, attempting to provide meaning to all who attend.

Our Church has been active in the needs of the community, acting as a forum for debates and discussions of the local issues which are of most importance to Church and community alike. Our Church's efforts in outreach to the community can best be exemplified by our Church's sponsorship of an Elderly Housing Project in Harwich which after much work and sacrifice on the part of many Church members has become a reality. A Homeless Ministry, a day Care Ministry, and a Town Chaplain for Youth are all sponsored by the Harwich Clergy Association.

The continuation and further refinement of our Church mission is most important and offers a challenge to all who will help us strive for adherence to our Church ideal:

"A sanctuary of the spirit, a friendly fellowship,
a training school for Christian character,
a center of helpful service,
a force of civil righteousness,
a power for God throughout the world,
an unfailing spring of inner refreshment and strength,
free to all who come."