First Presbyterian Church is a member-led church, meaning the governance and ministry of the church is in the hands of lay people. Church officers are on two boards, the Session which is comprised of 18 lay elders, men and women, and our two pastors; and the Board of Deacons comprised of 24 deacons, men and women, with a pastor advisor.

As Presbyterians, we are guided in our faith journey by the Holy Scriptures, the Book of Confessions, and the Book of Order. The Book of Confessions contains historical statements of what we as a church believe. The Book of Order contains the Form of Government, Directory for Worship, Rules of Discipline, and the Formula of Agreement to help us.

Trustees

The Trustees serve as the legal entity of the chruch. They have the responsibility of carrying out the financial and business activities of the church.

Session

The Session is the governing body of the church.

The Board of Deacons

The Board of Deacons is the service arm of the church just as it was in the Book of Acts in the Early Church. The President of the Board of Deacons is Charlene Finley. Together with the other 23 deacons, they provide a system of communication and service to reach every member of the church. They make calls and visits and keep in touch with people with special needs to assist them whenever possible.

Moreover, the Board of Deacons prepare Brown Bag Lunches to needy travelers, collect toys for Santa Clause, Inc., coordinate efforts for funeral receptions, send greeting cards to church members, provide transportation to some members, visit the sick and house-bound, and lead the inspirational church-wide ministry through prayer chains. Additionally, deacons prepare the elements for communion and support a ministry of fresh flowers placed weekly in the church services and then delivered to particular members of the congregation.

Each year the Deacons host a tea for senior members of the church and host a "Parish Sunday" to assist church members in becoming better acquainted.

The Board of Deacons is full of warm, caring, loving people and are a great blessing to the ministry of First Presbyterian Church.

The Endowment Program

George Griffin Chairs the Endowment Program which was established by the Session in 1992 to provide a means for members to express their committment to God's call for stewardship. Endowment gifts provide funds for specific programs such as Christian education, mission programs, facility improvements, worship experience or scholarships.

Commission and Committee Chairs

Commissions and Committees

Adult Education Commission

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Youth Nurture Commission

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Worship Commission
Commission Chair Linda Hamilton (981-8429)

PURPOSE: To assist the Session in providing for worship by the congregation in accordance with "The Form of Government" and "The Directory for Worship," including the ministry of music.

COMPOSITION: The Commission shall be composed of 6 to 9 members. In addition, the Senior and Minister of Music shall share staff support responsibility, ex-officio.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Report and recommend to Session as appropriate.
2. Recruit Sunday morning greeters.
3. Recruits liturgists for each Sunday except the 1st Sunday of the month.
4. Recruit and guide and support ushering program.
5. Provide guidance and support to Wedding Hostess.
6. Responsible for scheduling of Holy Communion.
   1. Recruit servers from among ordained laity, i.e. elders and deacons. Any person who has been ordained as an elder or deacon in the past is eligible to serve Communion.
   2. Recommend dates for Communion for Session approval.
   3. Preparation and placing of elements delegates to Board of Deacons. Communication with Deacons re: dates and anticipated attendance is essential, with the Worship Commission taking the initiative.
7. Serve as support commission for the Music program and personnel guidance and assistance as needed,
8. Oversee taping of services, distribution of tapes as needed. (The Library keeps a weekly tape of the services.
9. Provide for training and operation and of sanctuary audio, lighting equipment, the computer and the LCD projector.
10. Recommend and help implement improvements in worship services.
11. Provide program for introducing new hymns.
12. Provide for education with regard to the worship service and encourage and resource family worship, especially during Advent and Lent.
13. Supervise the acolyte program during the traditional worship service.
14. Serve as parent commission for the Chancel Committee as needed. This includes obtaining necessary candles and supplies and making sure there are two chairs behind the communion table when Communion is served in the pews.

Congregational Life/Membership Commission

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Buildings and Grounds Commission

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Shelter Care

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Mission /Stewardship
Commission Chair Susan Anguka (985-4087)
The Mission / Stewardship Commission has two major thrusts:

1. Planning and implementation of the Church's mission outreach program, through the following:
   • Evaluating and selecting worthy mission projects, including international, national and regional Presbyterian mission programs as well as local projects.
   • Explaining and promoting those programs to the Session.
   • Building understanding and enthusiasm for the programs within the congregation.
   • Disbursement of funds to support the mission programs.
   • Preparation of annual budgets for presentation to Session and Trustees.
2. Planning and guiding stewardship appeals for Christian giving of time, talent, and treasure by the congregation, to further the work of the Church. These include special appeals and offerings, and the annual Fall Stewardship Campaign. Some of the mission projects currently supported by First Presbyterian Church are:
   • Shelter Care (Two shelter care homes for children.)
   • Pomona Inland Valley Council of Churches.
   • SOVA "Walk for the Hungry"
   • Hispanic Ministries program at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
   • Amen Ministries (support for Presbyterian missionary program in Peru).
   • Rural India Ministries (Presbyterian outreach ministry to "untouchables").
   • Alliance for Children Everywhere (Zambian ministry for children of Aids victims.)
   • Near East School of Theology (Christian seminary in Beirut, Lebanon)
   • Ability First. (Support for autistic children and their parents.)
   • San Francisco Theological Seminary. (Claremont Campus scholarship program.)
   • Wiley Woods Campground.
   • Presbyterian national and regional mission programs.