New to FPC?
About Us
Pull up a chair, and let us tell you a little about who we are!
First Presbyterian Church strives to offer something for everyone who desires to know and follow Jesus Christ. We invite you to join us today and allow God to lead you on your own personal path of spiritual growth.
When you visit First Presbyterian Church, you will find a warm and caring group of Christ-followers who are eager to welcome you. Yes, our name is traditional, and our beliefs are firmly rooted in the reformed understanding that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, but we strive to live out that faith with vibrant worship, relevant study, and life-changing mission.
Come, join us!
405 N. M-37 Highway · Hastings, MI 49058
269.945.5463
A CHURCH FOR ALL AGES
We offer worship on Sunday at10:00 AM. Our service features uplifting music and personal, life-changing messages based on the truths of God's Word. Our goal in worship is to include something for all ages.
JOINING US AS A FAMILY?
We are blessed to have families and children as a part of our congregation! We encourage children to learn about God and scripture through children's sermons, during Children's Worship, and through Noah's Ark Preschool.
For those times when your child is unhappy in worship, we encourage you to take advantage of our nursery, or to make use of the Quiet Room. Our Quiet Room (entrance to the right of the Sanctuary doors) is intended to serve as a place of refuge for parents whose children are, shall we say, "uninterested" in the sermon, while allowing you to continue to be part of the worship service. We are working hard to be a Church for all Ages, and we hope these accommodations help you!
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE CHRIST
We offer many ways to serve Christ, and we encourage you to follow your own interests and skills as they will lead you to the best ways you can serve. Within our congregation, service opportunities include music and worship, participation or leadership in Bible Studies, numerous volunteer roles with our children and youth programs, administrative support, creative opportunities in our just-for-fun fellowship events, or becoming involved with our Noah's Ark Preschool. We invite you to become part of our church family, focused on growing OUR VISION.
Our local, national, and worldwide involvement includes many opportunities for youth and adults, including support of our local food bank, Barry County Cares, offerings to support programs through the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., such as One Great Hour of Sharing, and the Disaster Assistance program. We serve on annual mission trips which are open to both adults and youth! Please see the Mission ministry page for further details!
Membership Information
JOIN US IN WORSHIP
At First Presbyterian Church, you will find friendly faces and voices to welcome you, open and loving hearts and minds, & music to stir your heart and soothe your soul. We are glad you have chosen to visit!
YOU'VE ATTENDED- WHAT'S NEXT?
So you’ve attended a Worship Service and you’re wondering how you can get connected or become more involved? One way is to attend Bible Study, or small group, for fellowship, fun, and spiritual growth during the school year! We also have fellowship time year round in between services to give the congregation a chance to visit with old friends, and make new friends. Our Pastor and ministry leaders would be happy to speak with you, and help guide you toward what works for you.
WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER?
If you are interested in becoming a member and choosing First Presbyterian as your church home, we would love to hear from you!
Fill out the electronic application on this page.
Please contact our pastor with any questions you may have, too!
Meet The Pastor
I was born and raised in Williamston, Michigan. Due to the influence (indoctrination?) of my family, I bleed green—John Deere green and Spartan green. While I did not grow up in a very observantly religious family my mother did instill the importance of prayer by praying with my brother and I every night when we were young. It was through the ministry of Young Life that I came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior and my faith was nurtured through a Presbyterian college ministry and an Assembly of God college ministry. Needless to say, becoming a pastor was never a thought that occurred to me as a possibility. But after getting married and working as a Park Ranger at Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco, Washington, I began to sense a call to ministry. My pastor at the time and the congregation we were members of affirmed the call, my wife, Kortney, was a little more reticent (it is a great story, so ask me about it sometime). She reluctantly agreed and in the ten years since I have been ordained, we have both come to see that God has called me to the pastorate. Our family is glad to be back home after spending the last 18 years living outside of the mitten. I look forward to meeting you, hearing your story and the ways God has been at work in your life, and helping each other grow in our faith together.
Meet The FPC Staff
Custodial Staff
Wade Nitz
Custodian
Musicians
Robert Oster
Organist
First Presbyterian Church
2023 Boards Listing
SESSION ELDERS
Session will downsize to 12 Ruling Elders by 2025. They are the ‘head’ of the church. This board governs the local church according to Presbyterian polity.
Meets 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 pm
Nick Marlatt, Moderator
Rev. Scott Crane, Transitional Counselor
Cindy Preston, Clerk of Session
2023
Michael Behrendt
Tracy Solmes
Sandi Drummond
Steve Laubaugh
Gary Kimble
2024
Jim Bruce
Dave Allerding
Scott Allerding
Sally Keller
2025
Sunny Andersen
Sandra Billingsley
Kim Bosma
Cindy Preston
DEACONS
The Deacons serve persons in need. Deacons are called to show sympathy, witness, and serve after the example of Jesus Christ.
They will downsize to 9 Deacons by 2025
Meet 2nd Tuesday in Jan, Mar, May,
Aug, Sept, Nov at 6:30 pm.
Nancy Allerding and Pat Cassell- Co-Moderators
2023
Rex Brown
Sue Oom
Bernie Oom
Pat Cassell
Nancy Allerding
2024
Sue Granner
Deb Carpenter
Kristen Laubaugh
Susan Pachulski
2025
June Behrendt
Barb Bell
Audrey Deming
Stewardship Committee
Meet 3rd Monday each month at 5:30pm
Gary Kimble - Moderator
Family Ministry
Meet 2nd Monday each month at 6:30 pm.
Scott Allerding - Moderator
NAPS Ministry
Meets periodically
Tracy Solmes - Moderator
Worship and Music Ministry
Meet 2nd Monday each month at 5:15 pm.
Sally Keller - Moderator
Mission
Meet 2nd Tuesday alternating months with Deacons at 7:00 pm.
Steve Laubaugh - Moderator
Personnel Committee
Meet every 1st Monday at 7:00 pm.
Larry Winkler - Moderator
Nominating Committee 2023
Jim Bruce - Kim Bosma - Debbie Rang - Dale Billingsly - Eldon Cassell - Lisa Brown