Worship at First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor
Worship: 10:00 a.m.Sunday Mornings.
We are an open and welcoming congregation, everyone is invited. We have a mixed worship, incorporating traditional and contemporary music. We have a dedicated choir and talented music director, Marcelo C.
Men’s Coffee Group at 9 a.m. , Thursdays at Martin’s
Evensong and Prayer at 5:15, Thursdays
Community Supper at 6:00, Thursday evenings
Coordinated and often cooked by Virginia M., the community suppers serve members of the congregation, friends and neighbors of the Church. Bringing our community together over a great meal serves us all.
Food Bank
In coordination with FEMA and local donations, the Church sponsors a food bank for neighbors in need. This is coordinated with First Call for Help which verifies eligibility. Inexpensive food is obtained through Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank, Benton Harbor.
Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen
Every other month the congregation led by Margaret B. cooks a hot lunch for members of the community who are in need of nourishment. Members of the congregation staff the kitchen the first Saturday of the month on even numbered months. The congregation has served the soup kitchen for over thirty years, ever since the opening of the kitchen.
After-Worship Luncheon at First Presbyterian Benton Harbor
After -Worship Luncheons (AWOL)
Monthly “pot-luck” lunches are served in Goff Hall after worship, coordinated by Ellen G. It’s often a race to the serving table to enjoy the wonderful meals! Many lunches have themes to celebrate special events, including Soul-food Sunday during Black history month and picnics at Lion’s Park Beach once or twice each summer to celebrate our natural beauty on the sandy shore of Lake Michigan.
Summer Work Camps
Each summer First Presbyterian hosts groups from around the country who do service projects around Benton Harbor. Groups stay at the Church and work with the Work Camp Director Don B. to scrape and paint homes or do similar projects for needy people in or near Benton Harbor. Contact the Church for more information. Phone: (269) 925-7075, Email: firstprez2003@yahoo.com
Summer Reading Program for Neighborhood Children
Each Summer members of the congregation and teachers from neighboring Morton Hill School host a reading program and invite local children to improve their reading skills.
The people of First Presbyterian…
Over 100 years old, First Presbyterian has an integrated congregation and stands out for closely reflecting our community demographic make-up.
Events in the life of the church that help to bring us together are worship, Bible study, monthly after-worship lunches (with unique themes), two annual picnics on the Lake Michigan beaches, small group evening and Soul Sisters (a women’s group).
With the help of Presbytery we are able to conduct an extensive outreach program in our neighborhood. We have an after school program for elementary age children which features tutoring, we operate a food bank serving the immediate neighborhood, Christian education and fun activities. We have a similar eight week summer mission program, which hosts youth groups who paint and clean up areas in the community while developing relations with people they may not otherwise come to know.
While many of the mainline churches have moved out from the inner city setting of Benton Harbor, we have consciously chosen to remain here, where we feel we are called. We are a very self-reliant group with an effective committee structure of committed individuals. We have learned to focus our outreach programs to allow our members to provide leadership and oversight through the Outreach Committee.
