what we believe
Guiding Principles
Know the Lord More Deeply
The Holy Spirit
It is the desire of the people of Orchard Park Presbyterian Church to search for, embrace, and implement the will of the Holy Spirit in all that we do. Our prayer and aim is to be a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led people.
To learn more about our theology please click here.
Worship
Worship, with its reformed rhythm of prayer and praise, Word and Sacrament, is central to
the life of the OPPC congregation. To learn more about our Order of Worship and Sacraments please click here.
Grow as Disciples
Children and Youth
OPPC has a great tradition of children and youth ministries and we must use that heritage to propel us forward and outward. Children are welcomed at our worship services with Children’s Messages targeted to their understanding.
Young Adults and Young Parents
We are deeply committed to ministering to our young adults and young parents, they are a vital part of our OPPC family.
Connect with Each Other
Unity
We are to be one church and one congregation, not many.
Our goal is to unite our congregation into a single body of believers through worship, prayer, mission and outreach, education, communication, and fellowship, while still maintaining the spectrum of styles and opportunities required to meet the diverse worship and service needs of our people.
Community
One of the strengths of the OPPC congregation is our warm friendliness and open-armed welcome to everyone who enters our doors. It is our desire to build a more cohesive intergenerational community that serves as an extended family.
Reach Out with the Love of Jesus
Mission/Outreach
The Orchard Park congregation has a deep commitment to reaching out with love and compassion to our neighbors, both in our home communities and around the world. This passion for mission at a personal and congregational level will continue to be a cornerstone of our identity in the years ahead.
Leadership
We strongly affirm the historical doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, as borne out by the enthusiasm with which our people have shared their passion and faith during the wide-ranging discussions we have had together as part of this Mission Study. We know that in the great
Presbyterian tradition, persons among us are called to take up positions of leadership as Deacons, Ruling Elders, and Teaching Elders. To learn more about our governance or polity as well as the Presbyterian Church (USA) please click here.
the sacrament
of BAPTISm
In the Presbyterian Church (USA), we believe that the Sacrament of Baptism is the sign and seal of God’s grace and covenant in Christ. As the baptismal waters are placed onto the baptized’s head, it is a reminder to all of us of God’s faithfulness, that in Christ each of us are made new, and that we are welcomed with open arms into the covenant family of the church. Holding each of these truths in our hearts, Orchard Park Presbyterian Church (OPPC) celebrates the Sacrament of Baptism during our morning worship services.
We baptize children each month as a witness to the belief that God’s love claims us before we are even able to respond in faith, asking that parents make a promise during the service to help their child grow in their faith. But although we believe that parents will play an absolutely vital role in this growth process, this entire church family is with them every step of the way, as the congregation makes promises to nurture each baptized child as well.
There are two requirements for a child to be baptized at OPPC: at least one parent must be a member at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church (for more information about membership, click here) and, both parents and the child need to have a brief meeting with the pastor before their child’s baptism Sunday.
For more information about baptism at OPPC contact Rev. Dr. Shelly Wood.
THE SACRAMENT OF
COMMUNION
“I am the bread of life.”
John 6:35 (NRSV)
The Lord’s Supper is the sign and seal of eating and drinking in communion with the crucified and risen Lord. In this act, we remember that during his earthly ministry, Jesus shared meals with his followers and sat at dinner tables as a sign of acceptance of the sinner and the outcast. In the last meal before his death, Jesus took and shared with his disciples bread and wine, speaking of these elements as his body and blood, symbols of the new relationship with God brought about by his impending death. On the day of his resurrection, the risen Jesus made himself known to his followers in the breaking of bread.
In the act of remembering that is the Lord’s Supper, we receive and trust the
love of Christ present to us and to the world. Through it, we are renewed and
empowered to be the church, the body of Christ, in the world.
The invitation to the Lord’s Supper is not just for Presbyterians or “members
of the church.” All who confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are invited to
partake of the Lord’s Supper. Access to the Table is not a right conferred upon
the worthy but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith,
repentance, and love. Even one who doubts or whose trust is wavering may
receive the bread and grape juice (in place of wine) in order to be assured of
God's love and grace in Jesus Christ.
Orchard Park celebrates the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper the second
Sunday of every month.
During both services, all (including children) are invited to the Lord’s Table to receive Communion, which is served by intinction. Congregants proceed via the center aisle to receive the bread (gluten-free bread is available in the paper “cup” within the basket of bread), which they then dip into the chalice of non-alcoholic grape juice. Worshipers return to their pews by the side aisles.
Portions of the text above are adapted from The Book of Order.