Springtime Church Special
Bigger Is Not Always Better
By Rev.
R.G. “Randy” Richmond
First
Presbyterian Church of Zachary
The First Presbyterian Church of Zachary is not a large church, but for some things, bigger is not always better. Small can be great, especially when it comes to relationships among people who care deeply about each other and about their common purpose -- to worship God in a manner that is Biblical, evangelical and traditional.
There are even some distinct advantages. As the theme to one old television show used to say, “You want to go where everybody knows your name.” Members are a true worshiping community. They know each other, care about each other and share other activities outside the structure of the church. Some are members of the same civic and fraternal organizations, while others travel and plan extended tours together; and all support our local schools and sports teams!
Members have real impact in the life of the church. Women and men have the opportunity to serve by assisting the minister in various portions of the worship service, as well as by sharing leadership in the mission and management of the church through participation in the Ministry Team.
The congregation has an outreach that touches the Zachary community as well as the rest of East Baton Rouge Parish, extending statewide, nationally and globally through various missions and causes supported by special projects and offerings.
Causes that frequently receive support include the Zachary
girls’ summer softball league; the CASA program in EBR parish, which provides
advocacy for children in the courts; Evergreen Ministries, which cares for
mentally challenged adults throughout Louisiana;
Presbyterians Pro-Life (Research, Education and Care), Inc.;
Latin America Missions; and the missions program of the Presbyterian
Church.
The church facilities are also open on Tuesday mornings for the activities of the Melange Art Guild. The goal of all these is, as their mission statement declares, to be continually “Reaching out in the love of Christ.”
Located at 4850 Lakewood Drive (one block west of Fennwood),
the congregation at First Presbyterian Church of Zachary gathers for worship at
10:30 each Sunday morning with Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each
month. Refreshments are shared during the time before and after the worship
service.
Together with the pastor, the congregation invites all Zachary area friends, neighbors, and visitors to attend.