About Us

Brief History of MorningStar Presbyterian Church

October 11, 1987. The congregation was officially chartered as a new church on March 27, 1988. Our
building was completed and dedicated on June 3, 1990. The Rev. Pete Perry was the organizing Pastor
and the first installed Pastor. He served MorningStar Presbyterian Church until 1994. The Rev.
Millie Snyder served as the second installed Pastor of this congregation from November, 1995, until
July 2004.

The Reverend Stephen Mitchell has served as the third Pastor of the congregation since the middle
of July 2006. Raised in Upstate New York, he earned a degree in Geology at Florida State
University, and a Masters of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary. He has served congregations
in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Florida, and Alabama. His wife, Lynn, teaches choral music at Shilo
Elementary School, and they have three children.

What does it mean to be a member of MorningStar Presbyterian
Church?

Membership in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is defined as accepting “Christ’s call to be involved
responsibly in the ministry of his Church.” Such involvement includes: proclaiming the good news;
taking part in the common life and worship of a particular church; praying and studying Scripture and
the faith of the Christian Church; supporting the work of the Church through the giving of money, time,
and talents; participating in the governing responsibilities of the Church; demonstrating a new quality
of life within and through the Church; responding to God’s activity in the world through service to
others, living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social relationships
of life; working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment.

At MorningStar we recommend that new members find at least one opportunity for spiritual nurture
and one opportunity for service. As you grow in your new church family, we hope you might become
involved in more opportunities and commitments.

What opportunities does MorningStar have for spiritual nurture?

Each Sunday we offer a worship service at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Throughout the year, special seasonal
worship opportunities are offered. Information about these is included in the bulletin and in the
newsletter.

On Sunday mornings two adult Sunday School classes meet for study and fellowship. The Bible
Discovery class uses “The Present Word” as their guide to Bible Study. The Reflections Class reads
and discusses spiritually rich books. Both classes are taught by lay people in a discussion format.

All women of the congregation are invited to participate in the activities of Presbyterian Women. A
women’s circle meets on the second Saturday of each month for Bible study, mission projects, and
fellowship. These meetings are held in members’ homes: the location is announced in the weekly
bulletin and in the monthly newsletter.

Occasional Bible studies and topical studies are offered for adults at other times. These are
announced in the weekly bulletin and the monthly newsletter.

Youth fellowship groups are offered for Senior Youth (grades 9-12), for Middle School Youth (grades
6-8), and for Young Youth (grades 3-5). Youth group activities are announced in the weekly bulletin
and in the monthly newsletter.

What opportunities are there for me to serve?

Most of the ministry of MorningStar is accomplished through the work of our ministry groups. Most
of those groups meet monthly, on the fourth (or last) Monday evening. You are always welcome to
come to a ministry group meeting. If you would like more information about the work of a ministry
group, contact the church office or the moderator of the group.

Many opportunities are available for church members who would like to serve on an occasional basis.
These needs are often listed in the weekly bulletin or the monthly newsletter. A “Time and Talent
Survey,” completed annually in worship, gives members another avenue to volunteer for service. If
you have a specific gift that you would like to share, or if you have a vision for a particular ministry
opportunity, please see the pastor or an elder to discuss your service.

Many members of MorningStar serve God by serving people in need. They offer their time and
expertise to local schools and non-profit agencies; they share their money and their goods with people
in need. As Jesus calls us all to serve those who are hurting, we encourage you to get involved in
serving others and seeking justice. Congregation-wide ministries include Room in the Inn (hosting
homeless folks through the winter months), our monthly 5-cents-a-meal offering to help feed people
who are hungry in our Presbytery, and various other ministries sponsored by the youth and
Presbyterian Women.

All members are encouraged to make a stewardship pledge, an estimate of financial gifts for the
year. This pledge is written on a pledge card, turned in to the Stewardship of Gifts ministry group,
and is used by the Session in planning our annual budget. Our budget is based on the pledges made by
our members. Pledges are kept in confidence, known only by the pastor and those elders who receive
them, and by the church’s treasurer and the administrative assistant who keeps our financial records.
Members are given a box of offering envelops to use for their contributions. By using the envelopes,
you are assured that your gifts are recorded toward your pledge, and you will receive an accurate
statement of your giving for your own records and tax purposes. Regular financial giving is an
important component of spiritual service and we encourage all members to strive toward tithing,
giving ten percent of their income to the ministry of Christ.

If I have a need, who should I contact?

Pastoral care is provided for every member through the ministry of a Care Team Leader. A Care
Team leader will be assigned to you and will contact you to introduce himself or herself. If you have a
pastoral care need, such as a hospitalization or a death in the family, contact your Care Team leader
or our pastor. Care Team leaders and other members send cards, make visits, provide meals, and
offer special help to those in need. Our pastor is available for pastoral care and counseling by you
scheduling an appointment, and is on-call for serious emergencies at any time.

What happens next?

After you join the church at a meeting of the Session, will be received as new members during the
worship service, along with any others who are joining. After the service, you will be asked to stand
with the pastor so that others may welcome you personally.

You will be contacted by a member of the Mission and Evangelism Ministry Group who will invite you to
attend a New Member Gathering with other recent new members. At this gathering you will have an
opportunity to meet other members, to converse with our pastor, and to get more information about
the church. We encourage you to bring your questions to the New Member Gathering. It is an
excellent opportunity to ask for clarification about any issue, or to share ideas for the church’s
ministry.