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 Intermediate Youth (grades 5-8), and for
Young Youth (grades 3-4). 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.