On the corner of Floral Avenue in Johnson City, a small stone-and-brick church has opened its doors every Sunday morning since 1892. First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City, a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) within the Susquehanna Presbytery, is known across Broome County for two things in particular: a Christ-centered blended worship with strong music, and a hands-on outreach program called This Day that feeds, clothes and welcomes people in need throughout the week. The church's address sits just a bridge away from neighboring Binghamton, and its leaders often speak of that bridge as a reminder of how God reaches across to meet people where they are.
Worship on a Sunday Morning
Sunday worship begins at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary and runs about an hour. The service is blended, weaving traditional hymns with contemporary songs, and most Sundays feature the congregation's choir along with the pipe organ. Members and visitors of all ages worship together; the church's own description is simply, "All ages are welcome!" For those who cannot attend in person, services are livestreamed on YouTube, and giving is available online as well.
The atmosphere is warm and rooted in Reformed tradition. Scripture is read, sermons are preached, and the sacraments are administered and received under the care of the Session. Newcomers who want a sense of what to expect can simply show up at 10 a.m. on Sunday; members of the congregation are glad to greet visitors and help them find their way around.
This Day: A Benevolent Community
This Day is the ministry that gives First Presbyterian its reputation across the region. Born from a conviction that "we may only one moment in time to help someone in need," the program envelops individuals and families within a benevolent community and works to ease physical, emotional and spiritual hunger.
From Monday through Wednesday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, This Day opens its doors to residents of Broome County and the surrounding area, offering food, clothing, showers, personal hygiene products, small household items, and advocacy. When a need cannot be met on site, This Day refers guests by hand to one of forty-three partner agencies. A yearly paid Food Service Trainee mentorship gives unemployed or underemployed individuals a chance to build skills and confidence while serving the community.
The program's current needs reflect the basics of daily life: toothbrushes, cleaning products for program activities, and garbage bags. Anyone can ring the doorbell for service during the weekday hours.
Wednesday Around the Table
On Wednesdays the church moves from quiet assistance to a full community meal. Doors open at 4:00 PM, and a free all-you-can-eat hot dinner is served from 4:30 to 5:30 PM throughout the year. Other services and community resources are often available at the same time, so the evening has become a gathering place for neighbors who may or may not attend Sunday worship. No reservation is required, and there is no cost.
For a family with children, a senior living alone, or anyone looking for a hot meal and a few friendly faces, Wednesday at First Presbyterian is the front door.
Thursday Nights: Bible Study and Choir
Thursday evenings belong to deeper study and music. Bible study meets at 6:00 PM, and choir practice follows at 7:00 PM. Both are open to anyone who wants to learn, ask questions and grow spiritually, and the smaller-group format is a fitting entry point for newcomers who want to dig into the Word in a conversational setting. Music Director Glenna Coutts, who has led the program since August 2009, uses the talents of singers and instrumentalists across the congregation and works with the youth to bring their gifts into worship.
Tuesday Hands: Quilting and Other Groups
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, the Quilting Group gathers in the church. The members laugh, tell stories and share needlepoint, knitting, crochet and quilting. Newcomers can learn any of the crafts for the cost of supplies (about two dollars), and the first quilt made is donated to the church as a healing quilt. After that, quilters often make baby quilts, lap quilts, wedding gifts or bed coverings for themselves and others.
Behind the scenes, several committees keep the congregation running. The Session governs the church and guides its witness. The Trustees care for the property, authorize the use of the building and grounds, and oversee repairs. The Mission Committee leads the congregation in living out its mission statement locally, nationally and worldwide. Congregational Life meets on the second Tuesday of each month and hosts coffee hours, the Easter Lily and Poinsettia sales, the summer picnic, the fall sanctuary decoration, the Harvest Dinner around Thanksgiving, a Christmas giving project for those in need, and ongoing care for shut-ins through phone calls, cards and prayer.
A Heritage Spanning More Than a Century
First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City traces its roots to 1892, when it began as the Floral Avenue Sunday School. In 1918 the congregation formally incorporated as the First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City and has continued in the same corner of Johnson City ever since. Pastor Robert Peak, a graduate of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, has led the congregation since October 15, 1990. Under his Christ-centered leadership the church has launched Andrew's Good News senior ministry, the N.O.A.H. flood and disaster response ministry, planned national and international mission trips, the midweek community dinner and worship services, and outreach to local schools. He and his wife, Brenda, raised their three children in the community and have made it their home.
Music has always been a hallmark of the congregation, and the current Music Director and Clerk of Pipe has led Christmas and Easter musicals, drawn out the musical gifts of the youth, and helped the choir become a defining feature of Sunday worship.
Sent Out: Mission Partners and Disaster Response
The congregation actively supports two missionary partners. The Pousseur Family lives and serves in Tokyo, Japan, helping to launch Shalom House, an arts and community center where missionaries, Japanese pastors and other gospel workers can come together to use art and community to draw their neighbors toward Christ.
Closer to home, the N.O.A.H. flood and disaster response ministry is part of how the church reaches out when neighbors are hurting. The Mission Committee also frames the congregation's everyday work as mission: members are reminded that they "enter our mission field" each time they walk out the doors of the church.
What We Believe
The church's mission statement centers on three qualities drawn from Scripture - to be gentle and respectful, to love and be faithful, and to be merciful. Members put those qualities into practice by actively seeking service to God through the arms of the church, spiritually assisting the community in meeting life's challenges, and partaking in fellowship programs with hope, compassion and support.
For anyone exploring faith, the church offers a simple four-step path titled "Steps to Peace with God": admit your spiritual need as a sinner, repent and be willing to change direction, believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross, and receive him through prayer into your heart and life. Members and staff are glad to walk through those steps with anyone who is curious.
Stepping In
Visitors are invited to come as they are. Sunday worship is at 10:00 AM, the This Day meal is served Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 PM with doors opening at 4:00 PM, and Bible study meets Thursdays at 6:00 PM. Anyone wanting to learn more can stop by the church office at 2 Main Street, Johnson City, or reach the office by calling (607) 797-0836. New members are always welcome.