Welcome

Hello. And welcome. Let me introduce you to our church. I am Richard Graugh, the minister here. Most simply call me Pastor Richard. We here at First Presbyterian are a congregation known for our hospitality, sincerity of worship, openness and faithfulness. As a community of followers of Jesus Christ, we celebrate the gift of life together in song, prayer, and praise.  We worship in an attitude of “relaxed reverence.”  I invite you to come join our church family.

Come in and get to know us.

About Us

The First Presbyterian Church of Port Jefferson was established in 1870 as a mission of the Setauket Presbyterian Church with 50 members. The Masonic Hall, across the street from the church, was the original church building. Our current building was completed in 1911. Our membership today numbers over 260, and we're growing.

Our governing boards consist of 12 Elders/trustees and 12 Deacons, with 7 committees that oversee the work of Christ in our community and beyond.*

• We have expanded our mission to include trips for youth and adults to Puerto Rico and Cuba and participation in Midnight Run, providing food and clothing to the homeless in New York City. Other areas of mission and outreach that we support include Habitat for Humanity; Protestant Campus Ministries at the State University of New York, Stony Brook; Church World Service; Seaport Preschool; Heifer Project; and the Parish Resource Center.

• We have offered our own programs and been partners with surrounding churches fostering programs to further understanding of the people and culture of the Middle East, and also with the Greater Port Jefferson–Northern Brookhaven Arts Council to present the Festival of Films & Faith series, which is open to the community.

• We've hosted art exhibits.

• We've been known to decorate a wooden cross with flowers on Easter Sundays.

• The whole congregation once created a paper Nativity scene during a worship service.

• We've read Scriptures in many different languages.

• We've built a model church out of Legos to illustrate that it takes many people and many talents to make a church.

• We hold an annual Blessing of the Animals service, with dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, llamas, and more.

You never know what we'll do next. Come and see!

Our Pastor

We are proud to introduce our minister, The Reverend Dr. Richard Graugh. He began working with us in October 2007. He brings a rich and varied work history and education to his ministry: Following the completion of a BA degree (with honors) in Sociology, he worked variously as a Social Worker with the Children's Aid Society; as Assistant Manager for an Electrical Works Group, as a Carpentry Crew Supervisor, a Youth Minister, Hospital Chaplain, and as a staff member in a multi-staff church. All the while he continued to pursue formal training for the Ministry. Following completion of a Master of Divinity degree at Princeton Theological Seminary and receiving formal Ordination, he accepted a position as full time solo Pastor to the First Presbyterian Church of Parkesburg, Pa, a position he held for sixteen years. Ever the avid student, Richard continued formal studies while serving as full time pastor and eventually achieved a Doctor of Ministry degree which he earned from Eastern Theological Seminary. Richard is the proud parent of two grown, college-aged daughters, one of whom is married and recently promoted Richard to the role of grandfather.

Worship

Worship at the First Presbyterian Church of Port Jefferson is at 10:00 a.m., September through June, and at 9:30 a.m., July and August, on Sundays. Children are welcomed in worship and attend with their parents from 10:00 to 10:30 September through June; in July and August, they attend from 9:30 to 10:00. After the Children's Sermon, they leave to attend Church School until 11:30 September through June, or until 11:00 in July and August. This allows parents time for coffee and fellowship during the fellowship hour immediately after worship.

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month and Maundy Thursday. All baptized Christians are welcome to receive this sacrament, whether or not they are members of our church.

Special services during the year include the Service of Healing and Wholeness on Ash Wednesday, the Blessing of the Animals service near Christmas, the Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Service, and the Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. If you go to our newsletter 'Viewpoint' and the calendar contained there-in, you can plan your month around church events.

Every Sunday worship is a special celebration of the glory of God and God's son, Jesus Christ. All are welcome to worship with us. Because we believe in the acceptance of all humankind as children of God and because our language never adequately expresses the nature of God, our services use inclusive language. For those who desire to use inclusive language, alternative versions of the Gloria Patri and Doxology are printed in each bulletin.

There are large-print hymnals and electronic aids for the hearing impaired available; ask an usher to help you if you need these. If you have an announcement or prayer request, please raise your hand and wait for an usher to come to you with a microphone. When making your announcement or request, please hold the microphone close and speak directly into it so you will be heard.

Our numbers in worship are growing! The wonderful problem this creates is the need for tighter seating on Sunday mornings. When you take your seat, please move to the center of the pew to allow more people to sit beside you.