About our church
We open our doors
to our community
We are a small, but active group of believers.
Our Pastor
Rev. Lance Smith
My spiritual journey has been a long one full of curves and twists. My path has found me in many work positions: a laborer, naturalist, a teacher, a camp director, a youth director and a minister.
I have a broad palette from which to paint my view of the world. My passion is building and supporting the community of Christ. Not only through worship and educational programs but through everyday interaction with the Christ who resides in all of God’s creation. I love gathering people together to do service projects, worship, eat or play. Mostly because in a group the presence of Christ is felt more strongly (Jesus did say: “ wherever two or more are gathered… there I will be also” )
I love telling and listening to stories of all kinds. Music is also a passion, I play guitar and enjoy mostly folk, bluegrass, blues, gospel and Americana.
I love living in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, and enjoy being out in the natural world as often as possible. I live at the foot of White Oak mountain in Columbus NC with my wife Heather who works at Flat Rock Playhouse, and my two sons; Isaac who is a MS/HS Band director and Ezekiel, a thespian who loves acting and singing in musicals. In every aspect of my life, I can feel the presence of the living God.
I enjoy sharing music and stories as well as writing and delivering sermons each week.
I truly believe most of us are in such a rush and hurry to get our lives lived that we miss the love and care God continually sends us through all the living beings that surround us. We all seem to be running flat out crazy trying to succeed only to find ourselves alone, tired, and confused. If we could only slow down a bit we could see more clearly that we live in a miracle world where we are all loved beyond words.
Session and Staff
Staff
Pastor:
Rev. Lance A. Smith
Organist:
Betty Turner
Custodian:
Melinda Hill
Parish Nurse:
Sharon Bennett
Pastor Emeritus:
Dr. Phil Dunford
Session Members
Class of 2020:
Starr Robinson
Class of 2020:
Sharon Bennett
Class of 2021:
Mary Sandra Sparrow
Class of 2022:
Ray Bridges
What is a Session?
The Session is the governing body of any Presbyterian USA church. It is composed of the pastor of the church and elected “ruling” elders. The pastor generally serves as the “moderator,” or the head, of the Session. The Session has many duties, including receiving new members, managing finances, leading the congregation in the church’s missions and managing the property of the church.
Church Facility Use
Our mission is to serve God and show Christ's love to all
Mission Work
Among the many works we participate in at First Presbyterian are:
- Participate in fall bazaar at Black Mountain Home for Children
- Support Black Mountain Home monetarily
- Support local Yokefellow with money and monthly food items
- Support Rutherford County Schools’ backpack program
- Support Presbytery’s 5-cents-a-meal program
- Outfit a student from local elementary school twice a year
- Support programs of Western North Carolina Presbytery
- Participate in Habitat program in the county
- Members are active in community services such as mentoring to students in elementary, middle and high schools.