Mission Statement
Jesus said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28: 18-20
Following the teaching of Jesus, to take the Word into the entire world, we continue to spread the Good News of Christ, always seeking to let others know of the joy that comes from the Lord. We implement this focus by making worship the central focus of our community of faith. We put a strong emphasis on mission as it is expressed in our support of various social mission and justice ministries. We encourage members to participate in education and growth ministries that emphasize spirituality and servant leadership.
Our mission ministries: Each year, church members volunteer at Mission at the Eastward in Maine, spending a week in this longstanding work camp. A number of church members support the important work of A Place to Turn.
Outreach
In addition to supporting the hundreds of missionaries sent out by the Presbyterian Church USA, our church has independently supported the construction of a church in Brazil.
Because there is a large immigrant population in MetroWest, we are particularly involved with outreach to that community. As a result, we have members who are from Brazil, Cameroon and Nigeria. In addition, countries represented in our fellowship include Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Japan, and Canada.
A Place to Turn is an independent food pantry serving the MetroWest. While it is not a program of the Church, it is located on the Church property and is heavily supported with the volunteer efforts of many members of Hartford Street Church. A Place to Turn provides food, clothing and household items to those who need them. They are always looking for volunteers, food and funds. Hours are:
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Director: Joanne Barry
Ph: (508) 655-8868
Community Garden
Hartford Street Presbyterian Church is committed to reaching out to our Natick community. The church, working closely with the Town of Natick and several other faith groups, has created a Community Garden. The first crops in the 55 raised beds were planted this spring. You can learn more about the garden project in this article, "Inspired by New Beginnings, community garden brings unity".
What does it mean to be a Presbyterian?
The Presbyterian expression of Christian faith is distinctive in three ways:
1) Presbyterians stress the sovereignty of God.
We believe that God is ultimately in control of our lives. While we celebrate the gift of free will that our creator has given us, we affirm that the Lord is “carrying” us and guiding us in the way he wants us to go. This means, in practice, that the world is “not on our shoulders”, that the world and our place within it are overseen by a loving yet all-powerful God.
2) Presbyterians stress the authority of the Scriptures as a guide to faith and life.
While tradition is helpful for understanding the Christian faith, it is not the ultimate authority for our lives. “Sola Scriptura” (Scripture) was the rallying cry for John Calvin, Martin Luther, and the other reformers who founded Protestant Christianity over 400 years ago.
3) Presbyterians stand for a faith informed by intellect, study and reason.
While reason alone can never bring a person to faith, Presbyterians believe that faith and reason are compatible, that God honors the serious, disciplined study of his word and his world.
Connect to the PCUSA Website here.