Who are we?
First Orthodox Presbyterian Church was established in 1955 to bring
the Good News of Jesus Christ to Sunnyvale and its surrounding
communities.
We are orthodox. The term means straight doctrine or right
teaching. It has nothing to do with orthodontia (dental work), nor are
we related to the Eastern Orthodox Churches. We strive to be
consistent with the truth of the Bible as expressed in the historic
Christian faith. For us to be orthodox means we are confessional,
holding to creeds (from Latin credo which means “I
believe”) such as the
Apostles’ Creed,
the Nicene Creed,
and the Westminster Confession and Catechisms of Faith.
![]() We are also Presbyterian. The term
“Presbyterian” refers to the form of government that is
used by a church or a group of churches. It derives its meaning from
the Greek word “presbyteros,” which is used throughout the
New Testament in connection with the rule of the church, and is
usually translated “elder.” A Presbyterian church governs
its congregation by both teaching elders (the pastors) and ruling
elders (mature Christian men in the congregation gifted
accordingly). Together they make up the “session” and join
with “sessions” of other regional churches in the home
denomination in forming a “presbytery.” We are not
congregational (ruled by the membership), nor hierarchical (ruled by a
hierarchy of priests and bishops). We also have deacons,
called ministers of mercy, who are responsible for overseeing the
ministries helping those who are needy. (Visit
this page to get to
know our officers!)
We are a church. This means we are a local expression of the
Orthodox Presbyterian Church» which in turn is a visible expression of the invisible body of Jesus
Christ.
If you would like to learn more, you are welcome to join our inquirers
classes anytime, or ask for the different literature we have available
for you.
| 
