The Presbyterian Church (USA) is a part of the family of Reformed churches found all over the world. Reformed churches have their beginning in the Protestant Reformation of 16th century Europe. Martin Luther is credited with starting the Reformation movement that swept Germany and quickly spread to other European countries. Luther's followers were called "Lutherans" because of their adherence to his popular teachings about the Bible and Christian faith. Soon other reformers in various European countries picked up on new Reformation doctrines and began refining them as always happens during a fresh new wave of thought. Most notably among these new reformers was a Frenchman by the name of John Calvin who was working in Geneva, Switzerland at the time. His ideas were based on Luther's, but he modified them and wrote them in a book entitled "The Institutes of the Christian Religion". In order to distinguish his movement from the "Lutheran" movement,the name "Reformed" was given to Calvin's part of the Reformation teaching. Later on, a young Scotsman named John Knox studied under Calvin and took the Reformed faith back to Scotland with him. Scotland soon became a stronghold of the Reformed Church. When early settlers came from Scotland to America, they brought their faith with them. The Presbyterian Church (USA) is descended in large part from Scottish Presbyterianism. Some of our major beliefs include: The Sovereignty of God, the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit to believers. We affirm that we are called into the service of Christ's church to proclaim the gospel ("good news") of salvation to all who will receive Christ as Lord and Savior. We accept the Bible as God's word and believe that it contains all that is needful for Christian faith and practice. We take part in the common life of the church by meeting together for Worship, Prayer and study. We enjoy a warm fellowship among our church family and we reach out to others in acts of service and compassion. We believe in living responsibly in the world and exercising faithful stewardship over all that God has given us. Presbyterians recognize two Sacraments -- Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Each particular church is governed by a board of Elders who have oversight of the church and it's mission. We have periodic classes for those who wish to inquire further into what it means to be a Presbyterian.