First Presbyterian Church

of Philipstown

(FPCP)

"The Church of the Open Door"

Rev. Ekama Eni, Pastor

Yoga with Leslie Leonard - Tonight!

Thursday Sept 24 at 6:30 pm in the social hall

All Are Welcome!

Monthly Book Group

Tomorrow!

Friday September 25 at 7 pm

in the church library.

We will be discussing The Correspondent by Virginia Evans.

Knowing that all community is a gift of God,

we affirm there can be no exclusiveness about the body of Christ.

We welcome into our community and membership all people of God, regardless of ethnic heritage, national origin, age, gender,

marital status, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic standing;

and we encourage the full participation of all

in the life of our congregation.

Adopted by the session, March 9, 1995

Join us this Sunday

September 27, 2026

worship at 10:30 am

(in person or on youtube)

Rev. Elizabeth Friend-Ennis,

Executive Director of Interfaith Prison Partnership (IPP) and Zena Waldron will be leading our worship. Rev. Ekama Eni presiding. Dianne Waterman will be the reader.

Tom McCoy will be at the piano, our choir will be singing, and our young people will be in class with Rachel Emig.

Following worship, we will be assembling release bags to be given to incarcerated women upon their release from prison.

All are Welcome!

Please subscribe to our Youtube page and follow along with our adventures with this expanded technology!

https://youtube.com/@firstpresbyterianchurchofphil?si=jeMjI18154ttXLPk

Click HERE for this Sunday's worship bulletin

Pastor's Page

Happy Fall Y’all!

I stepped on a leaf in front of the church the other day and almost squealed with joy!!I don’t know about you, but my September has felt pretty full on. This weekend will certainly be no different. I’ve spent much of this month trying to force myself into cycles of play alongside work (and perhaps not enough rest). I pray that this season finds you able to find a balance that feels good.

I’m very grateful that our partners at the Interfaith Prison Partnership will be joining us in worship for some updates on their work and their very important ministry to our incarcerated neighbors (The Hudson Valley houses over a dozen correctional facilities, these are indeed our neighbors!). Scripture tells us the stories of a God who liberates from captivity and Jesus rails against all that physically and spiritually holds us captive. I believe, that at its core, the Bible is the story of how God, through the intervention of the Spirit, demands our freedom. It’s messy and we often get in God’s way, but God is extremely persistent. After worship, we’ll gather to help aid in the comfort of some of those who need a little bit of comfort once they are released from incarceration, please stay immediately following worship and join the assembly line before you grab some coffee! Huge thanks to Elder Laura Reed (and Molly!) for their continued efforts of helping to organize these release bags. Freedom is a collective effort.

Looking forward to being with you all,

-Ekama

Click here to contact Pastor Ekama

Next Sunday, October 4th:

World Communion Sunday and Reception of New Members

at 10:30 worship

Blessing of the Animals at 1:30 pm

From Pastor Ekama:

As we move into the end of this year's election cycle I want to lift up the PC(USA)'s upcoming study series Why "Presbyterian" Will Never Be a Political Party.This 3-week study will be hosted by current Moderators Rev. Marta Pumroy-Cordero and the Rev. Dr. Kristopher D. Schondelmeyer, and will offer an in-depth look at the denominations social witness policy.

See more in this link and register for each specific week

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BsgDhr49J/

A word from our own Mona Smith and an invitation to the reading of her new play "Intent" on October 18

Theater lovers and history buffs: Celebrate the arts, our community, and our revolutionary history for a good cause! On Sunday, October 18, at 2 pm, Mona Smith's new play INTENT will have a staged reading at the Paramount Theater in Peekskill, performed by actors of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare company.

INTENT weaves a fictional story, inspired by historical events. In September 1780, the British spy Major John André is imprisoned inside a Hudson Valley tavern. André tries to win over his American captors and charm his way to freedom, but he meets his match in Katje, a tavern worker assigned to serve him, when she realizes her gallant guest may hold the secret to the fate of her soldier son. Other characters include George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, the Marquis de Lafayette, and André's famous co-conspirator, the disgruntled American General Benedict Arnold.

INTENT is the featured entertainment at a benefit to support the Paramount's free year-round programs serving local school children, veterans, first responders, and people with developmental disabilities. Benefit event tickets start at $40 -- but if FPCP brings a group, we can make a donation of any size and Mona will reserve tickets for all of us!

Your special FPCP ticket includes a whole afternoon of entertainment:

1 pm: Live fiddle music and cider-tasting

2 pm: INTENT: Staged reading

4 pm: A Tavern Chat with local historians about the play & the history that inspired it! Refreshments served.

Scenes from last Sunday, September 20:

Our Happy Crew at the September Presbytery meeting this week!

PHILIPSTOWN FOOD PANTRY

serving those in need

in our local community

845-612-2040

Food Pantry Coordinator, Kiko Lattu

The Food Pantry is now

accepting food donations

and doing set-up on Fridays 12:00- 2:00 pm

The Food Pantry is open on Saturdays

8:30 - 9:45 am

click here to contact the Food Pantry

Our "Blessing Box" is available 24/7!

Based on the concept of a "Little Free Pantry" this was constructed and begun as a project of Julie G several years ago.

It is stocked with nonperishable items and located at the north side of the church.

Take what you need, leave what you can.

Click HERE for our September Calendar

We're Grateful for your Generosity!

Our church family and the community beyond support the life and work of this church with donations that help to keep our buildings and grounds clean and safe, and to pay our staff fairly.

You may donate to the church by using the QR code to access our paypal, dropping a check or cash in the offering plates on Sunday, or mailing it to us at 10 Academy Street, Cold Spring NY 10516

Happy September Birthdays!

Roy S - September 8

Brennan S - September 16

Rachel T - September 18

Click HERE to send us Your Birthday Info!

Around our community...

Did you know that we have a weekly Centering Prayer Group?

The group meets on Wednesday mornings at 7:00 am via zoom, and once a month in person at the church followed by breakfast.

Interested in attending? send an email via the link below.

Click here to inquire about Prayer Group

Email the Prayer Chain with your prayer requests

Email your prayer requests and a group of people will be praying for your concern. Also email if you'd like to join the group and add your voice to the prayers!

Email the prayer chain