Advent 2025

First Presbyterian Church

of Philipstown

(FPCP)

"The Church of the Open Door"

Christmas Eve Worship

Wednesday, December 24 at 7:00 pm

Join us for special music, candlelight, lessons, and carols

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

Don't miss our

JAZZ NOEL

featuring our own

Tom McCoy and the band!

Invite your friends, too!

Saturday, December 20 at 5:30 pm

Festive Reception to follow

Our Next Midnight Run is

This Saturday, December 20

Will you help us to help the homeless in NYC by providing some food item(s) for the bag lunches we bring to share with them?

Items may be dropped off at the church at 10 Academy Street

on Friday Afternoon or Saturday morning.

Use the button below to sign up.

Click here for food donation signup

Join us for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 21, 2025

worship at 10:30 am

(in person or on zoom)

It's Our Christmas Pageant!

Our Children will be telling the story of Jesus' birth in story and song, with audience participation! Rev. Ekama Eni will be in the pulpit, Tom McCoy at the piano, our choir will be singing, Rachel Thompson will be the reader, and the Llewellyn Family will be lighting the Advent Wreath.

All are Welcome!

Click HERE for this Sunday's Bulletin

Sunday December 21 at 7:00 pm - Join us for a Longest Night Service and Labyrinth Walk

Do you seek a quiet space in which to be held, in the midst of all that's going on around us? Come.

Christmas Flowers

You can help to beautify our sanctuary for Christmas Eve, and buy a plant in memory or in honor of someone. Then it's yours to take home after the Christmas Eve service.

THE LAST DAY TO ORDER IS THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21!

Click HERE for the order form for Christmas Flowers

SCAM ALERT! A Message from Pastor Ekama

Hi folks! It’s come to my attention that there’s been some scam emails impersonating me going around.

Just as a note, I’ll never ask you to spend your own money on anything for the church. Buying gift cards is NOT an emergency. These kinds of scams are unfortunately quite prevalent this time of year in churches. All of my communication will come from ekama@presbychurchcoldspring.org or I will call or text you from my cell phone (it’s a 240 area code that I’ve had since I was in middle school).

Be vigilant. Be thorough. Come find me (you know where I live!).

-Pastor Ekama

Pastor's Page

I'm always curious about how people come to know/learn common stories. The other night I as I was eating dinner I decided to turn on Kevin Costner's "The First Christmas" that aired last week on ABC. The aim of the special is to reintroduce the story Jesus' birth, not just from a Biblical but also a historical framework. Not just because I'll watch anything with Kevin Costner, but I'll always be curious how people come to know or findout abour or even tell the stories of Jesus. How did you first hear the stories of Jesus' birth and life?

This week is a busy one. Jazz Noel will be Saturday at 5:30p, our wonderful fantastic perfect Christmas pageant will be during our Sunday morning worship and that evening at 7pm we will usher in the winter season with a contemplative and more solemn Longest Night worship and Lynn will have the labyrinth set up afterwards. Jesus is indeed coming, this week I invite you to immerse yourself in the ways that we use the sense of hearing in this waiting season. There are so many opportunities for us to hear the story of the coming of Christ, will you listen with me?

-Ekama

Click HERE to email Pastor Ekama

Stewardship Campaign for 2026

Update: We are off to a great start!

And we are so grateful to the 20 households whose pledges total approx $80,000 towards our goal of $100,000!

Please add your commitment to theirs!

Use the link to access your Estimate of Giving form

Click HERE for the 2026 Estimate of Giving Form

Join us for our special Christmas Services:

In addition to our Sunday 10:30 am Advent services

Saturday, December 20 at 5:30 pm - "Jazz Noel" featuring Tom McCoy and musical guests, followed by a festive reception

Sunday, December 21 at 7:00 pm - Longest Night Service and Labyrinth Walk

a meditative space amid a busy and challenging time

Wednesday, December 24 at 7:00 pm - Christmas Eve A service of Candlelight, Carols, Readings, and more!

You can use our QR code to donate to the church

or the Food pantry,

and also make a recurring pledge.

We need your support and appreciate your generosity!

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 12:30- 2:00 pm

The Food Pantry is open on Saturdays

8:30 - 10 am

click here to contact the Food Pantry

Photos from last Sunday...

The snow prevented us from meeting in person, but there was warm community in worship on zoom, as Sarah, Jeremy and Anna lit the Advent Candle. And later some of our evening Bible Study group met on zoom.

Email the church office

Our Session and Deacons 2025

Elders (L. to R.)

Mitch Dul, Lynn Brown, Carolyn Llewellyn, Cathy Carnevale, Laura Reid, Diana Geller, Ana Silverlinck

Deacons (L. to R.)

Dianne Waterman, Ron Sopyla, Rose Inman, Leslie Leonard, Rachel Emig, Bev Taylor, and

Glyn Nixon

Are there interests you would like to see addressed? Topics? Events?Bible Study? Other times and days? Or for more info about the ongoing groups, please contact us, using the link below:

Did you know that we have an email Prayer Chain?

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