Advent 2025

First Presbyterian Church

of Philipstown

(FPCP)

"The Church of the Open Door"

With gratitude for a life well lived.

A Celebration of Life service for

Joan Crouch

Saturday, December 6, 2025 at noon.

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 for the Second Sunday of Advent

December 7, 2025

worship at 10:30 am

(in person or on zoom)

Rev. Ekama Eni will be in the pulpit, Tom McCoy at the piano, our choir will be singing, Ron Sopyla will be the reader, and Annie & Wally Becker will be lighting the Advent Wreath.

We will share the communion meal, celebrate the 197th anniversary of our church, and our young people will be in pageant preparations with Glyn Nixon!

All are Welcome!

Click HERE for this Sunday's Bulletin

Click on the image for Pastor Ekama's message about our Advent theme

Pastor's Page

Moving straight from the abundance and yumminess of Thanksgiving [photo:Ekama’s dad, Asikong, liberating one of our Thanksgiving birds from the clutches of a stressful deep frying day] into Advent still feels a little bit disorienting. There’s so much to taste this time of year. Speciality family bakes. Chocolate Advent calendars (I still import mine from the UK!). New recipes for upcoming Christmas dinners. YUM!!

Our lectionary text this week takes us to Jesus’ wild older cousin John in the wilderness beginning his ministry. He had, what one might call an interesting diet. John the Baptizer spent his life literally ushering in and waiting for Jesus too. What do you think he ate along the way (and who doesn’t love the family eccentric?!)?

It’s communion Sunday. We’ll celebrate our church’s birthday, so I’m sure they’ll be cake after worship (thank you Deacons!). Taste and see, indeed.

Click HERE to email Pastor Ekama

ADVENT BIBLE STUDY:

Sunday evenings at 5:00 pm, led by Rev. Ekama, on the Advent scriptures from the Gospel of Matthew. December 7 and 14.

All are welcome!

Click HERE to order Christmas Flowers

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.

Click HERE for our December calendar

Our Next Midnight Run:

Saturday, December 20

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

Click here for food donation signup

Click HERE for the 2026 Estimate of Giving Form

Stewardship Campaign for 2026

Update: We are off to a great start! To date there are 14 pledges totaling over $60,000 towards our goal of $100,000! Please add your commitment too!

Our theme of "Love you Church" was introduced by Lynn. Click on her photo to read her remarks.

Use the link to access your 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, 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!

A Prayer For Clarity by Rev. Cameron Trimble

Holy Presence,

steady us when power trembles.

When authority becomes spectacle,

remind us that truth does not depend on title.

When leaders lose themselves,

help us not to lose our way.

Grant us the courage to stay awake,

the patience to discern,

the mercy to see even the broken as human,

and the resolve to protect those they endanger.

May our clarity be our compassion,

our faith our fidelity to what is real.

Keep us from hatred.

Keep us from despair.

Keep us human.

Amen.

PHILIPSTOWN FOOD PANTRY

serving those in need in our local community

845-612-2040

Food Pantry Coordinator, Kiko Lattu

Note from the Food Pantry: On 11/22 the Food Pantry delivered to 28 clients, including a note inviting families to sign up for the free inter-faith Thanksgiving meal. We’re grateful for this annual effort and glad to help publicize it to all 87 clients served that day—not just the 32% reached by home delivery. On Thanksgiving morning, Coordinator Kiko enjoyed helping package meals which the Knights of Columbus delivered across Philipstown.

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...

UPCOMING EVENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY:

This Sunday!

Tom and Goldee Headline a "Holiday Hoot" in Beacon!

We are happy to host

The Dream Choir's December concert

All Are Welcome!

December Programs at the Philipstown Behavioral Health Hub:

Our Community Stands for Democracy!

Every Saturday from 10:30-11:30 am, some of our church family and many from the community gather at the corner of Main Street and 9D in support of Liberty and Justice for All.

All are welcome to stand with those gathered or to honk in support if you're driving by!

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