First Presbyterian Church

of Philipstown

(FPCP)

"The Church of the Open Door"

Note: The 197th Annual Congregational Meeting of First Presbyterian Church of Philipstown will be held on Sunday, January 25, 2026, immediately following the worship service.

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 First Sunday of the New Year!

January 4, 2026

worship at 10:30 am

(in person or on zoom)

Rev. Ekama Eni will be in the pulpit, Tom McCoy at the piano, Laura Bach will be singing, Dianne Waterman will be the reader, and we will celebrate communion.

All are Welcome!

Click HERE for this Sunday's Bulletin

As the New Year begins, we share our gratitude to those who have served in 2025 on our church boards, our Elders and Deacons

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

Photo:

December Session meeting hosted at the manse by Rev. Ekama

Our unison Benediction from December 28 worship:

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among brothers,

To make music in the heart.

- Howard Thurman

Pastor's Page

Merry Christmas All!!

I hope these days and this season of miracle finds you in gratitude for all that God is and has done in the midst of the ordinary of our lives. I spent my Christmas day going between the living room and the kitchen, lots of lounging and calling and Facetiming loved ones all over the world. The foster dog my family is currently taking care of, Max, really enjoyed his vacation to Cold Spring!

One of my fave things in the world are lists (I know, I know). They're helpful for not forgetting things, keeping stock of what one has, all kinds of useful knowledge. As we look to the coming new year, I just wanted to share with you all a list I've made this week, recounting my personal top 10 FPCP moments this year.

1. teaching the session how to spell Bieber AND explaining what a Labubu is

2. watching River Silverlinck show his friend how to follow along to the bulletin/hymnal during service

3. baby Jesus/Josie sleeping throughout the Christmas pageant

4. Harp postlude at our installation service

5. Friday setups for the food pantry

6. hearing people's CNS stories

7. Cathy and Bev power washing the manse porch

8. Blessing of the Animals

9. hearing Greg's music lessons while I'm working in the office

10. our outdoor worship and potluck

This Sunday we'll be leaning into the season of Christmas and focusing on the star that lead the wise people to Jesus and his parents. I really appreciate the wisdom that comes from others, even from stars as a way of bringing us closer together. Imagine the type of lists those wise ones kept in their studies and practice...

Happy New Year when it finds you!

In wonder,

Ekama

Click HERE to email Pastor Ekama

Click HERE to email us YOUR favorite FPCP moments of this church year!

Stewardship Campaign for 2026

Update: We are so grateful to the 25 households whose pledges total over $90,000 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

THE 2026 PER CAPITA amount is $41.31.

This is the amount that our church must send to the Presbytery and National Church, per member, for their support. Of this amount, $11.26 goes to the General Assembly (or PCUSA), $4.25 to the SYNOD of the Northeast, and $25.80 to the Hudson River Presbytery.

You may pay your per capita however you normally donate to the church, with the designation “per capita 2026”. Thank You.

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

Book Club News:

The Monthly Book Club will meet on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the church.

The book for discussion will be Leonard and Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession.

All are welcome. Contact Bev Taylor or Sally Smith

Photos from December dinner meeting, when Nicole made "book cookies" decorated with the names of books read in 2025!

Email the church office

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