Weekly News — April 1, 2026

Contents

News

• Holy Week Services
• Maundy Thursday Family Worship Center
• Matthew 25 Lent Campaign - UPDATED
• Easter Flower Cross
• Office Closure April 6
• Single Service April 19 - NEW
• Egg Hunt
• Egg Hunt Volunteers
• VBS Volunteers
• Chester Country Migrant Ministry - NEW

Prayers

Maundy Thursday Family Worship Center

Reflect on the Holy Week stories in a new way this year by coming to First Pres' Maundy Thursday Family Worship Center anytime from 5-7pm on Thursday, April 2.

Designed for kids and families but open to all ages, this program will feature 6 different stations featuring the Bible's stories between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. In meaningful and age-appropriate ways, participants will be invited to read the stories and respond to the stories with various activities and prayer. We hope this will be a meaningful, faith building time for families during Holy Week. Talk to Sara Pantazes with any questions.

Matthew 25: Celebrate on Easter

Thank you to everyone who has participated in this year’s Matthew 25 campaign. Together, we’re working toward our $25,000 goal with a plan to give every dollar to a family in need of assistance. Just this week your gifts have helped survivors of domestic violence, new immigrants, and seniors with emergency needs. Because of your generosity people know the church is there for them when they’re going through a difficult period. If you haven’t gotten a chance to participate, there’s still time. We would love to include your gift in the total announced on Easter. Please consider a gift by check (put Matt 25 in the memo line) or online today!

Easter Flower Cross

On Easter Sunday, all are invited to bring your own cut flowers for the Traditional Easter Flower Cross, which will be displayed on the sidewalk outside of the church

Offices Closed Easter Monday

Please note that the church offices will be closed on Monday, April 6, for the Easter holiday.

Single Worship Service Sunday, April 19

There will be a single worship service at 10:00am on Sunday, April 19. The nursery will be open, but except for the Children's Musical, there will not be any other children's programs that morning. 

Thank you to everyone who has donated filled eggs for our hunt on Saturday. To date, we have collected 11,200 eggs, with almost 5,000 coming in just the past week. Thank you for your generosity! The Hunt is this Saturday at 10am in Everhart Park - come at 8:45am to hide eggs and join in the fun!

Egg Hunt Volunteers

In addition to the eggs, we'll need lots of help the day of the event to hide the eggs in Everhart Park. Please sign-up using the button below. 

There are flyers on the Welcome Center you can take to give to friends and neighbors or share the church’s Facebook post. Borough residents: we have yard signs advertising the hunt – if you’d be willing to put one in your front yard or garden, please let Elizabeth Hess know and we’ll get a sign to you.

VBS Registration is Open

Registration is now open for this summer's Vacation Bible School! Open to kids ages 4 - 5^th grade, this fantastic week will be filled with fun games and science experiments, playing with Bible stories, great music and friends! VBS will take place Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24 from 9am - noon everyday. Sign up through the button below and talk to Director of Faith Formation Sara Pantazes with any questions.

VBS Volunteers 
Planning is underway for this summer's Vacation Bible School and we are looking for teen and adult volunteers willing to help! We are looking for station leaders (recreation, art, and science) as well as group leaders to accompany each group of kids. VBS will take place Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24 from 9am - noon. If you are only available a couple days that week, we would still welcome your help! Talk to Sara Pantazes to sign up and get more information (spantazes@firstpreswc.com)

Chester Country Migrant Ministries

Thursday First Pres Prayers

This Month’s Prayer Request:

God of Renewal, as we journey through this month of April and witness the signs of new life all around us, we give thanks for the hope you bring. As the earth awakens and blossoms, remind us that your love is always making things new within us and around us.

Help us to live as people of resurrection hope, carrying light into places of darkness, offering kindness where there is need, and standing alongside those who long for comfort, stability, and peace. Strengthen us to be faithful neighbors, not only in word but in action, reflecting your grace in all that we do. We pray for all who feel weary or uncertain, that they may find rest and assurance in you. May our community grow in compassion and unity, so that all may experience belonging and care. We pray this in Christ’s name. Amen.

Each week we pray for our congregation at 12:00 pm on Thursdays.

Set an alarm or schedule it in your calendar to join us! You don’t need to only pray for the topic of the week, but you can continue to pray for previous topics as well or anything that God lays on your heart.

For those who would like to set up time to meet one-on-one with someone to navigate a time of transition or difficulty, Stephen Ministers are here to help.

Prayer Requests

If you would like to add a prayer (in joy or in time of need) to our Prayer Band, complete the website form, send an email, or call the church at the number below.

First Presbyterian Church | 130 W. Miner Street | 610-696-0554

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