Weekly News — October 21, 2026

Contents

News

• Quick Glance At The Calendar
• 2026 State of the Church
• New Church Members - NEW
• Community Trick or Treat
• Youth Glow-In-The-Dark Murder Mystery Halloween Party
• Planting Seeds - Stewardship 2027
• First Pres Travelers - Joshua - NEW
• Gathering for Dementia Support
• Silent Book Club West Chester
• Community Thanksgiving - NEW
• Christmas for Migrant Families
• 2027 Women's Retreat Registration - NEW

Prayers

Quick Glance At The Calendar - October/November

10/23: Community Trick or Treat

10/25: Youth Glow-In-The-Dark Murder Mystery Halloween Party

11/8: State of The Church

11/14: Silent Book Club West Chester

11/25: Community Thanksgiving

2026 State of The Church

Mark your calendars for the 2026 State of the Church on Sunday November 8 at 10am between the 9am and 10:45am services. This will be an opportunity for Pastor Andrew to reflect on the previous year and share what’s on the horizon. God has done so much with and through our church in the past year, and we are hopeful for what God has in store for us in 2027 and beyond. Come, reflect, and let us look forward together as a family of faith.

New Church Members

We are happy to welcome the newest members of First Presbyterian Church! Please give them a warm welcome when you see them. The new members are: Joan Holt, Marge Johnson, Don and Amy Lynn (not pictured), and Britt White.

Trick or Treat - This Week

This Friday is our 19^th annual Trick or Treat! We are still in need of some help to make this event a fun one for hundreds of our neighbors and friends. There are some open volunteer roles on the sign up link below, and we could still use some bagged candy, if it can be dropped off to the church by Thursday morning. Lastly, please spread the word (handouts available at the church, or you can share the Facebook post online). New this year will be a sensory-friendly space in the Chapel, hosted by Faith on the Spectrum. Thanks for helping us with this annual event to share God's love with our community!

Glow-In-The-Dark Murder Mystery Halloween Party

On Sunday, October 25, from 4-6pm., we will have a Glow-in-the-Dark Murder Mystery Halloween Party during Youth Group! No need to register; just show up in a Halloween costume and feel free to make it glow in the dark. We will supply the glow sticks!

Planting Seeds - Stewardship 2027

Our Stewardship theme this year is "Planting Seeds". Below is a link to our 2027 Stewardship Booklet where you will find all of the information about our Planting Seeds Campaign. There are pledge cards in the pews, and pledge cards and a stewardship letter have been mailed to homes. You can also pledge online here: Online Pledge. We give thanks to all of the ways you steward your time, your talents, and your resources to support the mission that God is calling us to.

First Pres Travelers - Joshua

The First Pres Travelers has a couple who can't make the November 12 production of Joshua at the Sight & Sound Theater in Ronks, PA (Lancaster County) and the lunch smorgasbord at the Hershey Farms Restaurant (next door). The total cost for both is $102.65 per person. If you are interested, please email Thom and Irene Clapper at psuthom@verizon.net, and they will give you the necessary info to secure the tickets. All participants are driving individually and carpooling to the theater and restaurant.

Gathering for Dementia Support

Our church is exploring the possibility of starting a meet-up for those who live with or care for someone with dementia. The group would be a place to connect with others going through similar experiences and share strategies. Day, location, and frequency would be determined by group members. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Pastor Caroline. 

Silent Book Club West Chester

On November 14 from 10am-12pm, First Pres & Mistral French & Fast will be hosting Silent Book Club. Silent Book Club is a free BYOB (Bring Your Own Book) gathering for readers in West Chester and nearby areas. Bring along your current read, e-book, audiobook, or any beloved page-turner, settle into a calm shared space, and connect with fellow book lovers. Quiet, screen-free joy is the goal. Silent crafting is also welcomed, so feel free to bring your knitting, sketchbook, journal, or other supplies.

For this meetup, please bring donations for the First Presbyterian Church's community pantry if you are able to do so. They’re most in need of personal care items — toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, and feminine care items. Please use the below link to reserve a spot!

Community Thanksgiving

Each year First Pres and our wider community come together for food and celebration. The event takes place in Fellowship Hall on November 25 at 11:30am during our usual Wednesday Lunch time the day before Thanksgiving. Please use the below link to sign up to bring a side, dessert, or supplies to share, or just bring yourself. We can also use helpers of all ages to serve food and help with carrying plates. This is a wonderful opportunity to include even the youngest kids in something that makes a positive impact on their community. 

Christmas for Migrant Families

We hope you will join us this year to share in the joy of Christmas with neighboring families in need. Christmas for Migrant Families at First Pres  has been a large part of our Christmas tradition for more than 30 years, sharing our faith and our blessings with the poorest families served by the Chester County Migrant Ministry in Kennett Square, PA. This year even more in than in the past, this community is struggling. We would love your support for this important ministry. We are seeking:


• Family Sponsors - yourself or with your family or group. Adopt one individual or a whole family.
• Gift Cards - all gifts will be in the form of store gift cards which gives the parents the joy of shopping for their children themselves. Sponsors will receive a form containing the names of their family, ages, and some of their needs and wishes, and even some of the stores easily accessible to them for shopping.
• Monetary contributions are always welcome - you may send checks directly to the church with the designation of Christmas for Migrant Families

Deadline for dropping off gift cards at church is December 6, 2026. Please email Nancy Haughton at nancy.k.haughton@gmail.com if you have any questions about sponsoring a family or just need more information about this ministry.

2027 Women's Retreat Registration

All First Pres women are invited to step away from the busyness of life and spend time refreshing their spirits together! Join us on Saturday, February 6, 2027 for a one-day retreat. Come for fellowship, teaching, meaningful conversation, and time with Scripture as we learn to open our eyes to God's leading and seek God's direction for our lives. Whether you’ve attended every year or this is your first time, there’s a place for you. Please register through the link on the Sign-up tab of the church's website and talk to Elizabeth Hess or Sara Pantazes with any questions. 

Thursday First Pres Prayers

This Month’s Prayer Request:

God of changing seasons, we thank you for the abundance and beauty in your creation. Let all have what they need to be nourished in body and in spirit. Bless the West Chester Food Cupboard, Wednesday Lunches, and all those places in our community and throughout the world that feed your people. We ask this in Christ’s name. Amen.

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

GIVE | Visit firstpreswc.com

Thank you for your gifts supporting the mission and ministries of First Pres.