Weekly News — September 25, 2024

Contents

News

• Community Trick or Treat - new
• October Bridge Program - Can I Ask That? - new
• Women's Fall Study - new
• Migrant Ministry Request - new
• Church Library - new
• Spiritual Legacy Gathering
• Homecoming Luncheon
• October Meal Signups
• New Women's Book Study
• October Lectio Divina Session
• Miner Street Stringers
• Puppy Adoption Event - updated
• Bibles for Third Grade Students
• Mama Bear Documentary Screening

Prayers

Community Trick or Treat

Boo! One of our church’s largest outreach events is our Community Trick or Treat. This year it will be Friday, October 25 from 6 – 7:30, and we hope to welcome hundreds of church and community members. We need dozens and dozens of volunteers to help make it happen! If you have interest in helping us decorate, answer doors, greet, or anything else that evening, please use the sign-up tab below or contact Elizabeth Hess (ehess@firstpreswc.com). Candy donations are also needed (we hope to collect several hundred bags); a drop-off bin is in Fellowship Hall.

Decorating for Outreach Event: On Sunday, October 20 at 11:30 am, we’ll be decorating the hallways, Herron Lounge and classroom/office doors for that Friday’s Trick or Treat. This is a quick and fun all-ages opportunity to serve. If you and/or your family can decorate, please use the sign-up button below.

October Bridge Program - Can I Ask That?

Join us beginning October 2^nd for our inaugural “Can I Ask That?” series. This is a new series for First Pres., led by Pastor Andrew, which will help us as a community of faith wrestle with challenging issues and topics in a world that is incredibly divided. As people of faith, we cannot retreat from challenging issues, but we can speak about them in love, and even amidst disagreement, learn from one another, appreciate one another, and together live out the unconditional love of Jesus.

This first series will focus on division leading into our election season as we seek to love our world and one another amidst a culture of estrangement. Join us on October 2, 9, and 16 at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall for light snacks, fellowship, and conversation that seeks to model a more Christ-like way of living together amidst difference.

Women's Fall Study

Next Wednesday, October 2, we'll start an 8-week women's Bible study that will meet in the Chapel on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11 am, studying the life of Joseph using Kelly Minter's Finding God Faithful video and workbook study. Whether you've never done a study before or not, there is a place for you in this group! Sign up using the button below or see Elizabeth Hess.

Migrant Ministry Update

Thank you for your great response to the request for mattresses and beds for our neighbors! We delivered 7 mattresses, 5 box springs, 6 bed frames, sheets and blankets. If you are getting new mattresses or have extra beds, frames, cribs (<5 years old), or linens, please keep Migrant Ministry in mind (contact Nancy Haughton at nancy.k.haughton@gmail.com). Thanks for your continued support!

Church Library

Thanks to the congregation's thoughtfulness, the First Pres Library receives new additions to its collection on a regular basis. Approximately once a month they are showcased in Fellowship Hall between services for people to review and take home. The library, located next to the restrooms on the main floor, is also open every Sunday morning. Stop by soon to check out some refreshingly worthwhile reading.

Spiritual Legacy Gathering

What are insights you’ve gained over the years that you’d like to share with generations to come? Who and what has shaped you and your faith? What do you believe about God, the role of the church, and what are your hopes for future generations? During this hour-long gathering, we’ll begin the process of crafting Spiritual Legacy documents that you can share with the young people in your life. We will meet at 11:45 on Sunday, Sept 29 in Fellowship Hall. Please sign up in advance on the website; for those who would like to participate but are unable to attend in person we can make the materials available. For more information, please contact Pastor Caroline (ccupp@firstpreswc.com). 

Homecoming Luncheon

On Sunday, October 6 we will celebrate our traditional homecoming luncheon for those who have been members for fifty or more years. If you would like to help by greeting or serving that day or to RSVP, please contact Pastor Caroline. Also, if you know someone who should have received an invitation but has not let us know.

October Meal Signups

Please sign up to join other First Pres friends for a meal in October. We have both daytime and evening options. This is not just a couples' event, but for everyone! You can sign up at firstpreswc.com or click the button below. Special thanks to our hosts for opening their homes.

New Women's Book Study

Spiritual Connections will begin study of a new book on Monday, October 7 at 6:30 p.m. Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality by Philip Newell, “represents a spirituality for today, modeled on the vital characteristics of Celtic spirituality through the centuries…[based] on the essential goodness of creation and of humanity made in the image of God.” All women are encouraged to join the discussion to consider and reflect. Meetings are the first and third Mondays via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Contact Ellen Endslow at eendslow@verizon.net with questions or to obtain the Zoom link.

October Lectio Divina Session

Lectio Divina is an ancient, prayerful method of reading Scripture. Our next session will be Sunday, October 6, starting at 8:00 am in Room 214. Come early for this time of prayer then stay for coffee and worship. Whether you have prayed using this method before or it is new to you, our prayer is that opening yourself to the presence of God through Scripture, silence, and community will enrich your walk with the Lord. All are welcome. Talk to Sara Pantazes with any questions.

Miner Street Stringers

The Miner Street Stringers are looking for string players of various levels (intermediate and up) and ages, to join their group! Rehearsal is on September 29 from 3 until 4 pm. The ensemble will play at the 9:00 service on October 6th. If you are interested in playing now or in the future, please email Adriana Park at teachvln@aol.com.

Puppy Adoption Event

Do you love dogs and coffee? Come support our youth group's service project at the Gryphon Cafe on Friday, October 4^th from 3-6 pm! The youth have been working diligently with Rags to Riches Pet Rescue and for their final project they are helping to foster and adopt dogs by hosting this event. We would love to see you there !

Bibles for Third Grade Students

Every fall, First Pres gifts a Bible to the church’s 3rd graders as a way to encourage them to continue growing in their faith. If you would like a 3rd grader in your life to receive a Bible, please contact Sara Pantazes by calling the church office or emailing Sara Pantazes (spantazes@firstpreswc.com). The Bibles will be presented in worship on October 20, but children do not need to be present in worship to receive one. 

Mama Bear Documentary Screening

The Baptist Church of West Chester is hosting a screening of Mama Bear, a film that explores a community of 30,000+ women across the country who come from conservative Christian backgrounds and call themselves "mama bears" because while their love is warm and fuzzy, they fight ferociously to make the world kinder and safer for all LGBTQ+ people. The film screening and subsequent discussion will begin at 3:30 pm on Sept. 29 at Act in Faith. If you would be interested in attending with others from First Pres, contact Sara Pantazes.

Thursday First Pres Prayers

This Week’s Prayer Request:

Our partners at Iglesia Getsemani in Guatemala have been ministering to several members with recent diagnoses and injuries. Please keep these friends, along with their families and congregation, in prayer. 

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.

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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