Bridge Dinner and Worship

You may remember the Wednesday evening dinner and gathering program called The Bridge, “bridging” the week from Sunday to Sunday. We are thrilled to resume this time together, and are now including a short, unique worship service. This fall’s dinners are on Wednesdays, September 21, October 19 and November 16. We’ll gather in the Fellowship Hall at 6:15 for dinner, and then join together for a worship service in the Chapel from 7-7:30 pm.

Please sign up using the button below by Sunday, September 18 if you are planning to attend this month's dinner. The menu for September 21 will be catered by Meatball U, a local restaurant, and will include baked ziti, meatballs, Caesar salad, garlic bread, and dessert. All ages are welcome!

Even if you don’t come for the meal, please join us for a brief worship service in the Chapel at 7 p.m.

Welcome to David Teager (me!)

Your new Church Administrator has arrived and is finding his way around the building, happily learning of the many gifts and skills of his colleagues, and looking forward to meeting more of FPC's volunteers and members. Working on this email is among the first of my responsibilities. You may see subtle changes in this and in the Sunday bulletins as I weave myself into the fabric of the congregation. If you have any questions or comments, you can email me or call me at church during office hours (M-F, 8:30-4:30 starting next week). 

Young Justice Builders Club

This group will hold its first session of the year on Sunday, September 25 from noon – 1 pm in Fellowship Hall. All elementary-aged children and their grown-ups are invited to participate and light snacks will be provided. This session, we’ll begin considering the lessons we can learn from Cory & the Seventh Story. Please let Sara Pantazes know if you are planning to attend. 

Christian Faith and Issues (CFI)

CFI will begin meeting monthly this Sunday, September 18, at 10:45 am. The group will meet in the church’s conference room, near the staff offices (rear hall of the first floor), and on Zoom. CFI is an adult Sunday School group that meets to discuss topics relevant to our culture – in PA, the U.S. and globally, and how we should respond based on our Christian beliefs and values. Topics include issues of social justice, racial inequity, fair voting rights, protection of the environment, among others. Please join us this Sunday in person if you are in church, or for the Zoom option, email Dan Campbell.

Clothing Drive

From now through Sunday, September 25, the Francis Kettenring Clothing Closet and our Youth Group are partnering in a clothing drive to support the Clothing Closet and its ministry in Chester County. Specific clothing requests include clothing for upcoming cooler weather in sizes 5–14 for both boys and girls. There is also a particular need for pants for sizes infant–14. The Clothing Closet is a ministry of First Pres that provides clothes, shoes, and coats for children at no cost to families in Chester County with this need. On September 25, the Youth Group will be sorting, folding, and organizing the clothes received to have a fully-stocked Clothing Closet heading into the fall.

Church Cookbook

There are free copies of the church cookbook available at the Welcome Center - grab one for yourself and one for a friend!

Wednesday Night Adult Study

This fall, the Wednesday night study will dive deep into the Lord’s Prayer based on Prayers of the Cosmos: Meditations on the Aramaic Words of Jesus. Weekly sessions will include discussion of the text and its variations, as well as an optional time to try the body prayers that are part of the study. The group will meet over Zoom from 6:30 to 7:30 on Wednesday evenings beginning on September 28. Participants are encouraged to acquire a copy of the book; talk to Sara Pantazes if you need help ordering. Please sign up if you are planning to participate.

Middle School Bible Study – Sunday Mornings

This year, our middle school Bible study takes place on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. We meet in Room 217, the youth group meeting room, to have fun, build relationships, and discuss topics centered around how our faith connects to our everyday life. If you know a middle schooler who would benefit from this time, we’d love to have them. Please reach out to Eric Hankins if you have any questions or would like more info!

Children’s Programming Registration

The beginning of the school year means it’s time for many of our programs for children to resume, and we need to know who is interested in what! Programs for preschool and elementary-aged children include Sunday School, Kids Connect, Children’s Choir, the new kids’ handbell choir (Miner Street Bell Connections), and Young Justice Builder’s Club. Please click the button below to register your children, which will give us up-to-date emergency contact information and will help us know who is planning to participate.

September Food Drive

This month we’re collecting two sets of items, one for the West Chester Food Cupboard and one for our Wednesday Lunch program. Donations to either are deeply appreciated - items can be placed on the white cart in Fellowship Hall.

WCFC Item: Cereal

Wednesday Lunch Items: Granola bars

First Crew Trip to Kentucky

First Crew will be traveling to Kentucky to assist persons in need from the devastating December 10, 2021 tornado. The dates of our trip are Sunday, October 23 through Friday, October 28. Our long-time partner, Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders, will once again coordinate our work locations. This group of tornadoes was particularly destructive; there were 81 fatalities and more than 650 people injured. The estimated cost of recovery is more than $3.9 billion. The main qualification is your interest in helping others in need. Fuller Center supplies both materials and tools for the assigned tasks, as well as supplying a manager to oversee the project. Each year we have about an equal number of men and women participating. If you are interested in learning more about this mission opportunity to serve others, please contact Jim Serum by email or by phone at 610-793-1920.

Upcoming Preaching Schedule

September 18 - Rev. Dr. Sally Brown

September 25 - Elgin Bailey

October 2 - Rev. Caroline Cupp

October 9 - Rev. Dr. David Dickey

The 9:00 service each week is broadcast over WCHE at 11 a.m. each Sunday at 1520AM and also at 95.3FM.

The Holy Indifference Prayer:

Dear God, Your will, nothing more, nothing else, nothing less. Amen.

This Week's Prayer Topic:

Pray for the Nominating Committee as the members seek to fill Elder, Deacon and Trustee positions. Waken the hearts of those who might be willing to assume leadership positions in the church.

The PNC has asked that we as a congregation pray for the Holy Spirit within them to:

1)    Give them energy,

2)    Clarity,

3)    Wisdom & discernment,

4)    Seek God’s will for our congregation, and

5)    Lead a person of God’s will to us.

Please make this an ongoing prayer throughout this transition period.

Each week we pray for our congregation at 12:00 p.m. 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.