First Presbyterian Church

of Philipstown

(FPCP)

"The Church of the Open Door"

Rev. Ekama Eni, Pastor

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 this Sunday

October 11, 2026

worship at 10:30 am

(in person or on youtube)

Rev. Ekama Eni will be in the pulpit,

Tom McCoy at the piano, and our choir will be singing. Rachel Thompson will be the reader, and our young people will be in class with Carolyn Llewellyn.

All are Welcome!

Please subscribe to our Youtube page and follow along with our adventures with this expanded technology!

https://youtube.com/@firstpresbyterianchurchofphil?si=jeMjI18154ttXLPk

Click HERE for this Sunday's worship bulletin

You may contribute to the World Communion Offering

thru October 18, to help promote the PCUSA work of

"...doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God"

Pastor's Page

How often do you change your mind? As

someone who’s pretty stubborn and set in her ways, I am very much prone to vibe shift or the whims of the Holy Spirit to help change the direction of basically everything (it’s quite annoying, but again I’m stubborn!)

Last week we heard the story of the Israelites receiving the 10 Commandments through Moses, and this week we’ll dive in to what happens when the Israelites transgress against one of these boundaries that God has laid out in front of them and how God and Moses react, and even perhaps how this God changes God’s mind when set out on a task. When I started taking scripture a little bit more seriously, I’ve always remarked about the instances where God changes God’s mind. It rubs up against an image of God that I’ve inherited that’s stoic and unchanging. As I’ve been worship planning this week, I’m really appreciating the reminder that I (and therefore you!) share similar qualities, frustrating or not.

Looking forward to diving into this Exodus Saga with you more!

-Ekama

Click here to contact Pastor Ekama

From Pastor Ekama:

As we move into the end of this year's election cycle I want to lift up the PC(USA)'s upcoming study series Why "Presbyterian" Will Never Be a Political Party.This 3-week study will be hosted by current Moderators Rev. Marta Pumroy-Cordero and the Rev. Dr. Kristopher D. Schondelmeyer, and will offer an in-depth look at the denominations social witness policy.

See more in this link and register for each specific week

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BsgDhr49J/

A word from our own Mona Smith and an invitation to the reading of her new play "Intent" on October 18

Theater lovers and history buffs: Celebrate the arts, our community, and our revolutionary history for a good cause! On Sunday, October 18, at 2 pm, Mona Smith's new play INTENT will have a staged reading at the Paramount Theater in Peekskill, performed by actors of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare company.

INTENT weaves a fictional story, inspired by historical events. In September 1780, the British spy Major John André is imprisoned inside a Hudson Valley tavern. André tries to win over his American captors and charm his way to freedom, but he meets his match in Katje, a tavern worker assigned to serve him, when she realizes her gallant guest may hold the secret to the fate of her soldier son. Other characters include George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, the Marquis de Lafayette, and André's famous co-conspirator, the disgruntled American General Benedict Arnold.

INTENT is the featured entertainment at a benefit to support the Paramount's free year-round programs serving local school children, veterans, first responders, and people with developmental disabilities. Benefit event tickets start at $40 -- but if FPCP brings a group, we can make a donation of any size and Mona will reserve tickets for all of us!

Your special FPCP ticket includes a whole afternoon of entertainment:

1 pm: Live fiddle music and cider-tasting

2 pm: INTENT: Staged reading

4 pm: A Tavern Chat with local historians about the play & the history that inspired it! Refreshments served.

Email us HERE to join the church group attending INTENT

Scenes from last Sunday, October 4:

Welcome New Members!

In worship on October 4, Steph Hare and Rachel Nobile became our newest members!

We're so happy to have you join our church family!

If you are interested in church membership, please speak to Pastor Ekama

Our Sunday School:

Is it YOU?

Will you share one Sunday morning with our young people?

Thanks to Elder Carolyn Llewellyn and Pastor Ekama, we have a link to see "Sunday School 101" to see what we're planning. Also, there's a link to sign up and schedule your Sunday.

We're grateful to you for considering this!

Click HERE to see our Sunday School plans

Click HERE to SIGN UP for a Sunday to teach our wonderful young people!

Blessing of the Animals!

Midnight Run Update:

No run scheduled in October.

Our next run is on Saturday, November 7

Thanks to all who participated in the September 19 run. Be sure to read Ron's report!

click HERE to read Ron's report of the September Run

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 12:00- 2:00 pm

The Food Pantry is open on Saturdays

8:30 - 9:45 am

click here to contact the Food Pantry

Our "Blessing Box" is available 24/7!

Based on the concept of a "Little Free Pantry" this was constructed and begun as a project of Julie G several years ago.

It is stocked with nonperishable items and located at the north side of the church.

Take what you need, leave what you can.

Here is our October Calendar

We're Grateful for your Generosity!

Our church family and the community beyond support the life and work of this church with donations that help to keep our buildings and grounds clean and safe, and to pay our staff fairly.

You may donate to the church by using the QR code to access our paypal, dropping a check or cash in the offering plates on Sunday, or mailing it to us at 10 Academy Street, Cold Spring NY 10516

Did you know that we have a weekly Centering Prayer Group?

The group meets on Wednesday mornings at 7:00 am via zoom, and once a month in person at the church followed by breakfast.

Interested in attending? send an email via the link below.

Click here to inquire about Prayer Group

Email the Prayer Chain with your prayer requests

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