Church Office is Closed
Following the guidance of our elected officials, the church office will remain closed. We're hopeful about opening the office in mid-April and in person church services starting in early May. At this point, we're planning for Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter to be online only. We'll continue to update you weekly as the situation progresses.

All events, groups, or meetings have been suspended. Contact your group leader for further instructions about virtual meetings or other arrangements. While the staff will not be in the building during this period, they are still available through email and by phone. The staff emails are available here. If you'd like to leave a voicemail, the staff can access them remotely and reach out to you.
Worship is Online Only - March 29
We'd love to worship with you online this Sunday at 9:00 or 10:42! Click the button below, go to firstpreswc.com/live, or stream the service on Facebook! Online worship has been such a wonderful way to bring a sense of the familiar, the sacred, and community even when we're maintaining our social distance. Thank you to everyone who worshipped with us these last few weeks. We look forward to being with you virtually again this Sunday!
Communication Chanels
During this ever-changing season, we want to make sure you have all the resources you need to stay connected to and informed about First Pres happenings. The three main ways we'll communicate are via email , Facebook , and our website . We have dedicated a page ( firstpreswc.com/coronavirus ) on our website to keep the latest news, videos, and updates as we try to stay connected during this time.
Upcoming Communication Schedule
While we can't physically be together, we'd like to stay in touch as much as possible. There are a few regular pieces of communication we wanted to make you aware of. You can access all the following studies, emails, concerts, etc. on our coronavirus updates page by clicking the button below.

  1. Tuesday Mini-Concerts: Each Tuesday, our music staff and a few volunteers will be putting together brief concerts for you to watch and enjoy.
  2. Wednesday Weekly Email: This has always happened, but be sure to catch the latest updates each Wednesday!
  3. Wednesday Night Bible Study (Sara - live): We are in the middle of a lenten Bible Study each Wednesday night and it's now happening via Zoom. It starts at 6:30 p.m. and is a great way to learn, to connect, and to grow! Click the button below to join tonight's meeting
  4. Thursday Video Bible Study (Pastors): Every Thursday we'll release a 20 minute guided reading focused on Jesus' Holy Week in Jerusalem.
  5. Weekend Update: Each weekend our pastors will be sending a reminder about the coming Sunday's worship service with a little note of encouragement.
Giving
Several of you have asked about how to give your offering while we are worshiping online. One way is by giving your offering online via our secure credit card portal. To give online simply click on the button below. You can always give by mailing a check to 130 W Miner St, West Chester, PA 19382. We will process those offerings once a week.
 
We also know this is a time of uncertainty for many. If this is your situation, please know the church is here for you. Reach out if we can help in any way.
Zoom Help
Many meetings and committees are moving online and using the Zoom platform for this season. If you need any help, please reach out to a staff member and we can walk you through how to download, install, and use the software! All staff emails are available here .
How Can I Help?
Many of you have asked, "What can we do during this time of need?" For the time being, we'll offer a couple suggestions each week on how you can connect and make a difference during this time of fear, isolation, and uncertainty.


  • Chester County Hospital is collecting any kind of masks and gloves in original boxes that can be used by front line staff (not sewn masks at this time).

  • See below, to give to immediate needs related to the coronavirus.
Matthew 25 Lent Campaign
Thanks to your incredible generosity, Session has decided to close the Matthew 25 Lent Campaign early due to urgent coronavirus needs and the incredible early results of the Matthew 25 campaign. Originally, we were hoping to raise $25,000 to alleviate the problem of homelessness in several ways. To date, we have raised $32,850! Closing the campaign early allows us to focus our extra giving on serving some of the immediate needs that have arisen due to the coronavirus. See below for more details.
Giving for Urgent Needs
An anonymous church member has approached us with an offer for a matching gift in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This member has agreed to match every dollar given up to $25,000 for a total of $50,000 to help relieve some of the burdens and stresses the pandemic has put on some of our most vulnerable neighbors. If you would like to participate in giving in this way, click the button below and select the "Coronavirus Matching Gift" fund.
Digital Bingo! - This Friday
This Friday, March 27 at 10 a.m., our kids and families have the chance play Digital Bingo! Each child will make a Bingo card, gather their own Bingo markers, and come prepared with a few jokes! Digital Bingo will be played over Zoom and will be filled with fun, laughs, and the joy of seeing each other's faces again! Email Sara Pantazes for more specific details or just use the button below to join Bingo at 10:00 a.m this Friday!

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


Take care...