Weekly News — May 1, 2024

Contents

News

• Youth Sunday
• Communion Sunday for Families - new
• New Members - new
• Staffing Updates - new
• Family Picnic
• Moms' Group - new
• Spiritual Legacy Gathering - new
• Christian Nationalism Class - Save the Date - new
• VBS Volunteer Sign-Up - new
• Church Library Reminder
• Summer Music Camp
• Red Cross Blood Drive
• Spring Serenade

Prayers

Youth Sunday

Join us on Sunday, May 5^th for Youth Sunday! Our 6^th-12^th grade students will be leading us in worship at both services and our high school seniors will be delivering the sermon. We appreciate your support of our young people!

Also make sure to join us in the fellowship hall from 10-10:45 am that day because youth and their families are providing delicious pastries, bagels, and more!  

Communion Sunday for Families

This Sunday, May 5, is a Communion Sunday, so we wanted to remind families that there will be a shorter Sunday School program during the sermon portion of the 9:00 service. This gives children a chance to experience more of the worship service and participate in Communion. The Worship Center is available for children to create a bag of activities if that helps them feel comfortable being in worship for a longer period. A big thank you to families and the whole congregation for welcoming children to more of worship on these Sundays, so that we can all “taste and see that the Lord is good” together. 

New Members

Please give a warm welcome to the newest members of First Presbyterian Church! 

Elizabeth Jeyaraj

Nate and Laura Kauffman

Kelly McIntyre

Brian and Jennie Redling

Manfred Brauch

Staffing Updates

We are happy to share the news that Ann Ellis has accepted the Choir Accompanist position. She started accompanying the choir in January in an interim role and the fit has been so excellent that all involved sought to make this a permanent position. Ann is the choral director for Rustin High School and has been serving as accompanist for the Chester County Choral Society since 1995. We are delighted to have such an accomplished and experienced musician like Ann on staff.

We are also happy to share that Greg Ondo, who has served as the drummer at the 10:45 service since 2018, is moving into an expanded role. Greg will take on AV operations, leading our livestream, soundboard, and tech volunteer ministries. He has also been sharing his musical skills during the 9am services. Greg’s new role will be AV Coordinator and Percussionist. We are excited to work with him in this new position.

Family Picnic

First Pres families with kids (babies through high schoolers) are invited to gather for a potluck picnic at Barker Park on Friday, May 3^rd from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. A main dish will be provided, so please sign up on our website so we have an approximate number of attendees. You can also sign-up to bring a dish to share with the group. Direct any questions to Diane Damadio at Diane.damadio@gmail.com or 484-362-8033. Hope to see many of you there!

Also, save the date for our Summer Parents Pool Party on the evening of Friday, July 12th at Diane & Brett’s Damadio’s home. The rain date will be Sunday, July 14th. This will be a parent only event. Book a sitter and bring a swimsuit for some summertime fellowship.

First Pres Moms’ Group

Are you a momma raising kids from birth through high school? Then this is for you! Please join us for our Moms' Group on Sunday, May 5 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm in Room 209 at First Pres. Come with questions for some "experienced moms" who have survived the early trials of motherhood. Learn from our expert panel that everything you are going through is a phase and things really do get better. If you need childcare, please contact Mary Hambleton or Liz Single by this Friday. We hope to see you there! 

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 personal Spiritual Legacy documents that you can share with the young people in your life. We will meet at 11:45 on Sunday, May 19 in Fellowship Hall. Please sign up in advance; for those who would like to participate but are unable to attend in person we can make the questions available. For more information please contact Pastor Caroline.

Christian Nationalism Class - Save the Date

“Christian Nationalism” is a phrase many of us are hearing on the news lately but what does it really mean, both for our civic life and our Christian identity? Take some time to push past the headlines and join others from the First Pres community for a 2-week series on this important topic. The classes will take place on Sunday June 16 and June 23 from 11:45 am – 12:45 pm. More information to come and contact Sara Pantazes with any questions.

VBS Volunteer Sign-up

Vacation Bible School returns this summer for preschool and elementary aged kids to grow in God’s love and Christian community together. VBS will take place on Sunday mornings during the 9 am worship service. It will begin on Sunday, June 16 and conclude on Sunday, July 21. We need many adults to make this happen, especially including a few hands especially dedicated to our preschool friends. Adults can sign up to help for a single Sunday or several. Click the button below for more information and to sign-up to help. Contact Sara Pantazes with any questions.

Church Library Reminder 

The church's library, located next to the restrooms on the main floor, continues to enlarge its inventory, particularly in the Christian Life and Practice section (248.4). If you are looking for some reading to encourage your spiritual growth, come in any Sunday morning and see what is available! There are also a number of duplicate books that have been removed from the collection and are available for free to anyone in the basket in Fellowship Hall.

Thursday First Pres Prayers

This Month’s Prayer:

Holy One, in a season of warmth and new life, we thank you for all the ways you renew our church with your life-giving Spirit. This month we pray for our young people as they transition from the school year to the rhythm of summer. We give thanks for Sunday School teachers, children’s music directors, nursery workers, youth leaders, and all who serve your youngest disciples. Give them your strength, energy, imagination, and love as they complete this season of instruction and look forward to new learning. In your Son’s name we pray, Amen.



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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