Children's Advent Activities
Dec
1
to Dec 21

Children's Advent Activities

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As part of the Advent season, our families with young children will have the opportunity to participate in some fun Christmas-inspired activities and service projects! Children ages 2-to-10 years old are invited to join us from 9:50-10:30 am in the back of Old Buttonwood Hall for our special Advent activities. Here are the activities we have planned in December:

  • December 1 - Advent Wreath Making and Christmas Tree Decorating

  • December 8 - Christmas Card Making

  • December 15 - Christmas Cookie Decorating

  • December 22 - Christmas Ornament Making
    Note: We will be handing out wrapped Christmas books to our kids this day. Please let us know if you cannot attend the Celebration service on 12/22 and we will mail them the books to you.

  • December 29 — No Sunday School this week

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Midweek Online Advent Bible Study
Dec
4
to Dec 18

Midweek Online Advent Bible Study

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A three-week Bible study will be offered on Wednesdays from 12:15-12:45 PM, on December 4, 11, and 18. This study will be held exclusively online, via zoom. It will be led by Rev. Laura Colee and Dr. Baron Mullis, and will focus on Advent texts. The study is intended to help fit Advent reflection into a busy holiday schedule, so we will start on time and end on time. Please register online to receive the zoom link. You may also register by calling the church office (215-567-0532).

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FPC Kids' Night
Dec
6
5:00 PM17:00

FPC Kids' Night

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FPC Kids Night is back! On Friday, December 6, from 5-8 PM, we are inviting kids to join us at First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia for pizza, snacks, crafts, games, and a movie. While your kids hang out with us, parents and guardians are able to have a night to themselves.

Here’s the info for the event:

  • The event is for children 2 years old and up.

  • There will be a maximum of 20 children at the event.

  • We will have 3-4 certified adults leading the event, including Pastor Laura.

  • This event is free for FPC members and regular attendees.

If you’re interested in having your child/children attend the Kids Night event, please register!

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Concerts@First: Advent and Christmas at the Sainte Chapelle and Thomaskirche
Dec
7
4:00 PM16:00

Concerts@First: Advent and Christmas at the Sainte Chapelle and Thomaskirche

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The Chancel Choir, Period Orchestra, led by Dr. Bálint Karosi

with
Kyle Leigh Carney, Soprano
Maren Montalbano, Alto
Matthew Newhouse, Tenor
Brian Chu, Baritone

Concerts@First presents a program of Advent and Christmas music from the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris and the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, featuring Bach’s quintessential Advent Cantata Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV 61 and the much less famous, but equally breathtaking Christmas cantata In Nativitatem by the French Baroque composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier. The concert will also feature hymns by Johann Schein and a Magnificat setting by Charpentier, all played on period instruments.

The concert will be followed by a reception in Old Buttonwood Hall. On-street parking is available with placard!

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Advent Class - Learning to Walk in the Dark
Dec
8
to Dec 22

Advent Class - Learning to Walk in the Dark

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A Sunday morning Advent program will be held from  December 8 - 22 @ 9:45 AM, in the Whitefield Room (on the basement level). In this three-week class, the Rev. Barbara Chaapel will lead us in discussing the book Learning to Walk in the Dark, by Episcopal priest and author Barbara Brown Taylor. The book will be available to participants who register for the class, although reading it is not required for participation. Please register here, or contact the  church office to register and reserve a copy of the book.

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Band of Boomers Christmas Party
Dec
14
4:30 PM16:30

Band of Boomers Christmas Party

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Join the Band of Boomers to celebrate the season! Diane and Jon Rogers have once again offered to host us at their home.

The main menu salutes Philly! Everything you love about a Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich (steak or chicken) will be served with a twist: as cosy casseroles (“WIT or WIT-OUT” fixings, of course). Please bring your favorite appetizer or dessert and choice of beverage.

Please RSVP!

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Monthly Theological Discussion Group
Dec
15
10:00 AM10:00

Monthly Theological Discussion Group

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Monthly discussions on Reformed theology are led by seminary intern Robbie Bendelius and Dr. Mullis. The series, which will be held at 10 AM in the MacColl Room, is open to all, including those new to the Reformed tradition and those seeking to deepen their theological understanding.

The December discussion is about The Person and Work of Jesus Christ, based on chapters 8 & 9 of Daniel Migliore’s Faith Seeking Understanding.

To receive a copy of the book, please register online or email the church office.

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T&T Book Club
Dec
15
12:30 PM12:30

T&T Book Club

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Our T&T Book Club will have its first meeting after 11 am worship on Sunday, December 15 in the MacColl Room. We’ll be discussing Rachel Held Evan’s book Inspired together. If you’d like to join us and are in need of copy of the book, please RSVP!

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Service for the Longest Night
Dec
18
7:00 PM19:00

Service for the Longest Night

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A Service of the Longest Night will be held in the church sanctuary.  This is a winter service of hope and healing that encourages those going through times of sorrow and grief during the holidays.  Inspired by the solstice, winter’s longest night, this service will have special music and liturgy while allowing you space “to be.”  We hope you will join us as we worship God during this special time.

On-street parking is available with placard.

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Women of Wit & Wisdom - Coffee with Matthew
Nov
19
10:00 AM10:00

Women of Wit & Wisdom - Coffee with Matthew

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Come to the MacColl Room to share coffee, tea, and conversation with Matthew, our new Minister for Congregational Care. The small setting will give us an opportunity to get better acquainted with Matthew and for him to get to know us better. I'm sure we'll also want to hear about how Matthew sees his role, and we'll be able to offer our insights as well. Goodies provided! Please RSVP!

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New Members' Class
Nov
10
12:30 PM12:30

New Members' Class

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First Church is holding a new members class on November 10.  Our membership class is an opportunity for you to learn more about our history and our values, how our past has shaped us and how we believe God is leading our church in the present.  You can attend for information only, and those who wish to join will be received into membership that day.  If you’re interested in attending, please contact Rev. Laura Colee.

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End-of-Life Series
Nov
10
to Nov 24

End-of-Life Series

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On Sundays in November, a series on end-of-life issues will address issues of stewardship during that season.

  • The November 10 session will focus on estate planning, with estate planning attorney Nego Pile.

  • The November 17 session will address end-of-life heath care decision-making and support for caregivers. This session will be led by Dr. Scott Halpern, the John M. Eisenberg Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology, and Medical Ethics and Health Policy, at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine.

  • The November 24 session will be led by Rev. Matthew Arlyck, our Minister for Congregational Care, and will focus on end-of-life spiritual connections.

Each session will be held at 12:30 p.m. in the MacColl Room. 

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Parish Choir
Nov
3
12:30 PM12:30

Parish Choir

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Anyone interested in singing in a parish choir, led by Music Director Bálint Karosi, is invited to the first session on November 3 following the 11 AM worship service, in the choir room.  This is an opportunity to sing and learn music on a regular basis with Dr. Karosi.  Experienced singers, and music enthusiasts are welcome to join.  If interested, feel free to speak with Bálint or email balint.karosi@fpcphila.org.

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Tech Evolution
Nov
3
12:30 PM12:30

Tech Evolution

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On November 3 at 12:30 PM in the MacColl Room, Jeff Jarvis will speak on the age of artificial intelligence, the internet, and what a printing press from 1450 can teach us about how these technologies will develop and shape our societies. Mr. Jarvis directs the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism and is the Leonard Tow Professor of Journalism Innovation at the CUNY Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.

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Twenties & Thirties Volunteer Event
Oct
26
11:30 AM11:30

Twenties & Thirties Volunteer Event

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Join us as a group of T&Ts volunteer with Books Through Bars on Saturday, October 26 at 11:30 AM.   We will be filling requests for reading materials for incarcerated individuals in PA and throughout the tri-state area.  If you’d like to join us, please RSPV to Laura Colee!

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Missions Fair
Oct
20
10:00 AM10:00

Missions Fair

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The Missions Committee is hosting a Missions Fair on October 20 in Old Buttonwood Hall. We have invited a number of mission partners to join us for the fellowship hour after both the 9 am and 11 am services. The congregation will have an opportunity to talk with some of our partners about their upcoming projects and ways that the church can get involved. Please join us to check it out!

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Oct
19
11:00 AM11:00

Memorial Service for Heather Boyd-Monk

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A memorial service for Heather Boyd-Monk will be held at First Church on Saturday, October 19 at 11 AM. There will be a reception immediately following with light refreshments.

Please note that on-street parking with placard is not available, but discounted parking at Metropolis (2107 Sansom Street) is available. See signs next to the office or in the narthex for directions of how to scan our personalized QR code to get the discounted rate.

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History of the Organ, Part 1
Oct
13
12:30 PM12:30

History of the Organ, Part 1

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Part 1 of a two-part series on the history of the organ, taught by Director of Music and organist, Dr. Bálint Karosi, will cover the development of the organ from the Roman Hydraulis through the golden age of tracker organs in the Baroque until the mid-19th century.

Part 1 will take place in the MacColl Room.

(Part 2 is scheduled for October 27 in the sanctuary, and will cover romantic and modern organs in the 19th and 20th centuries in Europe and the United States.)

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Twenties & Thirties Group - Parks on Tap
Sep
29
12:30 PM12:30

Twenties & Thirties Group - Parks on Tap

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On September 29th, T&Ts will visit the Parks on Tap pop-up at the Schuylkill Banks (2501 Walnut Street). We will meet in Old Buttonwood Hall after the 11 AM worship service and walk over to the event together. (In the case of rain, we’ll walk over to Human Robot’s Schuylkill Banks location.) If you’d like to join us, please RSVP!

Join the T&T Facebook Group or email Laura Colee to stay informed about upcoming events!

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Transmitting Faith & Values to Future Generations
Sep
29
9:45 AM09:45

Transmitting Faith & Values to Future Generations

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On Sunday, September 29, at 9:45 a.m. in the MacColl Room, Dr. Michael “Chip” Rotolo, a former seminary intern at First Church, will speak on religious parenting and the transmission of faith and values. Dr. Rotolo is a Research Associate at Pew Research Center in Washington, DC. This program grows out of his research examining the interplay of religion, morality, and politics in the United States, as well as his own experience in the Church and as a parent.

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Twenties & Thirties Prayer Labyrinth Trip
Sep
22
12:30 PM12:30

Twenties & Thirties Prayer Labyrinth Trip

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Join the T&Ts after worship on Sunday, September 22 as we travel to the prayer labyrinth at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church (727 Harvard Ave, Swarthmore, PA). Laura will guide us as we walk the labyrinth and experience this ancient Christian prayer practice together. Please RSVP if you’d like to join so we can coordinate rides!

Join the T&T Facebook Group or email Laura Colee to stay informed about upcoming events!

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Sunday School Resumes!
Sep
15
9:50 AM09:50

Sunday School Resumes!

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Beginning Sunday, September 15, we invite children ages 2-to-10 years old to join us for Sunday School after our Celebration! Service from 9:50-10:30 AM in Old Buttonwood Hall. We will be reading Bible stories, making crafts, and learning about how to share Christ’s love to the world. We will primarily be using curriculum from Godly Play, which explores stories from the Old and New Testament using play-based story-telling.

Parents are invited to fill out our 2024-2025 Sunday School Registration Form during the first few weeks of Children’s Sunday School so we can best care for your kids in class.

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Women of Wit & Wisdom September Lunch
Sep
11
12:00 PM12:00

Women of Wit & Wisdom September Lunch

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The Women of Wit & Wisdom (WWW) will gather together on Wednesday, September 11 at 12 noon at the church. A delicious lunch will be provided, and we’ll have a chance to catch up with each other. All women are welcome; bring a friend if you like! RSVP to Diane Rogers by Monday, September 9. 

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Welcome Back Brunch
Sep
8
10:00 AM10:00

Welcome Back Brunch

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Our Welcome Back brunch, hosted by the Deacons, will take place at 10 AM on September 8 in Old Buttonwood Hall. Stay after the 9 AM Celebration! service, or come before the 11 AM traditional service to celebrate the end of summer, meet new people, and renew old friendships. The Deacons will serve fried chicken and waffles as well as fruit salad. The invitation to this event is open to all—feel free to bring your neighbors and friends! The Deacons look forward to seeing you there.

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T&Ts Coffee & Quarter-life Crisis Conversation
Aug
25
11:30 AM11:30

T&Ts Coffee & Quarter-life Crisis Conversation

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T&Ts are invited invited to join us after 10 AM worship on Sunday, August 25, in the MacColl Room for coffee, pastries, and a consideration of what Biblical Wisdom Literature has to tell us about living a good life. Please RSVP to Laura Colee if you’d like to join! Childcare can be available upon request.

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POWER Interfaith Introductory Conversation
Aug
18
11:20 AM11:20

POWER Interfaith Introductory Conversation

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On Sunday, August 18, the congregation is invited to join Rev. Laura Colee for a conversation about the work of the interfaith community organizing effort in Philadelphia, POWER. We will meet in the MacColl Room after worship (around 11:20 AM) to discuss POWER's efforts around housing and development in the city. All are welcome. Snacks will be provided. Childcare is available upon request.

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Young Families Splash Pad & Popsicles Meet-up
Aug
11
11:30 AM11:30

Young Families Splash Pad & Popsicles Meet-up

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FPC Young Families are invited to meet up at the Sister Cities Park (210 N 18th St) splash pad after worship on Sunday, August 11, at 11:30 AM. We will provide popsicles and drinks for everyone. Please let Laura Colee know if you'd like to join!

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