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.

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.

Join us for our regular brunch outing on Sunday, October 27 after the 11 AM service! We’ll be heading to Goldie on Sansom Street for falafel and delicious vegan milkshakes. Please RSVP to Laura if you’d like to join so we can make a reservation!

Part two of our series on the history of the organ, taught by Director of Music and organist, Dr. Bálint Karosi, will cover romantic and modern organs in the 19th and 20th centuries in Europe and the United States.

Part 2 will take place in the sanctuary.

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!

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!

It’s been a while since we gathered!  Connect with the fpcQ, our LGBTQIA+ fellowship group, for food & fun at Dave’s house on Friday, October 18, 6:30 - 10 PM!  Please RSVP to Dave Huting.

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.)

Bring your pets (leashed or in a carrier) for Blessing of the Animals at our Celebration! service on Sunday, October 13 at 9 AM in the sanctuary. If you can’t bring your pet, bring a photo of your pet to be blessed.

Our Gen Xers will be gathering after 11 AM worship on Sunday, October 6 at Jane G’s (1930 Chestnut Street) for dim sum! If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP to Laura Colee.

T&Ts will venture out to Linvilla Orchards to explore their apple picking, corn maze, pumpkin market, and more. We will meet in Old Buttonwood Hall after the 11 AM service and carpool over together. If you’d like to join us, please RSVP!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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!

T&Ts will be gathering at Sydney Cardy’s place for a cozy night of board games on Friday, August 9, starting at 6 PM. If you love a board game or simply love company, we’d love to have you join us. Please RSVP to Laura Colee if you’d like to join! 

T&Ts will be heading to Baron and Lester's house in Chestnut Hill for a BYOB Cookout on Saturday, July 20 at noon.  Contact Laura to let us know if you plan to come and if you need a ride!

On Sunday, July 7, at 10 AM we will combine Celebration! and Traditional worship in a single service in the sanctuary to sing God’s praises together.  Hymn requests from our blue hymnal will be taken at the service.

After the service the Deacons will host an ice cream sundae social in Old Buttonwood Hall.  Please join us!

First Church is heading to an evening Phillies Game on Thursday, June 27 (6:20 pm) and staying for the fireworks show after the game. FPC will cover $20 of each ticket, so individuals will be responsible for about $20 of the remaining price per seat. Tickets have been purchased and we have limited availability! Please contact Laura Colee if you’d like to join!