The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown

GHS 1st Day of School Prayer Vigil

Posted on 05 Sep 2011 Comment off

We invite you to participate in Germantown Clergy Initiative’s (GCI) Germantown High School Annual First Day of School Prayer Vigil

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
7:00 – 8:00 A.M.
On the lawn of Germantown High School (GERMANTOWN AVE. AND HIGH STREET)

Join us as we pray together for:
- Students, parents, teachers and administrators.
- Peace and safety
- The District and SRC
- Funding
- The programs of GCI and other community partners
- Greater church and community involvement

Please contact Reverend Kevin Porter for more information at 215- 518-1675

From the Pastor

Posted on 29 Aug 2011 Comment off

Thoughts on Grief, Remembering, and Celebrating New Life

Dear Friends,

It has been a long, difficult and yet rewarding journey for me the last several months. Thank you for your patience and your support.

In April my father was suddenly hospitalized. He had pulled a muscle in reaching for some-thing and then was in so much pain he could not do anything but stay in bed. He was not able to prepare food and so did not eat which set his diabetes into a flurry. Because he lived in a retirement community someone came and checked on him and found him on the floor by his bed. He was immediately transported to the hospital, never to return to his apartment. After a week’s stay in the hospital, Dad was transferred to a nursing facility associated with his retirement community.

He spent 99 days there with his health continuing to deteriorate. His mind was quite sharp up until his last few days. Dad died on July 19, exactly seven weeks before his 93rd birthday.

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Resurrection and Life

Posted on 22 Aug 2011 Comment off

Excerpt from Rev. Nancy’s August 21st Sermon

Without a doubt the last few months have been a difficult time for me, being with my father as his health took a sudden and rapid decline, and then as he died last month.  This time with my father was not so much about death...but was more about life.

We shared many thoughts and stories during our time together.  He told me of things he and my Mom did, things I had never heard. He told me about his life growing up and in the army.  We talked about when I was a child and shared family tales as we smiled together. 

We shared our love for one another and most of all we shared our faith together… a faith that is grounded in the words of Christ… the same words our Lord spoke to Martha in the story Chris read for us:  “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” And then Jesus asked Martha as he asks each of us, “Do you believe this?”

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What Are We Called To Do?

Posted on 17 Aug 2011 Comment off

Then the LORD answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.
- Habakkuk 2:2

This spring, the Session met with a consultant to renew our church mission/ vision statement and set a strategic plan for our immediate future as The First Presbyterian Church in German-town. Elders worked together Friday night and Saturday morning and began sharing their dreams for our church.

As we look ahead, together with members of our many church committees and others, elders will be setting goals and objectives for the next 1-5 years. This can be an exciting time but one of anxiety as well as there will probably be changes in how we do ministry and mission.

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CGI Elects New Executives

Posted on 11 Jul 2011 . 12 comments

At their annual meeting on June 11, the Board of Directors of Creative Germantown Initiative (CGI) elected new executive officers. Brian Harris, immediate past vice president, was elected president. Ted Walkenhorst, immediate past president, was elected to vice president. Peter Smith was reelected treasurer. Each position carries a term of two years. The board is excited about these changes and looks forward to the continued dedicated service of these individuals and to the growth of the organization which helps carry out the mission of First Church.

The board wishes to express its deepest thanks to Ted Walkenhorst for his service over the last 3 years. He has been committed to the organization and has guided its direction with passion. Birthing a nonprofit is always a challenge and becomes a labor of love. Ted loves this organization; his past leadership combined with his willingness to continue to serve should be an example to all people of Christ-like passion and service.

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