Posted on 28 Nov 2011
Comment off
Rev. Nancy Reflects on the Advent Season
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” so the song tells us. I believe this to be true.
This is when people seem to care about others more than any other time of the year. We search for gifts to give that reflect our love and appreciation for the other. We even dig deep into our pockets to give financial offerings or food donations to help those we do not even know. Yes, it is a wonderful time of the year!
However, it is the MOST wonderful time of the year because of the birth that we celebrate this month.
All of the parties, written greetings, gift giving and even our donations are happening because a baby was born over 2,000 years ago and that birth changed the world. This is the time of year when we celebrate God’s great gift to the world and to each one of us - the gift of his son, Jesus Christ.
Read More
Posted on 14 Nov 2011
Comment off
Workshop This Saturday, Nov 19th. Open to all FPCG members!
As Thanksgiving is approaching and then the Christmas season, many of us are involved in planning. Planning takes time and takes effort, but unless we plan, our intentions may not be realized. It is for this reason that the Session has entered into a Strategic Planning process this spring.
Elders have met twice with a consultant who is guiding the Session, in examining our mission and discerning what ministry and mission we are being called to do in the next five to ten years. Teams of officers and church members are currently being assembled to set goals and strategies for several ministry areas of The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown.
Read More
Posted on 07 Nov 2011
Comment off
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. -Acts 1:8
September was “Invite a Friend to Church” month at FPCG. Invite a Friend Sunday was September 25, and the Presbyterian Church USA Philadelphia Presbytery designated that day Evangelism Sunday. FPCG handed out buttons and postcards along with a graphic showing where to find these friends to invite.
Now that September is over, let’s not sit back and say, “That’s done.” Spreading the good news needs to happen every day … but it can be difficult. We worry about what others will think of us if we “evangelize.” All of our friends are already church members. We are too busy with the hustle and hassle of life.
Read More
Posted on 01 Nov 2011
Comment off
By Jim Thompson
For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have abundance. Matthew 25:29
This verse is contained in the parable of the Five Talents which recently was part of our Scripture lesson. The story is familiar to most; basically it says that those who use their talents (resources) will be blessed with greater abundance while those who do not use what they have, will not.
This lesson continues to be a primary motivator for me, year after year, to support our church and its mission. When I was a relatively new member in the late 1970’s, the pastor preached a similar message – if you give of your talents you will both further God’s work AND you will also feel good about what you have supported.
Read More
Posted on 24 Oct 2011
Comment off
From Giving To Generosity
“I regret to inform you that we are faced with a severe crisis here at …..” “We can‘t provide these vital services without help from caring friends like you.”
How many letters of solicitation have you received this year with pleas like these? (I have gotten dozens of them). Here at The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown, we do, of course, ultimately calculate our annual budget in terms of nickels and dimes (think about that!), but as we begin our discussions of our financial needs and how we can respond, let‘s shift our thinking a few degrees from “giving” to “generosity.”
Read More
Page 2 of 18 pages < 1 2 3 4 > Last »
