A great time was had by all last Sunday as we celebrated our third annual First Pres Christmas Festival!
Here are a few photos from the day (check back often as we will be uploading new photos throughout the week)
Join a 365 Prayer Challenge and lift up First Pres
By Contina Lundy
We come from a rich history of believers, and we are still going strong. Join me for the next 365 days, starting December 1st to lift up the name of First Church. We will cover the building, the staff, the members, friends and our budget in prayer.
But first, a little background. Sometime ago I joined First Church, I won’t share the date because doing that will share my age! Anyway, I remember sharing my statement of faith and how important my prayer life was to me. Prayer was something that I didn’t ever question because of the strong foundation my parents, Mary and Frank Lundy, set for me. I understood at a young age that when you pray and believe God for who He is, great and wonderful things can occur.
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.
It’s Harvest Time!
By Deborah Thompson
October is one of the most beautiful months of the year. Days are getting cooler, and nights are growing longer. School is in full swing. Leaves are turning glorious hues of yellow, red, orange and brown. It is also harvest time in many parts of the country. Gone are the summer fruits—juicy peaches, luscious plums and sugary melons; now it is time for grapes, apples, pears and pumpkins.
In this month‘s Book Spot, the focus of the books listed is on some of the foods and sights of autumn and harvest time.
Happy Reading!
Where do you fit at FPCG?
Many schools now teach students the value of giving back by requiring them to spend so many hours in community service.
What a wonderful concept! It teaches not simply the importance of giving or sharing of oneself but also of volunteering. Unfortunately too many young people and adults are focused on satisfying their own needs. They guard their time and their resources for things that will bring them pleasure or satisfaction.
Imagine what our communities would be like if more people were willing to give of themselves, sharing their skills and gifts.
Even more, imagine what our church would be like if more of our members, like YOU, would give of yourselves, sharing your skills and gifts.