Old First Reformed United Church of Christ

The Vision Beautiful, Sermon 01.30.11

Posted January 31, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under Sermons.


Micah 6:1-8 and Matthew 5:1-12. 

Who is this Jesus? Who is he calling us to become? Where is he leading? What kind of life will we have if we follow? Twelve of us set out on a journey last Monday night. “Living the Questions” intends to help us understand and to claim the progressive stream [...]

WHYY’s Chris Satullo to Speak During Adult Forum

Posted January 30, 2011 by Suzanne Cole. Filed under Adult Forum, News.

On Sunday, February 6 at 10, our guest speaker during the adult form will be Chris Satullo, executive director of news and civic dialogue at WHYY, Philadelphia’s public broadcasting station. Perhaps you’ve heard his Center Square essays on a Monday morning on 91 FM. Or perhaps you’ve read his blog. Or perhaps you’ve read or [...]

Church School Grows (and needs more teachers)

Posted January 28, 2011 by Guest. Filed under Featured, News, Sunday School.

The Spirit is moving among the children of the Old First Church School.  We started the school year with four classes and a total of 37 students.  The students were split on a fairly even basis between high school, middle school, grades 3 to 6 and Pre-K to 2nd Grade. We started off the school [...]

Old First to Welcome New Wellspring Intern this Weekend, Jan. 29-30

Posted January 27, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under News, Saturday Cupboard, Shelter, Urban Service Camps, Wellspring.

The new Wellspring Intern, Billi Charron, will be arriving this Saturday, Jan. 29, weather permitting. Billi has been looking for a service opportunity in Philadelphia, and she is eager to jump in, roll up her sleeves, and do some great things in our community. We are really happy to have been able to find a [...]

The Decline of the Mainline and Evangelism?: E-pistle 01.27.11

Posted January 27, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under E-pistles.

One of you asked last week, “Do you think that the mainline’s disinclination to evangelize accounts for its numerical decline?”It’s an interesting, important question… and not easy to answer. I heard somewhere that ever since the Pilgrims stepped off the boat, the percentage of North Americans who are mainline Protestants has been dropping. Considering the [...]

Old First’s Calendar is Now Online!

Posted January 25, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under Featured, News.

We getting really high tech these days! Old First’s calendar of events is now available online. Click here or select Calendar from the News & Events menu. The calendar includes all worship services, Christian Education opportunities, fellowship events, Wellspring workcamps, shelter dinners and ministry team meetings. If you’d like to add a church event, please [...]

Worship for Jan. 30

Posted January 24, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under Events, Worship.

‘Why the Beatitudes are the Heart of our Christian Faith;’ Amos Matthew 5: 3-12 and Micah 6:1-8

We will also thank last year’s leaders and install our 2011 leadership, including ordaining two new Elders.

Worship will also be a bit more physical than usual, as it will include “Let’s Move…
Instant Recess activities” as Old First celebrates “Health and Human Services
Sunday with other UCC congregations across the country

Learn about P.O.W.E.R. on Jan. 30.

Posted January 21, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under Events, News, P.O.W.E.R..

The pastor has been introducing Old First to P.O.W.E.R., a new faith-based community organization that clergy across the city have been working to get started. Michael hopes P.O.W.E.R. will give Old First new ways to relate and work with other people of faith on social issues of concerns we share, especially for the most vulnerable [...]

When There’s Nothing Else to Do, Pray: Epistle 01.19.11

Posted January 19, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under E-pistles.

Our Christian faith and its practice of prayer offer empowering possibilities. Talking with God, being heard by God is a privilege, not a last resort. Even when we’re feeling we have faith only the size of a mustard seed, such access to God is hardly a dead end.

Start ‘Living the Questions’ this coming Monday, Jan. 24

Posted January 19, 2011 by Michael Caine. Filed under Christian Education, Events.

A new study opportunity, Living the Questions, begins on Monday, Jan. 24. The consecutive sessions will take place on every 4th Monday of the month. We will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner. The study will run from 6.45 to 8 p.m. Street parking will be available. The whole course is 22 sessions, broken into [...]