“And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 We’ve just celebrated the 294th anniversary of Old First. Bob Schneider led us on a fascinating journey through the history of the image of the Bible emblazoned on the...
Read more
I don’t know about you, but I continue to marvel at how well Old First has kept our sense of community during the pandemic. We’ve proven that church is more than the building. But I’m still eager to get back into the building! The Sanctuary Enhancement &...
Read more
Day by day, more and more people across the country—including some in our congregation—receive their COVID-19 vaccinations. And day by day, a feeling of hope for the future returns. One of the things I am looking forward to the most is returning to in-person worship with all of you...
Read more
We are happy to report that we have now secured the first major parts of the financing for Old First House: $2.5 million capital grant from the Philadelphia’s Dept of Homeless Services and operating subsidies from the Philadelphia Housing Authority. These were prerequisites for...
Read more
At our recent congregational meeting, we voted to pursue a detailed plan to renovate our sanctuary, improving accessibility, adding modern functionality, and reducing energy use. It is a beautiful plan that is the first step in our preparations for the congregation’s 300th...
Read more
“Church is not the building.” Never before has that aphorism meant so much. At Old First we pride ourselves in the connections we have as a community. We know that we’re a congregation, not a building. But how can we be a congregation, when we can’t congregate?...
Read more During this time when we are isolated in our homes, we’re finding creative ways to be the church. Michael, Woody and the Worship SLG have done an amazing job developing an innovative virtual worship experience that connects us each Sunday. Based on that success, the elders are...
Read more
The Elders are encouraging everyone at Old First to attend one of the Lenten suppers taking places in homes all around the region! Not only will it be a time of fellowship and prayer, you will participate in a meaningful activity to help us craft a vision for the future of our...
Read more
Old First’s pastor emerita, Rev. Geneva Butz, preached for us this past Sunday, while Michael was away at a retreat in Virginia. The inspiration for her sermon was the large “Love First” sign proudly displayed between our front doors. Building on that motto, she...
Read more
Online privacy is in the news these days, so we thought it would be a good idea to review how we at Old First protect the congregation’s confidential information. Old First is a patchwork quilt of one-on-one relationships among individuals in the congregation. Our online member...
Read more