To pledge online, please go to our online pledge card. November 19, 2018 Dear Fellow Old Firster, As a father, I spend a lot of time reading children’s books, teaching lessons about right and wrong, and showing Chelsea the importance of helping and being kind to others. Of all the...
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Instead of late night parties and too much alcohol, there’s the other new years, the one that’s much quieter. It’s hardly noticed and even less celebrated. No ball is dropped. No party hats or noise makers. No toasts. Crowds don’t gather. In place of Mummers, their curious parade and a...
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Old First United Church of Christ has used the live-animal creche for over 40 years to bring the Christmas story home to 4th and Race and alive for neighbors near and far. Last year, with the escape of Stormy the cow, our telling of the holy story got overwhelmed or lost in the...
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Sometimes I ask myself if church is worth it! I mean, it takes a lot of effort to keep a local church community together, and there are a lot of resources caught up in this local institution. There can also be a fair amount of frustration. And some disappointment. On doubting days, I...
Read more Our theme for the Campaign for next year’s stewardship pledges is The Giving Tree. It actually references to a series of spiritual activities we will do in worship in the next few weeks to highlight and focus our thanksgiving on the gifts we have to share. But can any of us...
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As well as preaching at Ogle Presbyterian Church on this coming Reformation Sunday, I have another assignment while I am in Guyana. I am at the Caribbean and North American Area Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (interestingly, the largest association of Protestant...
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POWER Get Out the Vote Campaign Our congregation is a participating member of POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness Empower and Rebuild), an interfaith organization focused on advocating for building communities of opportunity that work for all. In this election season, getting...
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On Anniversary Sunday, Michael finished his sermon by inviting the congregation, in lieu of Passing the Peace, to have the last word — as they engaged in a celebratory game of “Church Anniversary Human Bingo.” The object of the game was to try to find a different...
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Picking Pencils, or Pinpointing People to Do the Job?: Old First E-pistle 09.28.18 I used to stop into choir practice quite often; I am not sure why I don’t anymore? It’s a great time to visit a catch up with people, sort of a second weekly, small group fellowship hour. And, about 7 on...
Read moreFor pastors, it’s not that unusual to be given books, articles, printed materials, either from someone you know or anonymously. Sometimes, it’s literature that the givers assume — from what they know about you — will be of interest to you. For example, for Christmas a...
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