Because I work in the church, I am hyper-aware of the changes people fear and hate. For example: ~ updating the words to traditional hymns (I hear this every Christmas!) ~ not having the animals at the Creche. ~ doing communion differently, particularly on Easter (even different in...
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The 2019 Pennsylvania Southeastern Conference Fall Meeting is on Sunday, November 17, from 2:30-5:30pm. It is being held at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. Anyone is welcome to attend, so if you would like to be there as part of Old First’s group, please contact the church...
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As you will hear me say in the sermon on Sunday, I don’t think a day to remember the negative spirits is a bad thing, or in any way dangerous. In fact, I think it is realistic. Of course, I am reacting to churches that fear that childhood’s practice of Halloween is somehow the...
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The Elders met on October 11 and here are the highlights of our discussion. 1. Financials Pledging is catching up and we are hopeful it will continue so that we will meet pledges budgeted by the end of the year, thus closing a portion of the gap between income and expenses. ...
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I have been thinking a lot about the span of our lives. Not fretting or regretting. But considering… Sort of wondering at the mystery and the uncertainty of it all. We are born and in time, die. And even though we may not know the number, there will end up to be an exact number...
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The Outreach SLG has selected the opening night meal for the shelter. We will have meatloaf (beef and turkey) served with mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, butter, and vegetables (green beans, casseroles, etc), as well as tea and dessert. If you would like to volunteer, no need to RSVP...
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The New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir is a musical group from East Harlem, NYC. It was founded by James Backmon, the musical director at Michael’s first congregation, The Church of the Living Hope. It is no longer at Living Hope and has grown in scope and style over the years. But...
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Please get together a family team, a group of friends or co-workers, or a meet up group and give this ministry a try. Serving our homeless and poor neighbors is a labor of love and can be a fun social experience for the volunteers involved. The group should bring all items needed to...
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Michael has been wary — maybe too wary — of how the neighborhood would react to our plans to build housing for people who have been homeless for a long time. It’s not like neighborhoods can’t act badly when they learn a social service programs are going to be located in...
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The shelter will open on Friday, Nov 1st. In coordination with our shelter partner, Bethesda Project, we are collecting new, unused items for the men who will be residing in our Social Hall. The needed items are: New, unwashed twin sheets Thin blankets that are easy to wash Toiletries...
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