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...
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Since Michael is away at a retreat this week, we decided to re-post an older article that he wrote from November 17, 2017. Enjoy! ************** I have been doggedly catching up with folks lately, particularly the new faces who have arrived over the summer while I was away as well as...
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Dear Friends: Another month has gone by and I’ll be coming to Old First on Sunday, May 19th to add organ to the music ministry. The postlude I’ve selected is called: “Tollite Hostias”- “Praise Ye the Lord of Hosts”, by Camille Saint-Saens...
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I was away in Lancaster at the Clergy Convocation this week, the annual Gathering of colleagues from our own Pennsylvania Southeast Conference and the neighboring Pennsylvania Northeast Conference. Our topic was “Breaking the Silence: Mental Illness, Family and Church.” Our...
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The plane just landed in St. Louis, and I switched on my phone. The first thing I saw was an announcement by Hans Holynagel that he was returning to the national staff of the UCC as Digital Content Specialist. Hans had worked for the national setting of the church in various capacities...
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The Congregational Life SLG has begun discussing the church’s use of disposable paper/plastic products on Sunday mornings. As many churches and organizations work to reduce or eliminate the use of disposable products, Congregational Life would also like to begin this discussion...
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It was nice to see so many people in church on Easter. Really nice. Easter crowds make me wish we were working with that many people each Sunday. Before I go any farther, let me offer a bit of clarification. Or some refocusing. Just as you don’t join a church primarily to get...
Read more Hello friends at Old First! Yes, it’s been a while since I was at the organ at church, but that time will come again this Sunday, April 21st – Easter Sunday. In honor of this joyous day, I’ll be playing a “Trumpet Voluntary,” originally written by Henry Purcell (ca...
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I was visited this week by two leaders from the American Bible Society. The ABS, known most commonly these days for the “Good News translation” of the Bible, relocated to the neighborhood in 2015; they transplanted to Philly from NYC, they explain, “choosing to reclaim the city of...
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The vote at the congregational meeting affirming the Joint Venture Ministry Team (JVMT) and the design direction for the new building was unanimous. It is a sign of strong support as we move ahead in a complicated project of many different, interconnecting steps. The JVMT will continue...
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