New Members Class Scheduled for Sunday, October 8 – Are you interested in joining our congregation? Please prayerfully consider your participation in the life of Christ’s church and God’s call upon your life. The Membership & Evangelism Committee will be offering a New Members Class on Sunday, October 8 at 11:15 a.m. in the PW Lounge. Those who wish to join the church will be received into membership during the worship service on Sunday, October 15. If you are interested, or if you have questions, please contact Dr. Ankrum at the church office.
The FPC sanctuary tours that are held each October have been a resounding success. Join us at the chancel steps after morning worship on Sunday, October 1 - CANCELLED - CHECK BACK FOR NEW DATE. This year, architectural historian David McMunn will lead a tour of our chapel’s stained glass windows, explaining the significance and meaning behind their installation and overall style. Built between 1966-1968 from designs of the well-known local architect Paul Bartholomew, our church's Memorial Chapel stands as a testament to our continued faith heritage and to sound construction in our era. The windows were installed in 1968.
The Cornerstone Group invites you to join them … We will be dining at Jaffre’s in Greensburg on October 14, at 6:00 p.m. Because of the parking restraints, we would like to get as many people as possible to carpool. If you would be willing to meet at the church and take someone with you, please let Sandy know. Please sign up before October 10 by calling Sandy Beauregard (724-834-2247 or 724-331-3457) or emailing her (sandbeau1@verizon.net) to reserve your spot. The Gathering – Tuesday, October 10: 12:45 P.M. - 2:15 P.M., The Boulevard Restaurant (Please note the different meeting time for this month only) On the second Tuesday of each month, we reserve space at The Boulevard, a local restaurant and invite those who are available to join us for lunch, conversation and a bit of education. We’ll hear from folks that you already know and folks that you haven’t yet met. The topics will be informative and helpful to our faith and some will be just fun and allow us to learn a bit more about each other. In the spirit of gathering, our Minister of Music, Jeff Jones will be speaking at this month's event on the topic: "Shall We Gather at The River?" Without divulging too much information on the topic--suffice it to say--Jeff will immerse us in a conversation about the deep well that is the church's song while encouraging us to drink deeply from the springs of living water that feed both our souls and our song. Contact the church office by noon Monday, October 9, to reserve your space. Please enter the restaurant through the take-out area on the side of the building.
Special Sunday Afternoon Concert; Ed Highberger & Friends Sunday, October 29, 3 p.m.; First Presbyterian Sanctuary Please join us in the sanctuary on Sunday, October 29 at 3 P.M. for a free concert presented by our Minister of Music, Emeritus, Ed Highberger and friends. Ed will join forces with Marc Toure, baritone; Gloria Christofano, mezzo soprano and flutist; and Sarah Ferrell, cellist. This free program will include works by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Tom Trenney, Dan Forrest, Alec Rowley, and Andrew Carter.
Join Director Dr. Thomas Octave and the Westmoreland Choral Society, accompanied by Nancy Finke Sheehan for a concert entitled 'Love'. William Payn is the composer of a new work entitled 'Love'. William (Bill) has been the Music Director and Conductor of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale for over twenty years. The world premiere of 'Love' was performed in October of 2022 by the Susquehanna Valley Chorale. This work highlights lyrics from poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Collin Berry, Naomi Shihab Nye, Virginia Smith, Langston Hughes, E.E. Cummings, Rick Kearns, Rabindranath Tagore and William Payn. This work will be performed across the country by university choirs, professional choral groups and community choirs who all sponsored the commission. Saturday, October 7, 2023 @ 7:30 pm; First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Tickets: $15 for Adults; $10 for Seniors, $5 for Students. Payable at the door with cash, check or credit.
Commitment Sunday, November 5! – Chili-After-Church Returns! - The Stewardship Committee cordially invites one and all to participate in our coming Commitment Sunday on November 5. On this Sunday, the congregation will be asked to prayerfully consider their support for the ministries of our church and enjoy the food, fellowship and fun of our Chili-After-Church event in the Fletcher Room. In order to make this happen, we’re counting on the delicious contributions of some of the great cooks of our congregation. If you are able to provide chili, cornbread or dessert for the event, please let us know! There are two ways to sign up: (1) Visit our table during coffee hour all through October or (2) call the church office.
Sunday School Classes Resume September 24 @ 9:00 a.m. each week Tweens/Teens: Feasting on the Word – NEW for 2023/24 – Feasting on the Word invites learners into the rhythm of the church by studying passages from the Revised Common Lectionary. Connect Bible study with worship as you study the Scripture in age and stage gatherings and hear it preached in worship. Teens meet in the 1st Floor Youth Room. Children: Spark Rotation – Build biblical literacy by diving deep into Bible stories in a workshop-style setting. Each story will be presented for 2 or 3 weeks utilizing Art, Games, Cooking, Drama, Science, Music, Digital Media and Technology, or Video. Children will generally meet in the 1st floor art room. However, some activities may be in the 3rd floor music room, Fletcher Room, or Kitchen. Check the schedule posted on the 1st floor bulletin board for more information.
Adult Forum on Sunday Morning on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. in the PW Lounge on the first floor of the CE Wing. This year we are reading and discussing a wonderful book written by the late Rev. Peter Gomes: The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart. Gomes unpacks the scriptures for his reader, covering how the Bible is often misunderstood by Christians and others alike. The book helps to open up our hearts and minds to the profound words of scripture that gives us comfort and challenges our faith as well. Books are available from Dr. Ankrum who leads the class.
Men’s Breakfast Bible Study - Every Wednesday Morning at 7:30 a.m.: This Bible study has many wonderful ingredients: warm fellowship, good friendships, open discussions, great breakfasts AND the opportunity to grow in faith together. We gather every Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. at Eat n’ Park across from Westmoreland Mall. We are currently studying the book of Revelation.
Help Wanted … We are currently looking for a part-time evening custodian performing custodial duties and building security on some weekday evenings and Sunday mornings. If you know someone who would be a good match for us, please call the church office or see Dr. Ankrum.