East Falls Presbyterian Church

Alleluia! Christ is risen! . We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Easter this year than to hold our first ever hybrid service. About 50 of us gathered in McMichael Park (with masks and distancing), while others joined us on Zoom from all over the world! . Mark’s Gospel may have left us with a story that feels unfinished, but the One who will finish the story is the One who raised Jesus from the dead.

CN: state violence On this Good Friday, when we remember Jesus’ crucifixion at the hands of the Roman Empire, these photos (included in our Tenebrae service alongside the reading of Matthew 26:30-27:66) ask us to consider where the story of Jesus’ crucifixion still echoes in our world today.

A call to prayer and presence from the Presbytery of Philadelphia. So on this day, as we continue our journey to the foot of the cross, we ask your prayers for our siblings of Asian American and Asian descent throughout the nation. We especially ask your prayers for the congregations and leaders within our presbytery that they might feel God’s grace through this particular season. May each of us find a way to embody these prayers in real and concrete ways.

We did some testing for outdoor/Zoom hybrid worship on Easter! We are excited!!

Another Saturday, another round of deliveries! This time gifts and supplies for Zoom elder training

Here is a prayer for all ages marking one year of pandemic.

Ministry during a pandemic looks like... On Sunday, we ordained 5 new deacons and elders and installed 2 previously ordained officers! We are so grateful for these 7 leaders who have said Yes! to serving God, our church family, and community even in the midst of a pandemic. Prior to covid, we would have laid hands on them during the prayer of ordination, but since we couldn’t do that safely this year, Pastor Kari delivered prayer shawls to those being ordained and installed so that they could feel themselves wrapped in our love and prayers as they begin this ministry.

Worshipping with the Presbytery of Philadelphia with Rear Admiral Rev. Margaret Grun Kibben, Chaplain, U.S. House of Representatives preaching @presby_phl

We are a multigenerational community of faith in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Worship is at 10:30am Sunday. Childcare is available for the youngest infants-age 3. Children 4 & up begin worship in the sanctuary and, after the children’s lesson, continue their worship in the Sunday school rooms with caring teachers.... **COVID-19 UPDATE** For the time being, as a way to love our neighbors, we are practicing social distancing and meeting online-only. We hope you will join us for worship on Zoom. Contact the church office or follow/message us here for details.

What the pulpit looks like this morning.

Today is the First Sunday of Advent when we light the candle of Hope.

Today we’re thankful for a clear day to be outside to assemble Advent-at-home bags that are being delivered/shipped to our members & friends.

"Jesus did not choose to enter into a perfectly-caffeinated, awake, alert, ready-for-a-savior world. Jesus entered into our weary, bleary-eyed, tired-of-the-babel-sounds, desperate-for-a-savior world. ... To all you who are tired, take heart. You will not be tired forever. Even now, in whatever your present weariness, you are yet blessed by the God who comes near to walk all of your weary roads alongside you."

In case you need a smile today (Christ the King Sunday)...

Today's Lunchtime Devotional from our Seminary Intern, Beth Putney: Before the polls closed on Tuesday, I was determined to just go about my day. Wake up, drink my coffee, go to class (online), and translate some Greek. Simple. But all throughout class, I began to feel a foreboding anxiety that became more overwhelming by the minute. By the end of class at 4pm, I didn’t know if I would have it in me to do my translation for my course on Luke’s Gospel. After some procrastinati...Continue reading