From July 6 through September 21, there is a single combined Celebration! and Traditional worship service at 10 AM.
For the five Sundays in August, the service will be held in air-conditioned Old Buttonwood Hall; enter through the 21st Street doors.
The service is available via livestream.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Church on Saturday, September 20, beginning at noon.
Please join us on Sunday for the last summer worship service at 10 AM in the sanctuary. We will celebrate the return of Dr. Mullis from his sabbatical with a champagne brunch following the service.
The 9:00 AM Celebration! service and the 11:00 AM Traditional Worship service will resume on September 28.
A funeral service to celebrate the life of Dr. Grant will be held in the sanctuary on Friday, September 26, at 11 AM with viewing beginning at 10 AM in Old Buttonwood Hall.
Every Sunday, we invite children ages 2-to-12 years old to join us for Children’s Sunday School after our Celebration Service from 9:50-10:30 am in Old Buttonwood Hall. We will be telling Bible stories, making crafts, and learning about how to share Christ’s love to the world. We will primarily be using curriculum from Godly Play, which explores stories from the Old and New Testament using play-based story-telling.
We invite parents to fill out our 2025-2026 Sunday School Registration Form during the first few weeks of Children’s Sunday School so we can best care for your kids in class.
Here are the stories we’ll be exploring our first few weeks together:
September 28 - The Church Calendar and God’s Time Lesson
October 5 - World Communion Sunday Lesson
October 12 - Creation Lesson/Animals Blessing Lesson
October 19 - The Tower of Babel Lesson
October 26 - The Great Family
Join us as our First Pres T&Ts meet with the First Unitarian T&Ts for their monthly brunch. Our T&Ts will gather in Old Buttonwood after our 11 AM service and walk over together to First Unitarian at 22nd & Chestnut. We’ll bring sandwich trays, chips, and drinks for the gathering. You’re welcome to bring other goodies to share as well! If you’d like to join us, please RSVP to Laura, so know to look out for you.
Pandora’s Box (1929)
In honor of annual Silent Movie Day on September 29th, the Philadelphia Film Society presents one of the greatest achievements of the silent film era from the renowned German cinema master G. W. Pabst. The surprisingly modern epic follows the exploits of an alluring young woman and her intoxicating beauty that draws a string of lovers into her orbit, leading to a tragic chain of betrayal, obsessions, and self-destruction.
FPC pricing is $3.00 pp. RSVP to boomers@fpcphila.org
Parents of young children are invited to join us for a new series of monthly programs to be held at 10 AM, immediately following the Celebration Service, while the children are at Sunday School or in the nursery.
We hope to provide a space for parents to have informal but meaningful dialogue on a broad range of topics related to parenting in the modern Christian faith, and that the series will foster deeper connection and community among the FPC young families.
On October 5, our topic is "Pragmatic ways to incorporate faith into your family life." Please join us in the MacColl Room.
Join us October 5 at 5 PM when First Church hosts Night Church with the Christian Association at Penn. Night Church is a worship service centered around music, Scripture, and quiet reflection, based on the Taize community in France. Their music is simple and easy to learn, but very meaningful. After the service, those who can stay are welcome to join for a simple supper of soup and bread.
Bring your pets (leashed or in a carrier) for Blessing of the Animals at our Celebration! service on Sunday, October 13 at 9 AM in the sanctuary. If you can’t bring your pet, bring a photo of your pet to be blessed.
Please join the Women of Wit & Wisdom for a welcome back lunch on Wednesday, September 17 at noon in the MacColl Room. Lunch and beverages will be provided; you bring the conversation! RSVP at womenwitwisdom@fpcphila.org by Tuesday September 16 or speak to Diane at coffee hour. Bring a friend if you like!
Join us for a Sunday afternoon kayak tour of the Schuylkill River! We will meet at the Walnut Street docks off the Schuylkill Banks and venture out for a 90 minute tour. We currently have 8 tickets reserved—if you'd like one of them, please let us know at youngadults@fpcphila.org.
Join us on Sunday, September 14, for a special Sunday School session designed to help families navigate grief and loss. Children (ages 2-12) will gather with Rev. Laura Colee in the basement Sunday School rooms to read a children's story about loss and then create art projects together. Parents will meet in the MacColl Room with school psychologist, Heather Van Stolk, and our Minister for Congregational Care, Rev. Matthew Arlyck, to learn practical tools for discussing death and grief with children. All are welcome—please let Laura know if you are interested in attending so we know how many to expect.
The Woodlands: Guided Tour
A National Historic Landmark and Philadelphia treasure, The Woodlands is home to the Hamilton mansion and is also notable for its cemetery and beautiful landscape. The guided tour is approximately 1½ hours. FPC pricing is $10.00 pp.
RSVP to boomers@fpcphila.org no later than Thursday, September 4!
As the last of the Adult CE series on “rest,” Laura Cohen Romano, retired Director of Spiritual Care and Mindfulness for the Einstein Healthcare Network, will facilitate a one-time session called "Mindfulness Matters." This session is for you if: you find yourself reacting too quickly to a loved one or co-worker; you sometimes lie awake mind-racing at 3 AM; you struggle with physical conditions; and/or you have a sense that some of life's peaceful or joyful moments pass you by simply because your mind is elsewhere. Come hear some helpful information and mindfulness myth-busting, participate in a couple types of guided practices, have the chance to ask questions, and likely even join in some laughter. Join us!
Our Casserole extravaganza was such a success that we’re doing it again! On Sunday, August 31, we need 15-20 volunteers to help make 30-40 casseroles for our mission partner, University City Hospitality Coalition (UCHC). We’ll set up after worship and fellowship (11:45 AM) in Old Buttonwood Hall. Please contact Laura Colee to volunteer.
The Deacons invite everyone to an ice cream social in Old Buttonwood Hall immediately following the 10 AM worship service. Please join us!
Join us for a fpcQ-sponsored Drag Brunch after worship at FABRIKA (1108 Frankford Ave). Our group will be seated at noon and the show will start at 1 PM. Everyone (ages 21+) is welcome! To reserve your seat, please email Laura Colee.
On Sunday, August 10, we need 15-20 volunteers to help make 30-40 casseroles for our mission partner, University City Hospitality Coalition (UCHC). We’ll set up after worship and fellowship (11:45 AM) in Old Buttonwood Hall. Please contact Laura Colee to volunteer.
Join our regular brunch outing on Sunday, August 3, after the 10:00 AM service. We’ll be going to Hart of Catering & Cafe on 21st and Sansom. Please RSVP to Laura if you’d like to join so we can make a reservation!
Everyone is invited to meet up at the Sister Cities Park (210 N 18th St) splash pad after worship on Sunday, July 27, at 11:45 AM. We will provide popsicles and drinks for everyone. Please let Laura Colee know if you'd like to join!
All Gen Xers (born between 1965-1980ish) are invited to join us for our July FPC Gen X Brunch! The group will be heading to Pub & Kitchen (1946 Lombard) after 10 AM worship. If you’re interested in joining, please RSVP to Laura Colee.
Join our regular brunch outing on Sunday, July 13, after the 10:00 AM service. We’ll be going to Wilder at 2009 Sansom Street this month. Please RSVP to Laura if you’d like to join so we can make a reservation!
On July 6, join us for our Hymn Sing service at 10 AM as we sing God’s praises together! Hymns requests will be taken from our blue hymnal.
T&Ts will visit the Parks on Tap pop-up at the Schuylkill Banks (2501 Walnut Street) for a happy hour outing. Plan to meet directly at the pop-up location after work/school. If you’d like to join us, please let us know so we can look out for you!
The Hungarian Trumpet and Organ Duo of Samodai Bence János & Áron Dóbisz Duo will perform a mini-concert after the 11 AM worship service in the sanctuary. The repertoire will include contemporary Hungarian pieces and more. All are welcome!
As a follow-up to The Good Soil Tour event on June 22, the Rev. Laura Colee will lead a second session on Jeff Chu’s book The Good Soil; all should feel free to attend regardless of whether you attended the June 22 conversation.
Join us on Sunday, June 29, from 10-10:45 AM for a special Sunday School session designed to help families navigate grief and loss. Children (ages 2-12) will gather with Rev. Laura Colee in the basement Sunday School rooms to read a children's story about loss and then create art projects together. Parents will meet in the MacColl Room with school psychologist, Heather Van Stolk, and clinical researcher, Jordana Woodford, to learn practical tools for discussing death and grief with children. All are welcome—please let Laura know if you are interested in attending so we know how many to expect.
The Missions Committee is hosting a Missions Fair on June 29 in Old Buttonwood Hall. We have invited a number of mission partners to join us for the fellowship hour after both the 9 and 11 AM services. The congregation will have an opportunity to talk with some of our partners about their upcoming projects and ways that the church can get involved. Please join us to check it out!
Jeff Chu, an award-winning journalist, author of Does Jesus Really Love Me?, and co-author with the late Rachel Held Evans of the New York Times bestseller Wholehearted Faith—and ordained minister who will be guest preaching at First Church on this Sunday—will read from and lead a candid conversation about his new book, The Good Soil. He will explore lessons he learned as a farmhand at Princeton’s Farminary and discuss themes of belonging, family, grief, and love.
This program is part of Jeff Chu’s national book tour. Free copies of the book are available through the church office ahead of the program; the book will also be available for sale at the event. The event is free, but registration is required!
Join us for some minigolf at Puttshack (1625 Chestnut Street)! See how well you can compete against other T&Ts at Puttshack’s tech-infused course. If you’d like to join us, please RSVP so we can include you in the reservation!
Join us on a family-friendly outing to the Farminary, in Princeton NJ, on Saturday, June 7, from 10 AM to 2 PM (lunch will be provided), to engage directly with God's good creation (get our hands dirty!) while learning about the farm and what tending the soil can teach us.
The Farminary at Princeton Seminary works to "challenge society’s 24/7 culture of productivity by following a different rhythm, one that is governed by the seasons and Sabbath."
Join us for a special screening of the classic Western, One Eyed Jacks (1961), Marlon Brando’s sole directing effort, at Philadelphia Film Society East in Old City (125 S. 2nd Street). Special FPC ticket pricing is $6.
Please RSVP by Sunday, June 1!
More information at filmadelphia.org/movies/one-eyed-jacks/
Concerts at First Presents
Season Preview Concert
Sunday, June 1 at 4:00 pm
Bálint Karosi, harpsichord & organ
Noémi Sallai, Clarinet
“Rosie” 1783 Historic Historic Organ
Join Bálint Karosi on the antique organ and harpsichord and Noémi Sallai, Clarinet, in a free concert in the sanctuary, previewing the 2025-2026 Concerts@First Season. The concert features “Rosie,” the 1783 Ibe Peters Iben Organ in works by J. S. Bach, Leo Weiner, and Bálint Karosi. A reception will follow in Old Buttonwood Hall. Come to enjoy a great opportunity to socialize and learn more about the music programs at FPC.
You are invited to join us for our Young Families Zoo Trip on Sunday, June 1. FPC Families will meet at the Philadelphia Zoo around 10:45 am and spend a few hours visiting our favorite animals. FPC will cover the cost of entrance tickets. Please email Laura if you are interested and let her know how many tickets you will need.
First Church is heading to an afternoon Phillies Game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, May 31 at 4:05 pm at Citizen’s Bank Park. We have sold-out of the 30 tickets we purchased; contact Laura Colee for information.
Join our regular brunch outing on Sunday, May 25, after the 11:00 AM service. We’re planning to dine at Rosy’s Taco Bar on 23rd and Walnut. Please RSVP to Laura if you’d like to join so we can make a reservation!
The Session has called a meeting of the congregation on May 25 at 10:30 a.m. for the purpose of
acting upon the Session’s motion that the church enter into a mortgage with PILP not to exceed 1.4 million dollars, and
acting upon the recommendations of the Officer Nominating Committee to fill vacancies on the Session and the Diaconate.
An informational presentation on the PILP loan will precede the meeting, beginning at 10:15 in the sanctuary. Click here for more information.
All members are encouraged to attend.
First Church is holding a new members class on May 18. Our membership class is an opportunity for you to learn more about our history and our values, how our past has shaped us and how we believe God is leading our church in the present. You can attend for information only, and those who wish to join will be received into membership that day. If you’re interested in attending, please contact Rev. Laura Colee.
During the months of May and June, Adult CE will focus on the theme of "rest" in preparation for and in connection with Baron's upcoming sabbatical.
Join Elaine Hanby to learn about various types of rest and how different community members practice these types of rest. It's not just sleep, and this session will facilitate the chance to learn from one another about what is rest and how we rest. The session will leave you with practices to consider implementing into your own life – or just a moment of quiet.
