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Dear friends: July 22

How is it possible that we are already nearing the end of July? The summer is flying by!

As you have read in recent editions of the Penn Street Online, the mission and ministry of First Pres remains vibrant all summer long. Seasonal ministries like Mission on the Move, Senior High Mission Trip, Vacation Bible School, Music and Arts Camps, children and youth camps and conferences, and more are woven into the rhythm of the ongoing ministries of Community Crossroads, Christian Nurture, Congregational Care, Fellowship, Evangelism, Mission, and of course, weekly worship. Mission and ministry occur on our Penn Street and Hemphill campuses, through our expanding digital campus, and in locations throughout our city, region, nation, and world. It has been an exciting and faithful summer.

As a new school year quickly approaches, your staff is hard at work finalizing plans for the fall season of ministry. Back to school gatherings, new educational and fellowship opportunities for all ages, expanded digital campus offerings, the annual stewardship emphasis, and so much more will continue to engage and equip us all to live out our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ. Look to the August and September editions of the Penn Street Letter in addition to the weekly Penn Street Online for more information about mission and ministry in the weeks and months ahead and consider how you will be engaged and grow in your own discipleship. I am grateful God has called us all together in the community of faith we know and love as First Pres!

God’s peace,
Michael Waschevski
Senior Associate Pastor

Dear friends: June 24

I remember learning a children’s song in Sunday school that has remained with me my whole life. Perhaps you learned it too, at some point in your faith journey.

I am the Church, you are the Church, we are the Church together.
All who follow Jesus, all around the world, yes, we’re the Church together.

This song shaped my ecclesiology at a young age and taught me part of the foundation of our polity as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) – the church is interconnected and shares witness beyond the congregation. Through councils of the church, we collectively bear more faithful witness to Jesus Christ. The councils of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are the Session, Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly.

Our Session at First Pres is comprised of ruling elders elected by the congregation and our installed Ministers of Word and Sacrament. Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly are comprised of ruling elders and Ministers of the Word and Sacrament.

Currently the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is meeting. As stated on our Book of Order (G-3.05), “The General Assembly is the council of the whole church, and it is representative of the unity of the synods, presbyteries. sessions, and congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Comprised of equal numbers of ruling elders and Ministers of the Word and Sacrament, the General Assembly constitutes the bond of union, community, and mission among all its congregations and councils, to the end that the whole church becomes a community of faith, hope, love, and witness. As it leads and guides the witness of the whole church, it shall keep before it the marks of the Church (F-1.0302), the notes by which Presbyterian and Reformed bodies have identified themselves through history (F-1,0303), and the Six Great Ends of the Church. (F-1.0304)”

Please keep the General Assembly in your prayers as they travel and meet, seeking together the mind of Christ and our faithful witness in the world. Special prayers for our own Matt McGraw and Sarah Clingman who are advisory delegates (theological and youth) to the General Assembly.

God’s peace to you,

Michael Waschevski
Senior Associate Pastor