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Ministries
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Small Groups
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Volunteers
Our Ministries:
"Faith Working through Love"
The following is a list of the ministries at Faith Church, together with a brief description of their purpose.
English as Second Language (ESL)
Jennifer Hogg, Director of ESL/NCC Phlly
Our church is pleased to participate in the English as Second Language (ESL) program hosted by our sister congregation of Northeast Community Church in the Mayfair section of Phiadelphia. Fall semester classes are held Mondays-Thursdays throughout the course of the school year. 225 men and women have already signed up for classes, and there's a waiting list of many more! Several members of this church have signed on to serve as volunteer teachers or teacher assistants. But more volunteers are needed! If you are interested in joining with others in this important service to our communities, or would simply like more information, please contact Pastor Jules. Or for more detailed information about this ministry, visit http://esl.nccphilly.org/the-church.
Bible Reading Ministry
Mike Yorg, Coordinator
A number of us are linked togtether in a Facebook group called, Two Bible Chapters a Day, in which members read two chapters of Scripture every day and post praise and/or reflections. This has been a source of great blessing for those participating. New members are always welcome to join! Contact Mike Yorg for more information.
Music Ministry
Rachel MacKay, Director of Music Ministry
As in all things, so especially in our worship: we seek first and foremost to glorify God, and to do so with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Toward this end, music has always been an important and integral part of the worship of God's people. The music we sing and play in worship, therefore, strives to glorify God, and to do so with power, vitality, reverence, awe, and joy -- whether by singing traditional hymns or playing contemporary songs with guitar, bass, and drums.
In addition to the Worship Team, Faith Church has a number of music ensembles which practice at various times, including the following:
Bass Camp :
Vocal parts training for hymns.
Weekly training (seasonal)
Faith Holiday Choir :
A 20-member vocal ensemble.
Weekly practice (seasonal)
Faith Quartet :
A vocal quartet; with instruments.
Weekly practice (seasonal)
Relentless Faith :
A youth jazz ensemble.
Practice on Thursdays @ 8:06 pm
Seasons Strings :
A youth violin and viola ensemble.
Weekly practice (seasonal)
If you’re interested in sharing your vocal gifts and singing to God’s glory and praise, or if you’d like to share your gifts in instrumental music, please contact Rachel MacKay, Director of Music Ministry. See our Music Policy for more information about how you might share your gifts! And click HERE for more information about our worship service.
Adult Education Ministry
Jules Grisham, Coordinator
The goal of the Adult Education program of Faith Presbyterian Church is to equip the saints with the resources they need for mature Christian living, by deepening them in God's word and by providing opportunities for ongoing immersion in the word and in community with one another. Engaging and enjoying the living Word of God in a community context, and then applying it, practicing its principles in the course of day-to-day living, is the heart of our mission to cultivate, train up, and serve the Kingdom together as disciples of Christ.
These are the small groups and classes currently meeting at Faith:
Adult Christian Education Classes :
Sunday School classes for adults and youth.
Sundays @ 9:05 am
Newtown Fellowship :
A Bible study and fellowship group serving Newtown.
Thursdays @ 7:00 pm
Yardley Fellowship :
A Bible study and fellowship group serving Yardley.
Tuesdays @ 7:30 pm
Palmer Farm Fellowship :
A Bible study and fellowship group, with dinner.
Tuesdays @ 6:30 pm
Families of Faith :
A prayer and fellowship group for young families.
3rd Fridays @ 7:00 am
Women’s Monthly Fellowship :
A women's prayer, discussion, and fellowship group.
3rd Thursdays @ 7:00 pm
Women’s Afternoon Bible Study :
A women's prayer, discussion, and fellowship group.
Thursdays @ 12:30 pm
Women’s Saturday Prayer Breakfast :
A women's morning prayer group.
2nd Saturdays @ 8:30 am
There are also the Women's Retreat in April, and the Women's Conference in October, at which women gather for a times of refreshing, with prayer, praise, fellowship, food, and teaching!
Men's Fellowship Dinner :
A men's monthly fellowship dinner, with teaching.
3rd Thursdays @ 7:00 pm
Calvin & Bobs :
Monthly men's theology breakfast.
Last Saturdays @ 7:30 am
There are also the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology (PCRT) in April, and the Regional Conferences on Reformed Theology in Princeton and Quakertown in November, at which we gather for a times of teaching and fellowship!
Officers' Training Classes:
Training for newly elected Elders and Deacons.
8 Sundays each November-January
New Members Classes:
Classes for prospective new members.
4 Sundays each October/November
Finally, a number of us are linked togtether in a Facebook group called, Two Bible Chapters a Day, in which members read two chapters of Scripture every day and post praise and/or reflections. This has been a source of great blessing for those participating. New members are always welcome to join!
Women's Ministry
Women's Ministry Team, Coordinators
The Women's Ministry at Faith Presbyterian Church seeks to help each woman in the church to grow in her personal relationship with the Lord; to cultivate and deepen relationships with the other women in the church; and to reach out to her friends and neighbors.
Women’s Monthly Fellowship :
A women's prayer, discussion, and fellowship group.
3rd Thursdays @ 7:00 pm
Women’s Afternoon Bible Study :
A women's prayer, discussion, and fellowship group.
Thursdays @ 12:30 pm
Women’s Saturday Prayer Breakfast :
A women's morning prayer group.
2nd Saturdays @ 8:30 am
There are also the Women's Retreat in April, and the Women's Conference in October, at which women gather for a times of refreshing, with prayer, praise, fellowship, food, and teaching!
Men's Ministry
Vince Cacciatore, Coordinator
The Men's Ministry at Faith Presbyterian Church seeks to deepen each man's understanding of God's Word; to strengthen the bonds of friendship between men in the church; and to to nourish and sustain a bold consistency between the faith they profess and the life they live.
Men's Fellowship Dinner :
A men's monthly fellowship dinner, with teaching.
3rd Thursdays @ 7:00 pm
Calvin & Bobs :
Monthly men's theology breakfast.
Last Saturdays @ 7:30 am
There are also the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology (PCRT) in April, and the Regional Conferences on Reformed Theology in Princeton and Quakertown in November, at which we gather for a times of teaching and fellowship!
Care Ministry
Deacons, Coordinators
Through the Care Ministry we seek to demonstrate the love of Christ to each other and to others, both during difficult times of need and on joyous occasions. We provide meals for those who are sick, in need, or upon the birth of a baby. On behalf of the congregation, we arrange for gifts to be given at baptisms, to honor graduates, to express our love to members who are moving, and to bless and thank our staff at Christmas time. We can and do provide financial assistance to those in need, upon request and interview. Our purpose is to show God’s love to one another in a tangible way, as well as in prayer. This ministry is funded solely by contributions made by the congregation. These funds can be given at any time and designated for "Care." The Christmas Eve and Good Friday offerings have been specifically designated for this purpose.
We also participate in a number of mercy and community outreach ministries throughout the year (sending teams to assist with the English as Second Language (ESL) program hosted by Northeast Community Church in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia; participating in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation’s Light the Night Walk in the fall; and participating in PennDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway program.
Fellowship Events
Tim Clydesdale, Event Coordinator
At various times of the year we have special events to promote friendship among our members, regular attenders, and recent guests. Volunteer help is always needed and appreciated.
Special Afternoon Communion Services :
Quarterly, at Deer Meadows Retirement Community.
Dates announced in advance @ 4:30 pm
Special Evening Services :
Good Friday and Christmas Eve.
Good Friday and Christmas Eve @ 6:30 pm
Last Sunday :
Communion Sunday luncheons.
Last Sundays @ 12:30 pm
In addition to these are the Youth Winter Retreat in January; a Church Camping Trip ("Church in the Woods"") in early June; children and youth events throughout the course of the year, including hikes, bike trips, swim parties, and various outings; a Youth Summer Retreat in July; an annual Outdoor Worship Service and Church Picnic; a Movie Night Under the Stars in October; and an End-of-Year Prayer and Praise Event in December.
We also participate in a number of mercy, community outreach, and missions ministries throughout the year (sending teams to assist with the English as Second Language (ESL) program hosted by Northeast Community Church in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia; participating in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation’s Light the Night Walk in the fall; participating in PennDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway program; and supporting a number of church plants among immigrant groups in the Philadelphia, as well as supporting missionaries in Japan, South America, France, and Africa. In the past year, our congregation sent missions teams to Guatemala, Peru, and Kenya, and this year we plan to send a team to Peru.
Global Impact (Missions)
Burroughs Perkins, Chairman
The mission of the Global Impact Team is to encourage the congregation's involvement with missions and to budget the distribution of congregational contributions earmarked for missions. The Team plans an annual Missions Conference in March and other missions-related activities throughout the year. At the core of Faith Church's mission strategy is the promotion of church planting, both in this country and abroad. We support a number of church plants among immigrant groups in the Philadelphia, as well as supporting missionaries in Japan, South America, France, and Africa. In the past year, our congregation sent missions teams to Guatemala, Peru, and Kenya, and this year we plan to send a team to Peru.
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Ministries
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Small Groups
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Volunteers
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Children and Youth:
A Higher, Nobler Calling
Children's Ministry: Birth-5th Grade
Jon Pickens, Pastor of Youth and Discipleship
We place a strong emphasis on our ministry for children, striving to involve them in all aspects of our fellowship:
NURSERY CARE: The Children’s Ministry Team provides nursery care for kids from newborn through four years of age during the entire worship service each Sunday. Note that all children's staff and volunteer workers are members of our congregation who have undergone the mandated background check, as required for any such service involving the care of children at Faith Church.
The nursery is located in the room off the left side of the hall as you enter the church, just across the hall and visible from the worship area. It is staffed by at least two trained member volunteers at all times. Upon arrival, parents will be given a pager unit (that flashes and buzzes if called), so that they can be easily contacted if and when that should become necessary during the course of the service.
If you're interested in finding out more about the nursery program at Faith Church, see our Nursery Guidelines for Parents and our Nursery Worker Guidelines; or contact Jon Pickens, who oversees nursery operations each Sunday.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES: If your children are anywhere from kindergarten to sixth grade level, they are welcome our "God's Garden" program of Sunday School classes. Note that all children's staff and volunteer workers are members of our congregation who have undergone the mandated background check, as required for any such service involving the care of children at Faith Church.
Children participate with grown-ups during the first half of the service (and love it!) -- as it involves a lot of singing. Prior to the pastoral prayer and/or the sermon, children are then dismissed to attend their classes. There is one class for kindergarten through grade 3 and another for grades 4-6; both are taught by trained member volunteers using the curriculum that the church uses to make sure that the children are exposed to the main themes and broad outlines and of the whole of Scripture. (Children also enjoy "sword drills," which involve Scripture memory.)
The classes are designed so that children will "graduate" to the youth program (which begins at 6th grade) with a living understanding of who Jesus Christ is, of what the gospel is, and of the greatness of God's love for us. For more information, contact Jon Pickens, the Pastor of Youth and Discipleship.
COMMUNICANTS CLASS: Each spring, we offer a Communicants Class for interested sixth graders who desire to learn more about the faith we confess and the rights and obligations of membership in a Christian community (or, as the Westminster Confession puts it, "what man is to believe concerning God" and "what duties God requires of man"). Participation in the Communicants Class is required for those children of member parents who wish to become communing members of Faith Church, i.e., those who have been baptized and profess personal faith in Jesus Christ, who are henceforth welcome and encouraged to partake of the Lord's Supper with their parents and fellow members of the Body of Christ. For more information about this regularly offered class, contact Pastor Jules.
There are a number of kid-friendly activities through the course of the year, including a Family Fun Night with the Trenton Thunder in May; a Church Camping Trip ("Church in the Woods"") in early June; children and youth events throughout the course of the year, including hikes, swim parties, and various outings; an annual Outdoor Worship Service and Church Picnic, as well as "Presbypalooza," an evening of music, praise, and prayer, in September; a Movie Night Under the Stars in October; and the Light the Night Walk in late October-early November.
In addition, we will soon be launching a new mid-week ministry, called Faith Alive!, which will combine fellowship and teaching opportunities for the entire church on a single night, to included classes for children (as well as providing resources for home schooling parents). Finally, child care can be arranged for certain small groups (e.g., the Newtown Fellowship and the Women's Afternoon Fellowship Group).
Youth Ministry: 6th-12th Grade
Jon Pickens, Pastor of Youth and Discipleship
LIVING STONES: All 6th through 12th graders are invited to participate in Living Stones, Faith's Youth Group, that meets every Sunday afternoon from 4:00-6:00 pm. Note that all youth staff and volunteer workers are members of our congregation who have undergone the mandated background check, as required for any such service involving the care of children and/or youth at Faith Church. The group meets together for a time of fun and fellowship, with games, activities, and snacks; and this is followed by a time of in-depth and interactive teaching, focusing on the principles of understanding, applying, and living out our faith in the real context of our world.
Senior high students meet for a weekly Bible Study, Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pm.
There are a number of activities for youth and for families with youth through the course of the year, including a Youth Winter Retreat in January; a Church Camping Trip ("Church in the Woods"") in early June; numerous children and youth events, including hikes, swim parties, bowling, and various outings; a Youth Summer Retreat in July; an annual Outdoor Worship Service and Church Picnic, and a Movie Night Under the Stars in October.
In addition, youth are invited to participate in a number of mercy, community outreach, and missions ministries throughout the year (including assisting with the English as Second Language (ESL) program hosted by Northeast Community Church in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia; participating in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation’s Light the Night Walk in the fall; and participating in PennDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway program. Loooking ahead, we are planning to send short-term missions teams to support these missionaries in their labor.
In sum, the goal of our program is to prepare Christ's young men and women for a life-long committment to God and his kingdom; to equip them with the resources needed for a vibrant and maturing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; and to ready them for lifelong membership and participation in the church. For more information, contact Jon Pickens, the Pastor of Youth and Discipleship.
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