Overbrook
Presbyterian
Church

Overbrook Presbyterian Church

The Church at the Crossroads
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Upcoming Events

Special Congregational Meeting
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Immediately following worship. The purpose of this meeting will be to receive the report of the Nominating Committee posting their slate of nominees for Elder, Deacon and the At-Large Members of the 2019 Nominating Committee. Since, this meeting is a Special Congregational Meeting, no other business may be conducted except the business at hand.
Advent EventService of the Longest Night
Friday, December 21, 2018
7:00 PM
The excitement of the holidays can also bring challenges for each of us; the stresses and strains of preparation and celebrations can take their toll. Many people find that they have trouble feeling “in the spirit” because of the loss of a loved one, illness, an unsettling workplace environment, marital discord, or lingering sadness. Recognizing the emotional unevenness of the holidays, we will continue the practice of gathering in worship for The Service of the Longest Night. The service is so named because of its occurrence on the winter solstice…the longest night of the year. At this time of darkness, we will gather in worship, asking God’s blessing on our lives and seeking His loving guidance in our lives. May peace be a gift to all.
Advent EventHanging of the Greens
Saturday Dec. 22, 2018
10:00 AM
Come help decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas! We'll be making window sill decorations, pew swags, hanging festive garlands, and decorating the Sanctuary Christmas tree. All ages are welcome. There will be special craft activities for children in the Chapel, and they will be invited to decorate the tree in Wistar Morris Room. A chilly day will call for a chili lunch...and warm fellowship for all  who participate.
For those who would like to continue the festivities, Simpson House welcomes us to come caroling at 1:30 PM.
Please sign up online or in the Wistar Morris Room.
Advent EventChristmas Eve Family Service, Dinner & Gingerbread House Decorating
Monday, December 24, 2018
5:00 PM
Immediately after the Family Service on Christmas Eve, we will be serving a simple supper of sandwiches, soup, veggie sticks and cookies. Sign-up online or during coffee hour for donations of cookies, soup, veggie tray, set-up and clean-up.
Gingerbread houses will be ready for decorating at 7:00 PM. Any families interested in the Gingerbread House Decorating, please email or call the church office (215-877-2744) to reserve a house.
Everyone is welcome.
Advent EventChristmas Eve Candlelight Service
Monday, December 24, 2018
9:00 PM
This traditional service presents lessons and carols to celebrate the birth of Christ. The Overbrook Quartet, along with organist Christopher Gage, will present a half-hour of Christmas preludes beginning at 8:30 PM.
Youth EventPre-College & College Lunch & Conversation
Sunday, December 30, 2018
12:30 PM
Please sign up for the pre-college (11 and 12 grade) and college students lunch and conversation. If you are home for winter break come to the chapel and meet up with other students--some already in college, some just finishing their first seminar, some preparing to make the decision to go or not to go, and some who have recently finished college. Share your stories or just enjoy the lunch.
RSVP to Artia Benjamin by email or text (215-266-8758). Looking forward to seeing you.
Youth EventOPC Youth New Year’s Celebration
Saturday, January 5, 2019
5:00 to 8:00 PM
Come celebrate the start of the new year with dinner, games, and a movie! We will be celebrating in the newly “refurbished” Youth Room!
Youth EventSunday School Time Change
Sunday, January 6, 2019
9:30 to 10:15 AM
Beginning on January 6, Sunday School for children in grades Pre-K though Grade 12, will be in session each Sunday of the month, from 9:30 to 10:15 AM. This new schedule will allow children, youth, and teachers to participate fully in worship, and realize a 25% increase in instructional time.
Students will gather in Fellowship Hall for welcoming music and prayer, after which teachers will lead them to class. An adult "Greeting Team" will be in Fellowship Hall, beginning each Sunday at 9:15 AM, to welcome and supervise arriving students.
Following Sunday School, students will attend worship with their families. The worship-time child care will continue to be available for children through Grade 2. Following Time With Children, younger children may depart worship for the Nursery; students in grades 3 to 12 will remain in worship.
Advent EventThe Art of Advent: Seven Centuries of Great Sacred Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Sunday, January 6, 2019
1:30 to 3:00 PM
Join Peter Seidel, art teacher and Overbrook member, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art ("Pay What You Wish" Sunday) to consider the reason for the season! Please gather on the 2nd floor balcony of the Great Hall.
Care at the Crossroads MobilePack
Saturday, April 27, 2019
The Care at the Crossroads MobilePack will be at Bonner & Prendie High School. It’s not too early to mark your calendar and consider setting aside a jar to collect quarters until then. Remember 1 meal costs just 22 cents, so each quarter you set aside = life-saving nourishment for a child. Thank you in advance for your prayers, support, and generosity. Stay tuned for more updates!

Recent Events

Click here to see some pictures of recent events at Overbrook Presbyterian Church.

Resources for Christian Learning & Living

Prayer and Worship

  • List of Hymns from Glory to God Hymnal
  • Lay Leader Guidelines
  • Reflections on the Lord's Prayer: A Lenten Study
  • Memorial to the Lost, MLK Litany and Hymn-Prayer on Gun Violence
  • Spiritual Practices for the New Year - Sharon Kraybill
  • Overbrook Advent Devotional 2017
  • Baptism Service - Glory to God Hymnal
  • World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2017
  • Devotional for Mission Trip 2017
  • Worship Readiness - Preparing Children for Congregational Worship
  • Thanksgiving 2017

Adult Education Class Handouts

  • A Brief Statement of Faith - Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
  • The Way, the Truth and the Life by Shirley C. Guthrie
  • The Interreligious Stance of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
  • The Meaning of Thanksgiving
  • Gratitude as a Spiritual Discipline
  • Adult Forum Participant Guide - The Power of Forgiveness
  • Adult Forum Participant Guide - Atheism: A Christian Response
  • Where Is God When Disaster Strikes? Handout

Children and Families

  • Hungry Hearts on Children and Spirituality
  • 101 Ways to Live the Good News with Kids
  • Ten Commandments & Ten Fingers and Study

Resources for Grieving

  • Grieving Well
  • Talking with Children about Death
  • Understanding and Experiencing Grief

Annual Reports

  • 2017 Annual Report

Helpful Websites

  • Bible Gateway
  • Hymnary
  • Practicing Our Faith
  • Presbyterian Church (USA)
  • Philadelphia Presbytery
  • Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Magazines

  • Presbyterians Today
  • The Presbyterian Outlook
  • The Christian Century
  • Sojourners

Sunday Morning Schedule

Adult Forum
9:15 AM - McMillan Chapel
An engaging discussion on issues of faith and life. Led by The Rev. Raymond Bonwell, Bridge Pastor.
  • December 16: Why a Congregational Meeting?
  • December 23: What Is So Special about Christmas?
  • December 30: What Is So Special about a New Year?
Worship
10:30 AM - Sanctuary
The Rev. Raymond Bonwell, Bridge Pastor
  • December 16
    3rd Sunday of Advent
    • Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-20 & Luke 3:7-18
    • Sermon: Shout, Shout, Let It All Out!
    • Lay Leader: Bob Bevan
    • Advent Candle: Greta Ham & Mary Lou Ryce
  • December 23
    4th Sunday of Advent
    • Lectionary: Luke 1:39-45
    • Lay Leader: Trudy Sheau
    • Advent Candle: Aqueelah & Steven Folwell
  • December 24, 5:00 PM
    Christmas Eve Family Service
    • Lectionary: Luke 2:1-14
    • Advent Candle: The Lazo Family
  • December 24, 9:00 PM
    Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
    • Lectionary: Luke 2:1-14
    • Advent Candle: Sara Davis & Sharon Parker
  • December 30
    1st Sunday after Christmas
    • Lectionary: Luke 2:41-52
    • Lay Leader: Rachel Carnahan
Sunday School
Starting January 6, Sunday School will be in session each Sunday of the month from 9:30-10:15 AM. Students will gather in Fellowship Hall for welcoming music and prayer, after which teachers will lead them to class.
10:45 AM - Pre-K to Grade 2 leave Worship for Sunday School after Time with Children
11:15 AM - Grades 3 to 12 leave Worship for Sunday School after the Sermon
Coffee Hour
11:30 AM - Wistar Morris Room
  • December 16: Mimi Winkler
  • December 23: TBD
  • December 30: TBD

Order of Worship

December 16, 2018

Weekly Events at Overbrook

Junior Choir Rehearsal & Dinner
Mondays from 5:15 to 6:30 PM - Choral Room
Bible Study
Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 AM - McMillan Chapel
Led by The Rev. Raymond Bonwell, Bridge Pastor
For December, we will focus on Jonah, which is so much more than a “whale of a tale.” There are only four chapters in Jonah, and we will follow a schedule of approximately one chapter a week. It is never too late to join us to discuss what’s at stake in this overview of the Old Testament.
  • December 19, 2018 – Jonah, part 4
Overbrook Choir Rehearsal
Thursdays at 7:30 PM - Choral Room

Newsletter

December 2018

Overbrook Presbyterian Church
The Church at the Crossroads

P: 215-877-2744
E: office@overbrookpresb.org

6376 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19151

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