Sharing God’s Love, Welcome, and Justice
On Our Corner, in Our City, And in the World
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Alleluia. Christ is risen!
Risen indeed. Alleluia!
Old First Presbyterian Church wishes everyone a joyous Eastertide!
Easter Day: Grief & Hope
“Even when it comes to the pettiest, tiniest things, we need to grieve so that we can make room for the better. There’s the key, though: our grief cannot become our everything. With memory, testimony, and time, we can recognize that grief is liminal, not terminal. And it need not crowd out other truths: that we have loved and been loved. That we are not alone. That there is still hope in the land of the living.”
—Rev. Jeff Chu (@byjeffchu) from his commentary on Luke 24:1-12 | @sanctifiedart
Faith communities unite in declaration to defend refugees March 4, 2025
Church World Service | Special to Presbyterian News Service
In an unprecedented moment of moral reckoning, Church World Service (CWS) has issued The Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge, a bold and urgent call to action from faith communities across the nation. Among the signatories is the Rev. Jihyun Oh, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and executive director of the Interim Unified Agency.
With 45 initial signers, including Church World Service’s Covenant Members, this declaration is more than a statement — it is a solemn and unshakable commitment by religious leaders and organizations to stand against policies that endanger refugees and immigrants.
At a time when the United States faces defining choices about its treatment of the displaced and persecuted, this powerful declaration is a collective stand for justice. It calls on all people of faith to root their advocacy in scripture and directly challenges political leaders to remember that the U.S. identity is inseparable from its immigrant history. The way the nation treats its most vulnerable will not only shape communities at home but will define the country’s moral standing in the global arena.
Following the administration’s executive orders that oppose the proud American tradition of welcome, directives to abdicate our leadership around the world, and enactment of policies that keep families separated, the Declaration says:
“Together in faith and rooted in love, we resolve to continue in the centuries-old practice of Christian communities walking alongside refugees and immigrants in their pursuit of safety and dignity. We pledge to restore and promote hospitality and welcome to those seeking refuge — regardless of where they are from, how they pray or what language they speak.
“Guided by our faith, we stand together against the sweeping measures that are devastating vulnerable families and jeopardizing their futures. These actions not only cause immediate harm but also threaten our country’s long-term ability to welcome and support those in need. We grieve for the families who have been torn apart, had years-long reunification plans cancelled, been detained and deported, have been unjustly blocked from accessing asylum protections, and have been left without access to the basic assistance they need to thrive.
Joined by CWS’ Covenant Members and faith leaders and communities across the country, this declaration comes at a time of uncertainty for the United States Refugee Admissions Program.
To read the full article click here.
Worship In-Person and On-Line
In-Person: Old First invites you to join us in person at the church at 11:00 am every Sunday.
On-Line Worship at Old First: Old First Presbyterian Church livestreams worship services on both Sundays and holidays. You can view this week’s livestream by clicking here.
For the worship bulletin for this week, click here.
You can also view previous Old First worship services at any time. To visit Old First’s YouTube channel playlist for Sunday worship or previous worship services, click here. Don’t forget to bookmark the address in your browser for easy access.
