Deacons of the First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre

11/04/2025

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09/11/2025

Never Forget. Always remember.

What does it mean to remember September 11, 2001?

We will always remember where we were when we first heard the news.

We will always remember feelings of confusion and chaos, or anger and sadness at the loss of innocent life.

We will always remember the sacrificial heroism displayed on Flight 93, and by first responders in New York and Washington, D.C., many of whom sacrificed their lives.

We will always remember how Americans of all faiths sought refuge in the divine as they gathered in houses of worship that day.

And we will always be mindful of the power of hatred to overtake human hearts—even our own—but we will also remember the power of love to overcome all fear.

Christians recognize this power as a reminder of resurrection hope: that love is more powerful than hatred, and that in the end, good will ultimately prevail. As Frederick Buechner says, “The worst isn't the last thing about the world. It's the next to the last thing. The last thing is the best. It's the power from on high that comes down into the world, that wells up from the rock-bottom worst of the world like a hidden spring. Can you believe it?”

May we so believe, and always remember.

09/06/2025

06/08/2025

Let us take Pentecost to rededicate ourselves to the apostles’ teachings and to our fellowship together as sojourn together, to the giving of our days to praising God, through our words and deeds.

05/26/2025

05/23/2025

Always find the time to show people how you love them.

Happy 143 Day—a day dedicated to spreading kindness and understanding everywhere! Our beloved Fred Rogers '62 used 143 as his code for “I love you”—with one letter in “I,” four in “love,” and three in “you.”

05/09/2025

We wish a Happy Mother’s Day weekend to all, and we pray for the blessed memories of those now only with us in spirit.

As we prepare for Mother's Day this weekend, we celebrate the mothers and motherly figures in our lives and remember and grieve those who are no longer with us.

05/08/2025

We join our Catholic siblings in celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV!
We pray that this historic election of the first pope from the United States will usher in unity and peace during a time of great upheaval in our world. In the words of Pope Leo himself, "United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together.”
Photo Credit: AP photo/Bernat Armangue

05/03/2025

Join us this Sunday, May 4th at First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre at 10 am for our annual "Ecumenical Sunday Worship" with our "Old Ship Zion" sister parish to commemorate our joint efforts to build Wilkes-Barre's first church, the Wilkes-Barre Meeting House on Public Square starting in 1791 and completed in 1812 with the hanging of the first bell in Wilkes-Barre (which you can still see today on Public Square).

Please note: no services this Sunday at St. Stephen's - services will be held at First Presbyterian at 10 am at 97 South Franklin Street.

"I will sound and respond unto Thy people, O Lord, to call them to Thy word." ~inscription on the bell

04/25/2025

From the full statement:

"To be Presbyterian is to be ecumenical, and as such, we affirm and celebrate the occasions in which we can work alongside...other faith communities to affirm common biblical principles of care for Creation and care for the most vulnerable among us."

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, mourns the loss of Pope Francis and offers thanks for his life and witness. Read the full statement here: https://pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/2025/4/25/presbyterians-mourn-loss-pope-francis

04/20/2025

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throng of God." (Heb. 12:1-2)

He is Risen. Alleluia! He is risen indeed. Alleluia! Christ is risen. Hosanna in the highest!