WORSHIP

Every Sunday morning at 10:30 am.
Beginning June 15, worship starts at 9:30am

Children are an essential and vivacious part of our church life. They are part of our church family and so are always invited to fully participate in worship. Children ages 3 through 4th grade join in the early sections of the worship service, including the Lesson for Young Christians — a word with the pastor about the Scripture and message of the day. Then they go with their teachers to Sunday School classes in the Old Pine Community Center. They return to the sanctuary whenever the sacraments of Baptism or the Lord's Supper are celebrated. There is a professionally staffed nursery for the comfort of infants and toddlers, though parents are encouraged to bring their children, whatever their age, to join the worshiping community.

Old Pine celebrates the sacrament of the Lord's Supper on the first Sunday of every month, on the first Sundays of Lent and Advent, on Maundy Thursday and Easter Day, on Homecoming Sunday and on other occasions throughout the church year.

Baptism is celebrated on a regular basis. To schedule a baptism, please contact the pastor, Deborah McKinley.

Visitors are welcome at Old Pine services and even expected! Most new comers to Old Pine are struck by the warmth of the service and the friendliness of the people. One recent visitor from Scotland commented, "You are such an impressive church in every way as all churches should be, with such a wonderful atmosphere of love and fun." As we like to say, "There are no strangers at Old Pine. Only people whose names we don't yet know." See parking and public transportation information below.

The church is located on Pine Street between 4th and 5th Streets. Street parking is permitted on Sundays until 1pm on the south side of Pine Street. There is also a small lot on 5th Street between Lombard and Pine Streets. The exact street address is 412 Pine Street, Philadelphia PA 19106.

• SEPTA buses stopping near Old Pine's block are routes 12, 40, 47, and 57
• SEPTA trains stop at the Gallery/Market East Station. From there walk 5 blocks south on 10th Street to Pine Street. Turn left (east) on Pine Street and walk 5 and one half blocks to the church.
• The New Jersey Transit Hi-speed line stops at 9th and Locust Streets. Walk 2 blocks south on 9th Street to Pine Street, turn left on Pine Street and walk 4 and one half blocks to the church.

• from northbound I-95: Take the Columbus Blvd. exit (#16). Turn left at light onto Columbus Blvd., turn left at the first light onto Washington Avenue, turn right at first light onto Front Street, proceed 6 blocks (6 stop signs) and turn left onto Lombard Street, proceed 4 blocks and turn right onto Fifth Street to the Old Pine parking lot -- second entrance on the right. Or if lot is full proceed 1/2 block to Pine Street and turn right. (Sunday morning parking is permitted on the south side of Pine Street)
• from southbound I-95: Take the Historic Area exit and follow the Independence Hall signs down Sixth Street (past Independence Hall) to Pine Street. Turn left on Pine Street and travel 1 and one half blocks to the church. (Sunday morning parking is permitted on the south side of Pine Street)
• from eastbound I-76 (Schuykill Expressway): Exit left (east) onto East 676 toward Center City. Follow 676 East to the 8th Street exit and turn right (south) on 8th Street. Follow 8th Street about 7 blocks to Pine Street. Turn left (east) on Pine Street and travel 3 and one half blocks to the church. (Sunday morning parking is permitted on the south side of Pine Street)
• from the Ben Franklin Bridge: Follow Sixth Street (south) signs to Pine Street. Turn left on Pine Street to the church. (Sunday morning parking is permitted on the south side of Pine Street)

Deborah A. McKinley, Pastor
Thomas Faracco, Director of Music
Bill Searight, Director of Education
Anne Stewart, Seminary Intern
Joe Tursi, Director of Operations
Mary Hall, Church Administrator
Deatra Butler, Nursery Care
Allison Williams, Nursery Care
Marien Flowers, Saturday for Seniors Chef
Ed Young, Executive Director of the Old Pine Community Center

Deborah A. McKinley, Pastor

An ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Debbie has served as Pastor of the Old Pine Street Church since January 1995. She brings a passion for worship and community outreach, as well as for strengthening the community of faith as disciples of Jesus Christ. Before coming to Old Pine, she served on the national staff of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as Associate for Worship with the Theology and Worship Ministry Unit of the General Assembly Council. While working in that capacity, she served as an editorial consultant on the Book of Common Worship, (C) 1993, Westminster/John Knox Press. She has also served as Associate Pastor of Pine Street Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, PA.

Debbie currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Princeton Theological Seminary and the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood, Southeastern Pennsylvania. She and Old Pine are part of a group of pastors and churches who came together to start the Broad Street Ministry, an innovative ministry in the heart of the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia. She is the Vice-Moderator of Philadelphia Presbytery.

Debbie grew up in southern California, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Communications from the University of California, San Diego, and her Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Debbie is married to David Rich, also an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Tom Faracco, Director of Music

In spring 2001, Tom Faracco became Old Pine's Director of Music. He provides music leadership for worship, directs the Adult Choir and organizes the Music at Old Pine events. Born in New York City, he attended Westminster Choir College and Indiana University, holding degrees in church music, organ and voice performance. Since 1983, he has been on the voice faculty at Westminster and currently chairs the Voice Department. Tom brings close to 30 years of experience in the field of church music, having served as Director of Music in a wide variety of churches.

Bill Searight, Director of Education

Bill is our Director of Education, working mostly with the children and youth of Old Pine. He joined the church staff in July 2007, joining us from Old First Reformed, UCC, where his wife, Sarah Cooper Searight, continues to work. Bill received his Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, and is currently seeking ordination in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). He is passionate about the story of Scripture, and hopes to encourage children and youth to enter into that story through worship, art, and fellowship.

Anne is a third year student at Princeton Seminary and a native of central Pennsylvania. She brings enthusiasm for learning ministry in an urban setting. She spent summer 2006 as an intern at Mission at the Eastward a cooperative parish of 9 congregations located in West Central Maine. Anne loves horseback riding, cooking, photography, and traveling to new places. Anne's particular passion is the study of the Old Testament. She is a candidate for minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church and also hopes to pursue doctoral work in biblical studies.

Joe Tursi, Director of Operations

Joe joined the staff of Old Pine Street Church in April of 2005. He comes to this position with over 20 years experience in the field of building maintenance and upkeep. Fifteen of those years were spent with Washington Twp. Public Schools System. Joe was born in Philadelphia and grew up mostly in South Jersey. He presently resides in Ridley Twp., Delaware County.

Mary Hall, Church Administrator

Mary joined the staff at Old Pine in February, 2001, having just returned to her birthplace of Philadelphia after many years of west coast life. Her diverse background encompasses the corporate world as well as the hospitality industry, including inn management. She takes pride in being a part of Old Pine from both the standpoint of its current role in the community and its rich history.

Deatra Butler has been a member of the Old Pine family for five years. She provides a nurturing, fun, and safe environment for our children in the nursery. Along with her duties at Old Pine, she works full time as a Support Manager for Quality Progressions in Philadelphia. She completed a Bachelor degree in Social Studies from Temple University in 2005. Currently Deatra is on maternity leave.

Marien Flowers, Saturday for Seniors Chef

Marien was recommended by her old supervisor to Old Pine for the job of Saturday for Seniors Chef. She has been here at the church for 9 years or so and loves every moment of it. She got into cooking through her family. Her mother had a restaurant and the family fell in love with cooking. She often says, "My family is going to lose me to the senior citizens." Marien loves providing meals for the seniors.

Ed Young, Executive Director of the Old Pine Community Center

Ed joined the staff of the Old Pine Community Center as the Executive Director in March of 2005. Ed is passionate about community service and in particular helping the disadvantaged. Prior to his service here at Old Pine, Ed, served as the Executive Director at two YMCA's in Delaware and one in Baltimore. Prior to making the switch to non-profits Ed managed a commercial fitness club in Wilmington, DE. Ed is a graduate of Messiah College in Grantham, Pa. He currently resides in Secane, PA.

Children are central to Old Pine life. They are welcomed as full participants in every aspect of our life as a community of faith. As a congregation, we take seriously the promises we make to children at their baptism and strongly support the nurture and education of the children of our church family.

Old Pine offers professionally staffed infant and nursery care during Sunday morning worship and activities. Professional child care staff attends to the needs of our youngest members so parents can worship with complete peace of mind.

Sunday School classes are open to children of all ages. Children aged 10 and younger accompany their parents to worship at 10:30 a.m. and then are dismissed after the "Lesson for Young Christians." Classes meet in the Old Pine Community Center and include music, bible stories, arts and crafts.

Youth in grades 5-8 gather Sunday mornings at 9am for discussion and activities. They meet at the Old Pine Community Center for about an hour and then walk the few steps through the historic cemetery to the Church sanctuary for worship at 10:30am. They have talked about homelessness and visited with a former homeless person and his brother; they have shared their favorite Bible verses and why they are important to each one; they have experienced what it feels like to make a decision that is different from what their friends may do. Co-leaders for each session help these young people find answers, ask new (and old) questions, and walk with the faith each day. Friends are always welcome to attend.

A Confirmation/Commissioning Class is planned for 2008-09. The class, designed for young people, grade 9 and older, will meet on Sunday mornings. The class explores the fundamentals of Christian faith. The young people are matched with a "shepherd" – a member of the congregation who walks with and mentors the young person through this particular part of their journey of faith. The Confirmation/Commissioning Class participates in the Inquirers Way, with adults who are also exploring basic Christian belief.

The children and families of Old Pine celebrate the beginning of summer every year with Vacation Bible School. Held at the Old Pine Community Center jointly with St. Peter's Episcopal Church and Christ's Church, Vacation Bible School offers an opportunity for kids to grow in Christian faith and to be completely silly. The theme for 2007 was "The Great Bible Reef" and included lots of fishy fun. Stay tuned for more details regarding VBS in '08.

A full range of programs are offered regularly. Designed with room for exploration, the Adult Education programs encourage questions and dialogue between the faith we know and the world in which we live. In the conversation, we learn anew about Christian faith and how it is God would have us live. The programs are often challenging, and sometimes provoking, and always include a biblical and theological foundation.

• Sunday mornings, 9:00am – 10:15am
• Childcare provided
• Click here for current schedule

Jesus said to his disciples, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while."
–Mark 6:31

Old Pine provides for such a "coming away" annually. The hustle and bustle of life can wear you down! It's good to get away from the everyday routine, and gather in a quiet place. Usually the third weekend of January (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday weekend), the retreat is held at the Black Rock Retreat Center. Past topics have included "Created and Called: Discovering our Gifts for Abundant Living," "Unwrapping Prayer—A Fantastic Gift from God," and "Forgiveness: A Matter of Will and Grace." Come away and let this retreat experience help deepen your connection with God in this quiet wooded retreat setting. Experience a wonderful opportunity to be away from the noise of the city and get better acquainted with Old Pine folk that you see across the aisle in worship on Sunday.

This year's retreat:
Do you want to be more intentional about your use of time and resources? Are you concerned about the place of money, possessions, or acheivements in your life? Would you like to enrich your relationships with people you care about? Are you concerned about the environment and social justice? Or do you just long for some respite from the complexities of your daily routines? If so, then this retreat is for you.

Come explore how choosing to live more simply can transform your life and heart.

Come to this quiet wooded retreat setting to deepen your relationship with God and offering a wonderful opportunity to be better acquainted with Old Pine fold.

The deadline for registration is Sunday, December 23.
Cost for the retreat includes two overnights and five meals:

• single: $190.00 per person
• double: $150.00 per person
• triple: $130.00 per person

Each month participants read a selected book of the Bible, or portion of a book, and meet once a month on Sunday at the Old Pine Community Center for lunch and discussion following worship. Click here for current schedule.

This month's book:
The last week narrative in Mark

Old Pine is currently engaged in a study of John Dominic Crossan's book The Last Week, a close reading of the final week of Jesus' ministry in and around Jerusalem. As a part of this study, the Bible Book of the Month Class will spend the February and March events discussing the book.

Interfaith Study Group

Members of local Jewish and Christian (Protestant and Catholic) congregations gather for sessions of interfaith Bible Study and discussion. The experience helps to bridge the gap between faith traditions.

• Click here for schedule and topic information.
• Send an email for more information click here.

The early bird gets the Word!

Or perhaps, the early bird gets coffee, companionship, and Spirit-filled conversation. Join us for a mid-week, early morning Bible study and help us to seek a word from God before the busy day begins. We gather on Wednesday, every other week, 7-8:15am, at the Food Court at the Bellevue (Broad and Walnut Streets, enter via Broad Street doors).

Music has always been an integral part of our worship, even more so since the first organ was introduced at Old Pine in the mid nineteenth century. Old Pine's most famous music director was Louis Redner, who is the composer of the Christmas carol, "O Little Town of Bethlehem." During the summer of 1998 an historic J. W. Steere Pipe Organ was installed. We have been truly blessed to have this wonderful instrument to lead the congregational song, and accompany the choir.

Tom Faracco, Old Pine's Director of Music, joined the staff of Old Pine in May 2001. Tom bring more than 30 years of experience in the field of church music. He has served as Director of Music in a wide variety of churches. Born in New York City, Tom attended Westminster Choir College and Indiana University, holding degrees in church music, organ and voice performance. Since 1983, he has been on the voice faculty at Westminster and currently chairs the Voice Department.

The choir of Old Pine leads the music in worship from September through May. The ensemble consists of twenty gifted volunteers and professional section leaders. Its repertoire ranges from Gregorian chant to the ostinatos of Taizé, renaissance polyphony to large scale oratorios. On major festivals, instrumentalists from the Curtis Institute and other leading conservatories join the forces of the choir.

For more than 239 years, folks at Old Pine Presbyterian Church have been serious about the Christian faith and how it can be lived faithfully every day. We know that the good news of Jesus Christ transforms lives, and we're eager to welcome fellow travelers along the journey of faith. Everyone is welcome at Old Pine. We don't expect a certain level of faith or knowledge before newcomers are welcomed as part of our community. We know that God welcomes us where we are, but doesn't leave us there. Instead, we journey forward in faith, learning and growing.

Visitors who come through the Old Pine doors will be greeted by a friendly, inclusive community. Once we get to know each other, the visitor may want to learn more about Christian faith, and about membership at Old Pine. Such inquiry sets one on an intentional journey at Old Pine: The Inquirers Way.

These Inquirers are paired with a companion, or shepherd - a member of Old Pine - who will walk with the Inquirers as they begin their exploration. The Inquirers Way is an apprenticeship in faith. There are opportunities for conversation and reflection, for learning through the Adult Forum and the annual Retreat. There are opportunities for service through volunteering at Saturday for Seniors and other outreach programs. There is opportunity to gather with other Inquirers and their Shepherds, to share a meal together and reflect on bible readings.

The Inquirers Way is a time of exploration and learning, of being open to the Holy Spirit and how God might be at work, bringing folks to a deeper faith.

As Inquirers learn more about faith, and about Old Pine, they come to a time when they are ready for more intensive learning and preparation. The first Sunday in Lent provides an opportunity for the Inquirers and their Shepherds to commit themselves to this next stage of the journey: Lenten preparation. The Old Pine congregation will also commit itself to prayer and support of the Inquirers and Shepherds.

During Lent, the Inquirers and Shepherds meet weekly to share a meal, study and learn together. This is preparation for baptism or, for those already baptized, for reaffirmation of baptism. The Christian faith is an exciting and fulfilling path. This six-week series provides time for discussion and close examination. At the end of the Lenten preparation period, Inquirers are offered the opportunity to profess their faith, be baptized, or reaffirm their baptismal covenant, and become members of Old Pine. Inquirers are then baptized, or reaffirm their baptismal covenant on Easter.