The Summer Jazz Concert on the lawn at First Presbyterian drew many neighbors and friends to enjoy the beautiful weather and fun music provided by the Classical Jazz Quartet.
See more photos of the Aug. 20 event here.
Archive Page 2
Jazz Concert Draws Friends and Neighbors
Published August 30, 2011 News ClosedTags: First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis, music
Summer Jazz Concert on the Lawn at First Presbyterian
Published July 21, 2011 First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis , News ClosedThe highly acclaimed Classical Jazz Quartet will perform a free concert on the lawn at First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m.
The quartet, based in University City, includes Emmy Award-winning pianist and composer Michael Silverman, as well as Matt Bollinger, Rob Silverman and Andrew Driscoll. The group’s music, featuring classical and world music influences, is garnering rave reviews as the quartet performs throughout the country. See a sampling of the group’s music:
All are welcome to bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the performance.
Vacation Bible School to include “Milk and Honey Cooking School”
Published May 23, 2011 First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis , News ClosedTags: First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis, Vacation Bible School
“Eating Your Way Through Biblical History” is the theme of the 2011 Vacation Bible School at First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis.
Over three nights in June, adults and children will experience an adventure in cooking, eating and learning. The Milk and Honey Cooking School does more than just entertain and teach a little biblical history; it also provides an in-depth look at the culture and rituals surrounding cooking and eating in biblical times. How much more fun history would be if you could eat your way through it? This is the inspiration behind the Milk and Honey Cooking School. This journey will take participants from the Old Testament days of Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph through the time of Christ, as we make the bread of Abraham and Sarah and taste Esau’s Pottage, maybe some Greek cheesecake and much more.
Vacation Bible School will take place Sunday through Tuesday, June 12-14 on the lawn at First Presbyterian Church, 7200 Delmar Blvd. in University City. Bring a picnic supper to enjoy from 6 to 6:45 p.m., then participate in cooking activities from 6:45 to 8 p.m.
All are welcome; attend any or all evenings.
For more information, call the church at (314) 726-6677.
Thoughts on the death of Osama bin Laden
Published May 4, 2011 First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis , News Closed
From Pastor Bill Perman:
I wanted to share with you some of my thoughts on the death of Osama bin Laden. This is not meant to be the last word but what has surfaced for me after few days of non-stop news coverage and commentary. I welcome your insights and responses.
How does a Christian respond to the killing of Osama bin Laden this week? More specifically, how does a follower of Jesus, who instructs us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, respond? All week, these questions have been in my head and on my heart. I think it is safe to say we should never celebrate the death of another human being, no matter how evil. Even so, I must admit that while I did not celebrate the news of Bin Laden’s death, at best my emotions have been a mix of something like relief and disquiet.
One way in to this confusing space for me has been to ask, “What will I pray about all of this?” Prayer should express our soul’s deepest desires. Is my deepest desire that Bin Laden and his followers would be killed? If all people, even people like bin Laden, bear the Spirit and image of God, then my answer has to be “no.” I do not want them dead. People like bin Laden are lost; are blind; have allowed the Spirit of God within them to be obscured by hatred, yet they are still, by the Spirit, our brothers and sisters.
Recognizing the One Spirit in us all can lead us to despair that people can become so lost and that so many can be hurt because of their blindness. But awareness of the One Spirit can also lead us to hope for, work for, yearn for and pray for redemption and reconciliation rather than for death. When our deepest desire is for revenge instead of reconciliation, the source of that desire is not the One Spirit, but rather our own fear, anxiety, and insecurity. Led by the One Spirit our deepest desire will be for the redemption of those who are so lost – that they would be found; would see the error of their ways; that the hatred of their hearts could melt away and the light of God could once again begin to shine.
It is hard to image that someone as lost and hate-filled as bin Laden could ever have come to know the error of his ways and repent (turn). Maybe he could not. With the blood of thousands of men, women, children; Christians, Muslims, and Jews on his hands, it seems impossible that he could have ever admitted “I was wrong.” But I am not in the mood to celebrate that his blindness led to his death. I am instead now in prayer that all the world may come to see that we are of One Spirit and that through the One Spirit we all can have true and lasting peace.
