First Presbyterian Church welcomed Dr. Mary Mikhael as our guest preacher at the 8:40 and 11:00 a.m. worship services on October 25, 2009.  Her message is available in audio format from our sermons page. 

Dr. Mikhael has been the president of the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut, Lebanon, since 1994 and is the first woman seminary president in the Middle East. She is also author of the 2009 Horizons Bible Study “Joshua: A Journey of Faith.”  Dr. Mikhael is a graduate of Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary.  In addition to her duties as seminary president, Dr. Mikhael also teaches courses in Christian Education at the NEST.

She has been involved in ecumenical and interfaith activities around the world, and is a noted authority on the Church in he Middle East and the role of women.

Dr. Mikhael also did a presentation, A Common Word from Lebanon, during our education hour about herself and the importance of people of different faiths getting along with each other, particularly in the Middle East. This presentation is available in mp3 audio format.

Our recorder quartet provided worship leadership during our 11:00 a.m. service.  Left to right the musicians are Margaret Bucholz (soprano), Nancy Cinatl (alto), Peter Richey (tenor, partially obscured), and Drew Neff (bass).

In addition, our annual blood drive was held in Stewart Hall from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, in Stewart Hall.  This made it possible for people to donate before or after worship services.  Baked goods were provided for the donors.  We had 38 donations and another four that had to be deferred.  The photo below on the right shows Mary Kinsey and Kathy Paradise donating blood.