First English holds many activities, all of which are open to the community. However, registration or RSVPs may be required for planning purposes and to enable last minute communications should changes occur. Upcoming events:
- Reformation Sunday – Oct 25
- SuperPAC Planning Meeting – Nov 1
- Wreath/Cupcake Dec/Light Supper – Nov 29
- Christmas Decorating – Dec 6
- Christmas Cookie Coffee Hour – Dec 13
- Christmas Decoration Take Down – Jan 10
- SuperPAC Planning Meeting – TBD
- Game Night – Jan 9
- Pancake Coffee Hour “Shrove Sunday” – Feb 7
- Scout Sunday/Souper Bowl of Caring – Feb 14
- Movie Night – Feb 19
- Game Night – Mar 6
- Palm Sunday Prep Easter Eggs – Mar 21
- Easter (Service Project, Egg Hunt, Goodie Bags) – Mar 28
- Movie Night – Apr 9
- Mother’s Day Coffee Hour – May 9
- Pentecost/World Music Sunday/Choir Appreciation Coffee Hour – May 16
- Graduation Coffee Hour – Jun 6
- Father’s Day Coffee Hour – Jun 20
° THURSDAY BIBLE STUDIES THIS WEEK – The 6:30 am study on the book of Romans will meet on September 10 for a Bible Study conference call. To join by phone, call 425-436-6316 and use access number 405041. AND the 1 pm afternoon Bible study meets in the library or online with a study on the epistle of James. See Pastor Sandy for more information.
° ADULT FORUM/SUNDAY SCHOOL COMBINE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE – At 9 am Sunday mornings, all ages are invited to come to the church library to learn about justice and advocacy.
° NON-DENOMINATIONAL CUPCAKE DECORATING AND WREATH MAKING GATHERING – It’s almost that time of year again. We’ll be holding our annual gathering on Sunday December 1st from 5-7pm. You might be celebrating Advent, preparing for Hanukkah or maybe looking forward to the Solstice. Either way, this activity is open to all. The more the merrier! All materials provided including a light soup supper. There is no cost for this event. But you must RSVP so we can have enough materials and food for everyone! Deadline to RSVP is Friday November 27th. Please email davebobart @ gmail.com with any dietary restrictions.
° CHURCH COMMENTS – If you have comments or suggestions for the improvement of First English, please email our mutual ministry head, April Mongan at aprilmongan@gmail.com.
° CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP TIME – Looking forward to Christmas Eve, would you like to continue with the 5 pm and 9 pm worship times or would you prefer one service at 7:30? Please think about it and let Pastor Sandy or Joann know.
° MANNA HOUSE HELP – First English helps out at Manna House (435 E. 25th St.) every THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH from 7:45 am – 10 am. Upcoming assigned days are September 16, October 21, and November 18! If Wednesdays don’t work for you, you can volunteer for another time with this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090448aba92da31-manna)
° SEAFARERS CHRISTMAS SATCHEL HEADS UP – This year, we will again collect items for Christmas bags for seafarers who come to the Baltimore Seafarers International House. If you would like to crochet or knit a cap, patterns are in the church lobby (any color yarn is fine). Scarves are also welcome. Each bag will include socks and a hoodie too – so keep an eye out for sales. In late November, we will collect items and add a few more things (like homemade cookies) and take them to the Seafarers House.
° FOOD FOR GEDCO CARES – We continue to collect items for Cares. Right now, they especially need jam, toilet paper, jam, pet food, oatmeal, pancake mix, syrup, baked beans, coffee (regular household size), deodorant, and shampoo. Drop off donations in one of the labeled boxes near the Tabor building desk or in the church lobby.
° UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS/SAVE THE DATE – Nov. 20-22, 2026 Middle School/High School Retreat (grades 6-12) at Skycroft Retreat Center in Middletown, MD. March 13-14 Seekers Retreat (grades 3-5) at Mar-Lu-Ridge, Jefferson, MD. April 16-18 Middle School Immersion Experience (grades 6-8). June 28-July 3 ELCA Youth Gathering (grades 8-12), Minneapolis, MN.www.youngfaithmatters.com
° CHAIR YOGA CLASS – You are invited to join the chair yoga class that meets at the First English library on Fridays at 1 pm. Free will donations are accepted.
° USHERS NEEDED – We are in need of more people willing to usher (and fill other roles in worship.) Please contact River Cook Needham or Pastor Sandy if you are willing to serve.
Past Events
Shrove Sunday – February 15th
What can be better than pancakes and sausage after church? Mardi Gras decorations? As always, we had a blast with our Shrove Sunday pancake brunch, complete with king cake and mimosas. Many thanks to everyone who participated!
Souper Bowl of Caring/Scout Sunday – February 8th
On Sunday February 8th, we celebrated Scout Sunday with our Cub Scout Pack, collecting donations for GEDCO Cares food pantry, and enjoying a chili lunch. Many thanks to everyone who donated and participated!
200th Anniversary Butterfly Brunch – December 21st
Many thanks to everyone who support and participated in our celebration of our 200 years of community and faith! It was great to see special guests who participated in this special event.
Non-denominational Cupcake Decorating, Wreath Making Gathering and Soup Supper – November 30th
Many thanks to everyone who attended or staff this year’s gathering. We had over 27 people participate. We’re already looking forward to next year!
Movie Nights
First English again hosted movie nights on select Fridays in the church library from 7-10 PM using the 100″ screen. We alternated months with the game nights.
- February 14th – Sleepless in Seattle
- April 25th – Apollo 13
Shrove Sunday – March 2nd
Everyone had a great time on Sunday on March 2nd with our annual pancake breakfast. Pancakes, sausages, fruit salad and beverages were served, along with king cake.
Souper Bowl of Caring and Scout Sunday – Sunday, February 9th
On Sunday February 9th, we celebrated Scout Sunday with our Cub Scouts, Pack 3807, collecting canned goods for the GEDCO Cares food pantry, and enjoyed a chili lunch. Many thanks to everyone who helped out and participated!
Cookies and Cocoa Coffee Hour – Sunday, December 15th
Many thanks to the nine volunteers who prepared a wide variety of treats for the congregation and friends. It was a great way to celebrate the Christmas season. The cookies, cocoa and holiday cartoons were enjoyed by all.
Non-denominational Cupcake Decorating and Wreath Making Gathering – Sunday December 1st – 5-7 PM
Many thanks to everyone who attended or staff this year’s gathering. We had over 40 people participate. The kids were particularly quick this year to decorate their cupcakes, and many Advent/Solstice/Hanukkah wreaths were made. This year’s chicken noodle soup was apparently especially good, and the wassail and hot cider were popular. We’re already looking forward to next year!
Oktoberfest – Saturday October 5th – 12:30 PM – 4 PM
Thanks to all that helped and joined us in the festivities! If you still need to make a payment you can do that by via the online payment form. Questions? Email Dave Bobart at davebobart@gmail.com.
World Potluck Supper – Saturday September 7th – 5-7 PM
Thank you to all who came and shared a dish for the world themed potluck! We all enjoyed some delicious dishes from Eastern Europe, Italy, Mexico, England and the US. The international theme was a great starting point for conversations about each other’s cultural heritage and places that attendees had traveled to.
Church Yard Sale
Many thanks to everyone who donated, helped out and showed up to shop. It was a great day, and even the weather cooperated! We raised $1000 for our high schoolers and their trip to New Orleans for a youth gathering.