Who We Are
Abington Presbyterian Church, a congregation of
1,000 members, is part of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.). We are a theologically diverse congregation, taking
seriously this declaration of the Presbyterian church drawn up more
than two hundred years ago and now part of its constitution:
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free
from the doctrines and commandments of men... Therefore we consider
the rights of private judgment, in all matters that respect
religion, as universal and unalienable.1
All who seek meaning for their lives or who seek to serve others
in this bewildering and suffering world are invited to be part of
our worship services and activities.
As Christ was embodied in Jesus of Nazareth for thirty-three
years of earthly ministry, He is now wedded to His Church in every
place and time. Thus we, the members of Abington Presbyterian
Church, are called by God to join all Christians representing the
heart, hands and voice of Christ to the world.
Our Newsletter
Abington Presbyterian Church prints a monthly newsletter called
The Inspire. It is available via U.S. mail, email,
and our website. If you would like to read our current
newsletter or back issues, please click here.
Worship is at the heart of the church's life. All that the
church is and does is rooted in its worship.2
Abington Presbyterian Church follows the reformed tradition. "As
Christians we gather in public worship to affirm our belief in God,
to pray, and think together about what it means to live in God's
world as God's children."3 Our worship strives to be
thought provoking with a message based on scripture and enhanced by
our musical talents. The sermon is central to our worship as it
challenges us to reflect God's word in our daily lives.
Participation in worship encourages us to "give generously of our
lives and resources to support the work we believe God wants done
in the world."
Abington Presbyterian offers educational opportunities for all
ages. Preschoolers learn about their faith through
storytelling and song. Elementary students (left)
rotate through different workshops on successive Sundays in a
program that reinforces Bible stories and allows for a broad range
of learning styles. Our 5th & 6th graders take
part in a Bible Survey course covering the Old Testament one year
and the New Testament the next. The Junior High
Church School class and the Senior High Church School
Class, known as Dialogue, (right) includes Bible
study and discussion on how the scriptures relate to their lives.
Students entering ninth grade may participate in the
Confirmation Class. Junior and Senior High
Fellowship also meets on Sunday afternoons for activities
focusing on recreation, service, Bible study and discussion.
Vacation Bible School for children is conducted
each summer.
There is a broad variety of opportunities for Adult
Education. For more information on our extensive Adult
Education opportunities please click on this link.
Fellowship
A wide variety of fellowship opportunities are available,
supporting a sense of community and family. Sunday morning coffee
hour, family socials and other recreational activities occur
throughout the year. Small groups form to fulfill various
interests, such as the Mothers' Discussion Group and the Men's Work
Crew. Larger groups exist to fulfill the special interests of the
congregation, including the Youth and Teen Fellowship (grades
6-12), Summer youth trips (right), Presbyterian Women, book clubs
and study groups.
Music is an integral part of our worship and community at
Abington Church. Vocal and bell choir opportunities exist for
everyone from kindergartners to adults:
- Chime choir (grades K-2)
- Crusader choir (grades 3-6)
- Chapel choir (grades 7-12)
- Chancel choir (adults)
- Crusader Bells (grades 5-6)
- Festive Ringers (Grades 7-12)
- Jubilee Ringers (Adults)
- Celebration Ringers (advanced)
Music at Abington
hosts a series of concerts for the church and community, featuring
the Abington Symphony Orchestra and the Oratorio Choir.
Living our faith challenges us to reach out to others in need in
the local community and the world. Our congregation raised the
funds and participated in the building of a Habitat for Humanity
house in Germantown (left). We joined with seven other houses of
worship to dedicate the site (right) and construct a second
house. Other local projects include supporting Presbyterian
Children's Village and responding to needs in our community such as
homelessness and hunger. World mission support includes
contributions for peacemaking, disaster relief, hunger and medical
benevolence. Our personal commitment to mission includes financial
contributions, gifts of our time and talents, and hands-on mission
work.
Founded in 1714, sixty-two years before the signing of the
Declaration of Independence, Abington Presbyterian Church is the
third oldest Presbyterian church in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. In fact, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John
Adams had not even been born when seventy hearty pioneers banded
together in a primitive settlement to unite in the worship of God.
More
information.
The programs and ministries of the Church and in the community
make "Old Abington Church" as much a force today as it was in its
early years.
1 The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.). Part II, Book of Order, G-1.0301
2 Book of Common Worship, The Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.), preface, p.1
3 Buchanan, John M., Being Church, Becoming
Community, 1996, John Knox Press, p. 88