Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

On Super Bowl Sunday, the youth of the First Presbyterian Church, 54 East Corydon Street, will be collecting monetary donations and non-perishable food items from members and friends for “Souper” Bowl of Caring. The “Souper” Bowl of Caring program began in 1990 in a South Carolina Presbyterian Church with a simple prayer to remind those who enjoy the Super Bowl to remember those who do not even have a bowl of soup to eat. They invited other congregations across the country to join them in collecting money to be donated to local charities and soup kitchens. For this year’s game, according to the National Retail Federation Super Bowl Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, average viewer spending will increase slightly from last year and total spending is expected to reach $14.3 billion. For over two decades, America’s youth has participated in this national “Souper" Bowl of Caring prog...

Members of the Cadeonian Pipes and Drums from Buffalo, New York, visited the First Presbyterian Church in Bradford Sunday for the annual Kirkin' o' the Tartans worship service. The Scottish ceremony is a gathering of the tartans for the blessing of the church. Sunday was also Reformation Sunday. Photo courtesy of Jerry Harvey The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford at 54 East Corydon Street will celebrate a legendary Scottish tradition known as the “Kirkin o’ the Tartans“ at the 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday. Members of the Caledonian Pipes and Drums from Buffalo, New York, will participate in the service, playing music of Scotland. In addition to the Caledonian Pipes and Drums, Regina Gabriel, director of music at the church, will provide organ music of the traditional style. The roots of this unique worship reach back to the 18th century. A kirk is a Scottish word for church and a tartan is the traditional pattern of unevenly spaced stripes crossing at right angles woven into a woolen fabric that distinguishes the various Scottish clans. Each clan had its own design and was worn with pride, often as a kilt, to identify the wearer’s heritage. The Scottish ceremony is a gathering of the tartans for the blessing of the church. This celebration is recognition of national heritage and offers an o...

The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford, 54 East Corydon St., will hold services during next week, Holy Week, in the celebration of Easter. Palm Sunday will be observed this coming Sunday during both Chapel service at 8:45 am and Sanctuary service at 11:00 am. On this Sunday, Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem the week before his death and resurrection. For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday (often referred to as “Passion Sunday”) marks the beginning of Holy Week which concludes on Easter Sunday. Maundy Thursday will be observed on Thursday, April 17th, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a choral meditation by the Cathedral Choir. The Tenebrae Service (service of darkness) will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will include the Sacrament of Communion. This service serves as a remembrance of the last time the disciples met with their Lord, bringing to mind the reality of him accepting the disciples’ flight, the hate of his enemies, and his forthcoming death ...

Everyone is invited to attend the sixth presentation of the Southern Tier Symphony’s " Bach’s Lunch, " concert April 15 at 1 PM at the First Presbyterian Church, 54 East Corydon Street, Bradford. " This concert is co-sponsored by the Greater Olean Association of Churches, and was started as a way to provide a unique opportunity to ‘pause for reflection’ during Holy Week. Everyone is welcome and we don’t require a ticket, although a free will offering is received. It allows us to ‘give back’ a little to the wonderful community that supports us, ” said Betsy Cashing, President of the Southern Tier Symphony Board of Directors in a news release sent to WESB. The Southern Tier Symphony will complete its 11th season in May and has delighted audiences in the area. Each concert employs 50 – 65 musicians primarily from Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania. Musicians from Toronto, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Binghamton, and Rochester also come to perform. " Bach’s Lunch " ...

The Bradford man accused of breaking into two churches, a school and the Farm Family Restaurant has waived his preliminary hearings today. 19-year-old Derek Steck is charged with burglary and related offenses for breaking into St. Bernard’s Church, the First Presbyterian Church, The Learning Center and The Farm back in January. He remains jailed on $150,000 bail. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The First Presbyterian Church, 54 East Corydon St., will sponsor a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, March 1, 2014, from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. in the church auditorium. The dinner will include spaghetti and meatballs, salad, Italian bread, dessert, and beverages. The dinner will be prepared by chefs Jim Danias, Dick Cavallero, Tom Bowes, and Larry Puller. The cost of the dinner is $7.00 for adults, $3.00 for children ages 6 – 11, and free for children 5 years of age and younger. Tickets may be purchased from any First Presbyterian Church Middle or Senior High student. Tickets may also be purchased in the church office during the week, or by calling the church at 362-5569 no later than Monday, February 24. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door. Take-outs will be available. The Christian Education committee and the youth of the church are hosting this fundraiser dinner and proceeds will benefit the Camp, Retreats, and Conferences Scholarship Fund. The news leade...

City police are investigating a string of burglaries that happened between 10 o’clock last night and 2 o’clock this morning, and may include another break-in on Sunday. The overnight burglaries happened at the First Presbyterian and St. Bernard’s Catholic churches on East Corydon Street as well as the Farm Restaurant on East Main Street. Police say each of the burglaries involved forced entries into the buildings and property was taken. City police have also been investigating a similar type burglary Sunday at The Learning Center on Jackson Avenue. As with the other burglaries, force was used to enter the building and minor damage was done, assistant chief Mike Ward said in a news release. Police say they have no indication whether the commercial burglaries are related to the recent string of occupied home burglaries, the news release said. They are asking all residents and business owners to continue to check their doors, windows and other access points to make sure they are secur...

The Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held at 7 o'clock tonight in the First Presbyterian Church, 54 East Corydon St., Bradford. This year’s theme is “ Peace,” and will feature speakers representing the Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Christian faiths. This annual event has become an inspirational service during the approaching Thanksgiving time of year with significant messages being shared. A special choir presentation will be performed by members of area churches and will include St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church, Emanuel Lutheran Church, Church of the Ascension, and First Presbyterian Church. Choir members from St. Francis Catholic Church, Hill Memorial United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, and First Methodist Church have also been invited to participate. The choir will be directed by Bill Howe. Regina Gabriel, director of music and organist of the First Presbyterian Church, will be the organist. Child care will be available for small children. A reception will...

The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford at 54 East Corydon Street will celebrate a legendary Scottish tradition called the “Kirkin ‘o’ the Tartans“ at the 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday. Members of the Caledonian Pipes and Drums from Buffalo, New York, will participate in the service, playing music of Scotland. In addition to the Caledonian Pipes and Drums, Regina Gabriel, director of music at the church, will provide organ music of the traditional style. The roots of this unique worship reach back to the 18th century. A kirk is a Scottish word for church and a tartan is the traditional pattern of unevenly spaced stripes crossing at right angles woven into a woolen fabric that distinguishes the various Scottish clans. Each clan had its own design and was worn with pride, often as a kilt, to identify the wearer’s heritage. The Scottish ceremony is a gathering of the tartans for the blessing of the church. This celebration is recognition of national heritage and offers an op...

The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford, 54 East Corydon St., will hold services during next week, Holy Week, in the celebration of Easter. Maundy Thursday will be observed on Thursday, March 28th, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a choral meditation by the Cathedral Choir. The Tenebrae Service (service of darkness) will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will include the Sacrament of Communion. This service serves as a remembrance of the last time the disciples met with their Lord, bringing to mind the reality of him accepting the disciples’ flight, the hate of his enemies, and his forthcoming death on the cross, that his people might be saved. Maundy comes from the word mandatum (mandate), at the beginning of the prayer for washing feet, commemorating Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet. Easter Sunday will be celebrated on March 31st during the Chapel Service at 8:45 a.m. and the Sanctuary Service at 11:00 a.m., commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus. All are welcome to attend these serv...

The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford, 54 East Corydon St., will be hosting a “Bach’s Lunch” concert on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the church sanctuary. This free concert has been held annually for several years and will again be performed by the Southern Tier Symphony Chamber Strings. This Holy Week concert offers those attending time to relax and reflect while enjoying the extraordinary music of this excellent ensemble. All are welcome to attend this concert, free of charge, and invited to bring a sandwich and a friend or two, taking the time to feed both body and soul during this Holy Week. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford, 54 East Corydon Street, announces the 2012 Christmas Eve worship service schedule. A Communion and Candlelight Service will be celebrated on Christmas Eve, beginning with special music of the season by the Cathedral Choir at 6:30 p.m. under the direction of Regina C. Gabriel, the church’s director of music and organist. The traditional service of worship will begin at 7:00 p.m. Child care will be available for infants and children from birth through kindergarten in the church’s nursery during the Christmas Eve service. All are welcome to attend. For more information, visit www.presbybradford.org . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The First Presbyterian Church, 54 East Corydon St., will sponsor a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, November 3, 2012, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. or until gone, in the church auditorium. The dinner will include spaghetti and meatballs, salad, Italian bread, dessert, and beverages. The dinner will be prepared by chefs Jim Danias, Dick Cavallaro, and Larry Puller. The cost of the dinner is $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for children ages 5 – 12, and free for those 4 years of age and younger. Tickets are not needed, but reservations would be greatly appreciated by calling the church Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. at 362-5569, or by stopping in at the church office, no later than Friday, November 2nd. The Christian Education committee of the church is hosting this fundraiser dinner and proceeds will benefit the Camp Scholarship Fund.

The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford, 54 East Corydon Street, will begin the 2012-2013 Sunday School year on Sunday, September 9, 2012. Classes for children and youth ranging from nursery through senior high school will start at 9:30 a.m. each week. An adult education class taught by the Rev. Lee Beckes will begin at 9:45 a.m. The children and youth classes will be using the “Grow, Proclaim, and Serve” curriculum by Cokesbury Publishing for the Sunday School year. Classes, which meet weekly, will include a Bible lesson, craft activities, and music. A “tailgating” party will be held in the church parking lot on the first day of Sunday School and will include singing favorite “Sunday School” songs, face painting, a ‘fan’ making craft, and ice cream sandwiches. A Chapel worship service is held each Sunday at 8:45 a.m., and a Sanctuary worship service will begin at 11:00 a.m. For additional information contact the Christian Education office, or church office at the First Presbyt...

The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford, 54 East Corydon Street, will be sponsoring a Lenten Luncheon Studies Series each Wednesday during Lent, beginning February 29th, from 12:10 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. This series will continue through April 4, 2012. This Studies Series will be led by Rev. Lee Beckes of The First Presbyterian Church and Rev. Stacey Fussell of The Church of the Ascension. Participants are invited to bring a brown bag lunch and beverages will be provided. Lent, in the Christian tradition, is the period leading up to Easter. Lent is a time of sacrifice for Jesus and is the traditional time for the preparation of the believer through prayer, penitence, and self-denial, leading to the annual commemoration of Holy Week, culminating in Easter. Conventionally, Lent is described as being forty days long, representing the time that Jesus spent in the desert before beginning his public ministry. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact the church or visit www.pres...

The youth of the First Presbyterian Church, 54 East Corydon Street, along with several University of Pittsburgh at Bradford students, will be collecting donations from members and friends at the church for the “ Souper “ Bowl of Caring on Sunday. This program began with a simple prayer a number of years ago reminding those who enjoy the Super Bowl game to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat. This prayer inspired a single church in South Carolina to invite other congregations to join in collecting money to be donated to local charities and soup kitchens that provide assistance to those in need. For over two decades, America’s youth has participated in this national program to raise funds for local organizations helping people in need. National efforts are made on the Super Bowl weekend, as well as weeks surrounding it, to make it a large celebration of giving and serving others. Participating in the program since 2000, the First Presbyterian Church of Bradford has col...