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First Congregational United Church of Christ
ABOUT OUR CHURCH
Welcome! At First Congregational United Church of Christ, we are about welcoming everyone, no matter where you are on your journey. If you have been looking for a community of faith that engages your mind, imagination, heart, and hands, in making a positive difference in our community, or would like your children to grow in their understanding of faith; then please check us out here on our website and join in on the activities we have going on at our church!
OUR OPEN AND AFFIRMING STATEMENT
“We are an inclusive and diverse community of faith, connected by the teachings of Jesus, that call us to accept and love everyone just as they are, regardless of age, race, gender, physical or mental challenges, financial status, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression to build a just world for all, and to serve our community.”
THE ADIMIRATION
SERIES
Meets on Sunday before Worship at 9:30 am.
On Zoom and in person.
This is an interactive series for adults and older youth led by our Intergenerational Education Coordinator, Todd Siefker. Each session is designed to introduce us to ancient and modern Christ-like examples of faithful living. The goal is to will become more like those we admire.
SERVICES
Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Adult Study 9:30 a.m.
HOLY WEEK
Palm Sunday - April 2, 10:30am
Maundy Thursday - April 6, 7pm
Good Friday - April 7, 7pm
Easter Sunday - April 9, 10:30am
For all other activities, click on the Straight to the Point page
From the Bridge Pastor:
Rev. Del Olivier
The Season of Lent continues as Holy Week begins.
The Gospel reading for April 2, Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion, is Matthew 26:14—27:66, the story of Jesus’ triumphal entrance to Jerusalem through His Crucifixion. We will use a reading of those events entitled “Cry of the Whole Congregation” by Walter Wangerin, Jr. This is a paraphrase of the Gospel story which uses selected readers. The congregation reads the part of the Jewish people.
We will gather at 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 6 for our Maundy Thursday worship. Elements of that service include a dramatic reading entitled, “Judas” by Rev. Del Olivier. This is a dialogue between Judas and Satan. Holy Communion will be celebrated. The communion table will be stripped as a remembrance that before Jesus was crucified, he was stripped of his clothing. The congregation members may remain for quiet prayer and reflection and then leave in silence.
We gather again at 7:00 PM on Friday, April 7 for our Good Friday worship. The service begins without a prelude as a continuation of the Maundy Thursday service. The Worship Leader and congregation will read the passion and death of Christ in John 18:1—19:42. Following the praying of the Lord’s Prayer, the congregation members may again remain for quiet prayer and reflection and then leave in silence as we await the celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. Join us in person at 4600 Hamilton Blvd or streaming on our Facebook page.
The Saint John’s Bible. On April 28, 1998, Donald Jackson and Brother Dietrich Reinhard, OSB, signed the contract which officially launched The Saint John’s Bible. Donald used a quill pen and brilliant red ink. Together they embarked on a collaboration which would last almost a decade. The Saint John’s Bible is a modern manuscript book which is written with quills on vellum, using hundred-year-old sticks of ink. The illuminations are made with a combination of ancient and modern techniques. Many monks at the Benedictine Abbey of St. John the Baptist in Collegeville, Minnesota were trained to copy the words from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Each letter was to be made exactly the same by each monk. The project was completed in 2011. Pastor Del owns a copy of “Illuminating the Word: The Making of The Saint John’s Bible” and “Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy,” “Psalms,” and “Gospels and Acts.” They are on display on the table in the narthex. Please feel free to look at them.
In Christ,
Pastor Del
Church Office Hours
Sunday 11:30am-3:30pm
Monday-Thursday 9am-1pm
Pastor's Office Hours
Monday 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm
Tuesday 2pm-5pm
Wednesday 2pm-5pm
Thursday 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm
Directory:
Please fill out the New Church Directory Info Form available below. Completed forms can be sent it to our Church Administrator Michael at our church email -office@firstcongregational.net
Church Surveys:
If you haven't filled out our surveys, please take a few minutes to take our survey and survey on spirituality here online.
COVID-19 NOTICE:
Fully vaccinated people are not required to wear masks in church. We will continue to Live Stream services on Facebook and YouTube streamed live at 10:30a.m. every Sunday morning. You can also find our past services to watch on our page.
