Sunday Worship 10:00am
Christian Education for All Ages 11:00am

 

 

News & Announcements...

 

 

Neighborhood Cookout on July 19th

CROP Walk on October 9th

 


Visitor-New Member Luncheons

Are you thinking about membership in our congregation?   Or would you just like to learn more about the ministries and people of First Congregational Church?

 You are invited to join Rev. Bob David for a two-part gathering from12:15 to 2:00pm on Sundays, February 5th and 12th. Youth rooms will remain open for children, and a light lunch will be served for all.  We will also discuss a date to join for those who wish to become members.

 You can sign up by calling the church office at 362-1926, or by letting Rev. Bob know you’d like to attend.

 


 

Sunday School Rotation 3

“Washing Feet” will begin on Sunday, January 15th.  This unit focuses on the story of the Last Supper and Jesus’ hospitality toward his disciples (John 13: 1-17, 34-35).

On January 15th, all students in preschool-4th grade will meet in the Cinema on 3rd floor for an introduction to the unit.  Then, for the next 5 weeks (January 22nd-February 19th), students will learn more about this Bible story and participate in activities that focus on Jesus’ commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you”.

 




Adult Education & Spirituality 2012

We are having an absolutely fabulous year of learning and growing in Adult Education & Spirituality!  If you haven’t been able to join us and you are curious to try us out, now is the time! Please look at what is in store for the next few months. . .

January

8 - Exploring Science & Religion: Is there a friendship between science and religion? Do they complement  one another, rather than being at odds with each other? We will be meeting in the cinema room on the third floor to view a video lecture by John Polkinghorne and a follow up interview of him entitled, "An Afternoon with John Polkinghorne."  There will be a discussion after each segment moderated by Mark Liabo.

15 - Town Hall Meeting

22 - Exploring Science & Religion (Part 2) – Cinema Room, 3rd Floor.

29 - Rev. Dr. Wendell Debner: Discover your Spiritual Type: Have you ever run across people who  claim that their church is “Spirit filled?”  It’s great to hear folks speak enthusiastically about their church, but       often you get the feeling that they think yours isn’t so much.  What does the term   “spirit filled” mean        anyway?  And what’s observable about people’s spiritual preferences?  Rev. Debner will be guiding us through three sessions about the phenomenon of spiritual expression.  The sessions will help us recognize    and appreciate the different types of Spirituality, consider how we can build on these gifts and nurture a    spiritual diversity that will enrich our life and mission. We will identify and describe the major expressions    of Spirituality and provide a self-inventory so that we can better identify and claim our own spiritual gifts    and preferences.

 

February

5 - Rev. Dr. Wendell Debner: Spiritual Types (Part 2) - Fellowship Hall

12 - Rev. Dr. Wendell Debner: Spiritual Types (Part 3) - Fellowship Hall

19 - Town Hall Meeting

26 - Rev. Janice Springer: Learning to Read. Can we read the Bible without falling into the literalism of     conservative Christians or the reductionism of progressive Christians? Can we honor different ways of      reading scripture, letting go of our judgments, finding the gift in each? Can we draw on the many different levels of truth in biblical literature? Can we find ourselves in the ancient stories? Yes! We’ll learn to read     the Bible in ways that are expansive, deep, faithful and life giving. - Fellowship Hall

 

March

4 - Rev. Janice Springer:  Learning to Read (Part 2) - Fellowship Hall

11 - Rev. Janice Springer: Learning to Read  (Part 3) - Fellowship Hall

18 - Town Hall Meeting

25 - Rev. Janice Springer: Learning to Read, with special attention to the Passion story. (Part 4)

 

April

1 - Rev. Janice Springer:  Learning to Read, with special attention to the Passion story. (Part 5)

8 - Easter

15 - Town Hall Meeting

 


2011 Benevolence Contributions

At the end of 2011, benevolence interest in our church's Endowment Fund totaled $3,500 and our church's Women's Fellowship contributed $3,000. These resources were donated to vital community helping organizations in the following amounts:

Community Health Free Clinic   $1,000.00

Linn Community Food Bank       $1,000.00

Willis Dady Emergency Shelter  $   800.00

Waypoint                                   $   500.00

Camp Tanager                        $   500.00

Helping Hands Ministry               $   700.00

Mission of Hope                          $   500.00

Johnson Elementary School       $   450.00

Family Promise of Linn County    $   500.00

Wellington House                         $   250.00

Benevolence Fund                       $   300.00                                                               

Total                               $6,500.00

  


 

~UCC Young Adult Service Communities~

 

United Church of Christ Volunteer Ministries and Wider Church Ministries has year long positions available in the areas of
·          Community Living,
·          Hand-on Justice Advocacy,
·          Leadership Development and
·          Faith Conversation that links local & global mission issues.

The UCC Young Adult Service Community is a national network of service communities hosted in local churches for adults between the ages of 19-30 (summer positions) and 21-30 (year long positions) Coordinated through UCC Volunteer Ministries these positions are open to all applicants of all faith backgrounds. Housing, health insurance and stipend for food and incidental expenses are provided. Participants may also qualify for part-time AmeriCorps Education grants. For more information and on-line application go to  http://wwwucc.org/volunteer/young-adult-service.html .