First Things First! Monday, November 30, 2020

11.30.2020

First Things First!

A weekly E-newsletter from

The First Church in Oberlin, United Church of Christ

An open and affirming, Just Peace, Green Justice, Global Mission Congregation

No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!

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Worship Resources

What Child is This?

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Second Sunday of Advent

Watching!

All are welcome to join us on Sundays at 10am for live stream worship via Facebook.

If you cannot tune in at that time,

videos are available on the First Church

Facebook page.

FACEBOOK LINK to worship videos

A time for giving

DONATE ONLINE

Announcements and Events

Al Sprague Obituary

Ralph Duey Obituary

Albert Sprague & Ralph Duey

Dear First Church Family and Friends,

Al Sprague died Thursday, Nov. 26 at University Hospitals in Cleveland.

Ralphy Duey died Friday, November 27, at his home. His wife, Aleta, was with him.

Funeral/Memorial/Committal arrangements for Al and Ralph are not known at this time.

Please keep the family and friends of Al and Ralph in your prayers.

Grace and Peace, Rev. David T. Hill

OCS Wrapping Party

Christian Ed is turning our December Friday Night Youth Hangout into a wrapping party - and the whole church is invited! We'll be wrapping our gifts for Oberlin Community Services Helping Hands Drive - make sure you call the church or Denise Scotch to sign up for that!

Once you've done your shopping, we invite you to join us Friday, December 4th at 7 pm on Zoom to see your church family and get those gifts ready to go! We’ll be playing a few games together as a church, and also spending time in breakout rooms so you can visit in small groups with a few other households. Save the date and grab your gifts - and watch this space for the Zoom link next week!

We Need Your Help!

We have several children and families that still need sponsoring for the OCS Holiday Helping Hands event!

You can either call Denise Scotch or the church office to sign up to sponsor a child or family.

Wrapped gifts are due back to First Church no later than Sunday, December 13th.

Presents can be dropped off at First Church during office hours. There is a table set up in the lobby for your convenience.

Thank you for considering sponsoring a child this holiday season and spreading some Christmas cheer!

Our Advent Workshop has gone virtual!

Due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, we've made the difficult decision to have our Advent Workshop experience be completely virtual this year. So, click on the link below to visit our Virtual Advent Workshop and learn about children who embodied the virtues of hope, peace, joy and love, and the Child who is God With Us. The Workshop comes with 5 ornaments to make!

If you would like to hear some children's stories that tie in with our Advent Workshop stations, please visit our Youtube channel by clicking on the Hope candle image in this article!

We are also delighted to share Illustrated Ministry's Advent Wreath with you. Click on the buttons for instructions about how to print and use the wreath. If you feel comfortable, please share a picture of your wreath with the church! We would love to have pictures of your families to share with our church family during this holiday season!

Virtual Advent Workshop

Illustrated Wreath

ADULT EDUCATION

It's not too late to join in our Spiritual Practices classes! We have two Thursday morning sessions left - on December 3rd and 10th. If Thursday mornings are inconvenient for you, each of the self-contained sessions will be recorded and can be watched at your convenience!

Our next session will be held Dec. 3rd at 10 am, and is called "Prayer Practices for People Who Can't Sit Still." Join us for a little chair yoga and body prayer, a virtual labyrinth walk, and make a keychain-style version of prayer beads.

(We have beads to give everyone who's signed up - but sign up soon so we can send them to you in time for class!)

Our final class on Dec. 10th will be about "Dedicated Action and the Practice of Prayer."

Please call Jen in the office (440-775-1711) to sign up for the class, so we can send you the Zoom recording links and any supplemental materials and resources. We look forward to sharing these peace-giving practices with you!

HELPFUL HINTS

as we near the end of the year!

Please keep in mind that USPS mail has been taking a little longer to reach destinations. If you mail your monetary donations to the church, please allow at least one week for the mail to arrive and an additional week for the donation to be processed. Thank you.

First Church Book Group

Book Group is currently exploring books by author, Marilynne Robinson.

Book Group meets each Tuesday at 4pm via Zoom. Please call Marci Peterson at (440) 774-3118 to receive the Zoom invitation or if you have questions. All are welcome.

Additional Links and Information

Oberlin - Covid 19 Updates

Oberlin Business Partnership

Oberlin Community Services

Oberlin Heritage Center

Environmental Dashboard

United Church of Christ

Heartland Conference

Living Water Association

CONSTRUCTION AND COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS

For everyone's safety and well-being:

Worship, meetings and events are being held virtually.
The church building is currently closed to the general public.
Face masks are required in the building.
Office hours are Monday - Friday, 9am - noon, and 1pm - 4pm.

Rev. David T. Hill, Senior Pastor

Jennifer Bertoni, Director of Faith Formation

If you are searching for ways to become more fully engaged in the life of the church, please contact Rev. David T. Hill by calling the church office at (440) 775-1711 or sending an email the church office.

FIRST CHURCH CALENDAR

FIRST CHURCH BIRTHDAY CALENDAR

First Church Anti-Racism Resources

Anti-Racism Statement

Submission information:

Deadline for articles and information is Thursday at 10am. Thank you.