First Things First!
A weekly E-newsletter from
The First Church in Oberlin, United Church of Christ
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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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March 7 @ 10am
Holy Communion Sunday
Please have elements ready to use during the service.
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Thank you for your donations. |
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LENT 2021
In Lent, we reflect on Christ’s ministry, death, and resurrection. We slow down, and examine our internal spiritual lives as well as the way we live out our Christian faith in the world. Our faith teaches us that humans were put on this earth with the responsibility to be stewards.
We also know our individual as well as collective U.S. lifestyles have led to serious harm to God’s good creation. This Lenten reflection and action guide will help individuals take time to learn, reflect, repent, ask God for forgiveness, and take concrete steps to change course.
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Getting Better Acquainted
Have you become a part of the First Church extended family since the onset of the pandemic? Are you looking to enrich your relationship with the Pastor and members of the congregation? Do you have questions about the mission and ministry of First Church – or just what in the world we’re all about as a people of faith? Would you welcome some interaction beyond the limits of the Sunday worship livestream? If you’re not already a member of First Church we invite you to join Pastor David Hill, a few members of the congregation, and fellow “newbies” for some informal conversation via Zoom on Sunday, March 7 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Pre-register for this event by clicking on the link below.
Whether you've become connected to us via our remote worship and faith formation opportunities or were relatively new to First Church pre-COVID you are welcome to participate. We look forward to getting better acquainted.
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Friday Night Hangout
Join us March 5th at 7 pm for our Friday Night Hangout!
We'll play some games on the themes of Lent (no, really!) and St. Patrick's Day!
Extra points if you wear purple or green!
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- K-5 Sunday School: 9-9:30 am Sunday mornings
- 5-12 Sunday School: 11:30-noon Sunday mornings (Hot Topic on the 4th Sunday)
- Storytime: 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 4pm
- Friday Night Hangouts: First Friday at 7 pm
- Adult Education: Thursdays @7pm February 25th - March 25th
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K-5th Grade PASSCODE: 988153 |
5th-12th Grade PASSCODE: 7751711 |
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Our next Story Time is Thursday, March 11th at 4:00 pm. Join us for a few books about St. Patrick's Day and Ireland! |
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First Church Book Group
The Book Group is reading and discussing The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss.
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.
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I miss
my First Church friends more than I can say.
Can I get an Amen?
What do you say we all get together for some fellowship right after the church service -- on Zoom, of course!
The Fellowship Committee is going to give this a try, as soon as the worship service ends, on March 14, 21 and 28.
Please feel free to join one, or all three. If these gatherings can give us a little of the fellowship we're longing for, we'll think about continuing them after Easter.
- Sarah Colson, Fellowship Chair
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Join us in Lent for "Wilderness Wanderings"
Our March 4th session of Wilderness Wanderings features guest speaker David Snyder on the topic of adolescence.
David is a retired Clinical Counselor and Licensed Play Therapist, and lives in Oberlin.
Please join us for this discussion of how we can currently support adolescents in our families and neighborhoods.
Our remaining sessions will be:
March 11th - Food and Drink in the Wilderness
March 18th - Trust
March 25th - Desert Spirituality
Join us Thursday evenings at 7 pm!
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Did you know...
that our Association has its own school?
NEOSOM (the NorthEast Ohio School of Ministry) offers classes to pastors and lay people alike in subjects like Stewardship, Hymnody, Spiritual Disciplines, and UCC History and Polity. Some students come to NEOSOM as part of a journey to authorized ministry in the church. Others come to broaden their knowledge of the faith, and use that knowledge in a variety of lay ministries.
We shared a testimonial from a NEOSOM student on Sunday, and you can re-watch that video by clicking on the link. To see more testimonials from other students, hear a message from the dean, and learn how to register for classes, please visit https://livingwaterone.org/neosom-school-of-ministry/ .
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Additional Links and Information |
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As we grieve the milestone of over 500,000 deaths due to COVID-19 in the United States, we hope our prayer service, “Words of Comfort, Prayers for the People,” helps to sustain and encourage you during this time of mourning and continued struggle due to the pandemic. |
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A SPECIAL VIRTUAL GENERAL SYNOD 33
Join us July 11 – 18, 2021
Registration is now open. Read a welcome message and download the General Synod 33 Agenda at a Glance! This virtual event is open to anyone who would like to attend!
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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.
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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.
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Submission information:
Deadline for articles and information is Thursday at 10am. Thank you.
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