Sun., Dec. 22, 2024 , 9:40 amSanctuary Join us in the Sanctuary at 9:40 am (before the 10 am worship service) on Dec. 22 to sing some of your favorite Christmas carols, accompanied by Elizabeth Forsyth on the organ.
Dedicate a Memorial Star in Honor of a Loved One
Dedication deadline: on or before Thurs., Dec. 19, 5 pm If you’d like to honor and remember your beloveds this Christmas season in a tangible way, we’re trying something new. We invite you to “sponsor” a star or two on our Christmas service backdrop (see photo). Our youth will write the names of your loved one on a star. All …
Blue Christmas Service
Thurs., Dec. 19, 6:30 pm on the Chancel in the Sanctuary You are invited to a Blue Christmas service, which gives us room to acknowledge grief, overwhelm, loneliness, and other feelings that don’t ordinarily fit into the season of cheer. It will include prayers (silent, written, spoken), Scripture, music, and healing rituals. Also, a link to a do-it-yourself (DIY) version …
Cookies for Cal Students!
Sun., Dec. 15, 10 am – bring cookies to church Help us offer our Cal student neighbors some love during their finals week by bringing cookies to church, Sun., Dec. 15. Please provide a *list of ingredients* and especially mark any gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free cookies for those with allergies or preferences. Drop off your cookies in the Hall of Entrance …
Gift Cards for Our Unhoused Neighbors
This Christmas season, First Church will again provide assistance to our unhoused neighbors. For the past several years, we have assembled Christmas Gift Bags to distribute across our area after the Christmas Eve services. This year, the Justice & Service (J&S) Ministry along with the staff have decided to distribute gift cards to our unhoused neighbors, and you are invited to contribute in two …
Join the “Amazing Family Orchestra” on Christmas Eve!
Tues., Dec. 24, 2024, 4 pmSanctuary Calling all instrumentalists! Join our “Amazing Family Orchestra” as we accompany carols for the 4 pm Christmas Eve family service. The instrumental parts are relatively easy, and we can create sheet music that fits your needs! We’ll rehearse several hours before the service at 2:15 pm. If you haven’t participated in recent years, please …
Advent Retreat 2024 – “Becoming the Light in a Time of Darkness”
Sat., Dec. 14, 9:30 am to 3:30 pmLoper Chapel, Pillar Room Gather with friends to slow down and experience deeper meaning during this season of Advent. Join this year’s day-long Advent Retreat, hosted by Becky Wright & Kerrie Hein, on Sat., Dec. 14 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm (in-person) in Loper Chapel and the Pillar Room. This year’s theme is “Becoming the Light in …
2024 Advent Devotional “The Mess in the Messiah” & Rev. Molly’s Advent Calendar Now Available
This season’s Advent Devotional, entitled The Mess in the Messiah and written by the United Church of Christ’s Stillspeaking Writers’ Group (Rev. Molly is a contributor), is now available! You’ll find print copies in the Hall of Entrance beginning Sun., Dec. 1 while supplies last. If you prefer a digital copy, you can purchase a .pdf here for $3. Copies …
Solar Excitement
— Nick Kukulan, Stewardship, Finance, & Administration Chair; Amare Gebreyesus, Facilities Staff, photos This past week (Nov. 4 – 8, 2024) a large crane lifted bundles of solar panels onto the rooftop top of the new Community Building. The 72 panels are being installed on the roof. Once in operation the panels will send solar generated energy to our one …
February Love Feast & Reunion
Sat. & Sun., Feb. 15 & 16, 2025 — the Sesquicentennial Committee It’s official! In February 2025 we are celebrating our church community’s 150th Anniversary, the Sanctuary’s 100th Anniversary, and finally being in our beautiful new Community Building! The save-the-date info has already been sent to the First Church Diaspora (aka members and staff who have moved away or moved …