American Idol: Karaoke Jam and Ice Cream Social
On Sunday, August 23rd, we will be having an ice cream social and karaoke jam on our labyrinth from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Start practicing in the shower and get
Continue readingOutdoor Worship Service and Blessing of the Animals
On Sunday, August 16th, we will have a special outdoor worship service on the labyrinth. Come and sing camp song favorites as we enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting! Following the
Continue readingEmpty Calories: A Letter from the Pastor
Dear Church Family and Friends, Recently as I was eating a bowl of ramen noodles, I recalled a friend of mine who once caught sight of one of my ramen
Continue readingTrip to India: A Letter from the Pastor
Dear Church Family and Friends, On June 3rd, I board a plane to India where I will spend three weeks. I have been invited to lecture for two of those
Continue readingKeep It Funky: A Rock Star from the 60s Visits First Congregational UCC
On Sunday, we received a visit from a 60s Rock and Roll star. As our announcer Lynn Degerstedt explained, “He’s the one who put rock into rock and roll.” The
Continue readingGardening and the Promise of New Life: A Letter from the Pastor
Dear Church Family and Friends, In a poem entitled “The Garden,” Frances Livingston tells of one man’s path to new life. The man “had slaved away his early youth in
Continue readingCelebrating One of Our Super-Moms
On Mother’s Day, First Congregational UCC honored one of its very own Super-Moms: Ollie Stevens. As the mother of nine children, Ollie has long been known as a legendary mom
Continue readingBirdhouse Contest: A Letter from the Pastor
Dear Church Family and Friends, This past Sunday during the children’s sermon we announced that we are going to have a birdhouse contest! Kids, youth, and adults alike have from
Continue readingSome Unorthodox Advice: A Letter from the Pastor
Dear Church Family and Friends, This Spring season I would like to offer what might sound like unorthodox advice. I recommend that each of you develop “an incurable allergy.” I
Continue readingMovie Plots and Holy Week: A Letter from the Pastor
Dear Church Family and Friends, Movie plots often begin with someone “upsetting the apple cart.” It might be a kidnapping. It might be an assassination attempt. It might be an
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