Highlights
First United Church is closed for worship and other events except the Beyond Hunger food pantry, First United Nursery School, and some staff use.
Send prayer requests via email: Send in a prayer request in advance of Sunday's streamed worship service to [email protected].
Need assistance or a mask? Church members are available to run errands for those unable to leave their homes and to sew and deliver masks for those who need one. Contact Alicia Reese if you need help or are willing to volunteer.
Nov. 29 — Advent begins
Dec. 7-Jan. 11 — Zoom Advent book group discussion, All I Really Want, 9-9:45 a.m. Mondays
Evotional
Walking Around in the Dark
One part of having a young child at home is that I often need to go rub her back when she wakes up in the middle of the night. Or give her a sip of water. Or cover her with a blanket. Or give her a favorite stuffed animal. And since I’m doing those things in service of helping her sleep, all of it has to be done without turning on the light. ...
Psalm 119 reminds me that when I am (metaphorically) walking around in the dark, I should turn on the lights. That is, I should turn to God. I should open my Bible and read, I should get on my knees and pray, I should quiet my talkative mind and just listen.
— John Edgerton
Calendar
During this time of social distancing, First United is offering online fellowship and events through YouTube, Facebook, and Zoom. Here's how to join in the life of the church:
Sundays — Deacon-led prayer availability via Zoom, 10 minutes after worship at this link
Second and fourth Mondays — Prayer Shawl Ministry via Zoom, 10 a.m. at this link
Nov. 29 — Virtual Interfaith Prayer Service in solidarity with Palestinian people, 5 p.m.; registration at this link
December Thursdays — Christmas movie nights
Dec. 12 — Sing We Joyous 2020 at Home, 7:30 p.m.
Sermon
Divine Anger
Psalm 90
If there are conditions in the world that prevent some of our human kindred from flourishing, then we are right to be angry about that. We are justified in being angry when we are nine months into a deadly pandemic and there is still no national strategy beyond hoping it will just go away like magic. When millions struggle simply to be able to eat, when pollution means my grandchildren will not enjoy the same beautiful world I do. These are the things that ought to make us angry, because they make God angry, too.
— John Edgerton
About Us & Registration Forms
Messenger Bell
Weekly Bulletins
Church School Registration
Youth Group Registration
Online Giving
First United Mission Partners
First United Nursery School
Annual Report 2020
First United Strategic Plan
Centennial booklet
Chapel window booklet
Poetry booklet
Mission Calendar
Information for newcomers
Sing We Joyous 2020 at Home: Celebrating 15 years of Christmas cheer on Dec. 12
The annual holiday spectacular is back in a special online edition! Join all the regulars — the Oriana Singers, City Voices, Pro Musica Youth Chorus, and the Sing We Joyous Orchestra, all directed by Bill Chin — on YouTube. You’ll hear traditional features like “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Variations on Deck the Hall,” but also lots of new stuff, including a gorgeous rendition of “The Gift of the Magi” and a hilarious silent film version of “The Night Before Christmas.” And it wouldn’t be Sing We Joyous without a special version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Plus sing-along carols and fruitcake ... how can we fit all that into one show?
Join the musical gang for the premiere at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Normally, we rely on ticket income to make Sing We Joyous happen, but this year we hope you'll make a donation to help us meet costs and to ensure the return of the live show next year. Click the link below to RSVP; you’ll get a URL via return email on Friday, Dec. 11, to watch the show that Saturday evening — or anytime after the debut!
