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First United Church of Oak Park

As an open and affirming church, First United Church of Oak Park located in Oak Park, Illinois. We are an open community united in love and justice.

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  • Decorated church
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    united in love and justice
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    and fellowship
  • food pantry summer
    Reaching out beyond
    our four walls
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    Making a joyful noise

Our New Podcast!

Listen

Worship will be streamed Sunday at 11 a.m. Follow on the First United YouTube channel.
848 Lake Street
Oak Park, IL 60301
708-386-5215

Visitors

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.
Prayer requests:
Send a prayer request 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.
Ongoing — Adult Ed: Introduction to Systemic Racism, via Zoom
Feb. 22-March 29 — Adult Ed: Common Pitfalls in Anti-Racism Work, 7-8:30 p.m., via Zoom
Feb. 28 — Fourth Sunday offering: Lighthouse Foundation

Sign the Virtual Pew Pad

The Nominating Team Wants You!

The Nominating Team is looking to connect people's individual skills with the needs of the church so that we work in community to advance the work, mission, and governance of First United. Where do you see yourself in our life together? You can use your skills and experiences in a new way, or maybe you want to try something different.

Think and pray about those you know and how they might connect, and click on the link below to nominate yourself or others to serve First United on a team or in an elected capacity such as deacon, elder, or on the Nominating Team itself.

Nomination form

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
Wednesdays
— Fostering Connection and Support drop-in via Zoom, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at this link
Feb. 18 to March 25
— Lenten Spirit Circle via Zoom, 7-8:30 p.m.
Feb. 22 to March 1 — Church Picture Directories distributed
March 5-14 — One Earth Film Festival
March 12 — Dinner and a Movie via Zoom, Something the Lord Made, 6 p.m.

See Calendar

Sermon

It's Complicated

Isaiah 40: 21-31

If you told me right now that you no longer believe in God or that you were at least seriously struggling in your relationship with God, I would completely understand. I would hope to listen and hear more, to know the pain and struggle you have felt and hope that you would know you’re not alone.

Yes, I can see how this is one of those times where you might change your relationship status with God to “it’s complicated.” I, too, have been there.

— Alicia Reese

Sermon transcript

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

Read More

Evotional

What Not to Say

Bad things do, in fact, happen to good people. There is no simple moral arithmetic that explains why some people get all the breaks and others have nothing but heartbreak. Living a moral life is not a divine insurance policy to fend off disaster. That’s not how fate and fortune work, I’m sorry to say. Don’t take my word for it, though. That is the whole argument of the book of Job.

Read more on the Evotionals page

Movies that teach how to save the Earth

How can we find solutions to the problems of climate change, environmental justice, fragile ecosystems, and plastic waste? The One Earth Film Festival offers 19 movies, plus works made by student filmmakers, with some answers.

All films will be aired online from March 5-14. Afterward, viewers can participate in Q&A sessions with filmmakers and experts. Topics include the water crisis in Flint, Mich.; ocean plastic pollution; preserving public lands and waters; and species facing extinction. Some films are specifically aimed at younger audiences to inspire the youngest environmental activists.

The showing of the film Gather: The Fight To Revitalize Our Native Foodways, is sponsored by the First United Faith in Action Environmental Justice Team. The film, dealing with food sovereignty among Native Americans, is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, March 6.

Online showings are free, although an $8 donation is suggested. The link below gives more information about the festival, with full descriptions of all films and instructions on how to register.

One Earth Film Festival

Keep up with the latest news at First United.

First United Oak Park

About

Staff
Governance
Church History
Open & Affirming
Our Values
Centennial Celebration
Media Library

Visitors

Join Us for Worship
Connect to the Church
Fellowship Groups
Mission and Outreach

Worship

What to Expect
Music
Special Services
Children in Worship
Sermons
Worship Bulletins
Evotionals
Advent Devotionals
Podcast

Church Life

Children's Ministry
Youth Ministry
Music Ministries
Adult Education
Adult Fellowship
Congregational Care
Serving Opportunities
Women's Retreat

Other

Contact Us
Stewardship
Planned Giving
Mission Partners
How to Get Involved
Mission Calendar

848 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301   |   708-386-5215   |   Contact Us & Directions
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