Highlights
First United Church is closed for indoor worship and other events except the Beyond Hunger food pantry, First United Nursery School, Cluster Tutoring, Boy Scouts, and staff and small-group use for groups no larger than 20 people. Send prayer requests via email to [email protected].
Oct. 17 and 24 — Adult Education: Our Calling, 9:45 a.m.
Oct. 24 — Fourth Sunday Offering for Housing Forward
Oct. 24 — Newcomers Class and church tour, in person, 9:50-10:40 a.m.
Oct. 27 — Newcomers Class via Zoom, 7:30-9 p.m.
Oct. 31 — Newcomers joining Sunday, in person, 8:30 a.m.
Oct. 31 — Church School Halloween
Nov. 7 — All Saints Sunday
Nov. 7, 14, 21 — Adult Education: Lessons We Can Learn from the Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa, 9:45 a.m.
Realm is here!
Church members can check emails to learn how to log in to Realm, the church's new church management application. This new, secure system is user-friendly and will allow users to update their own profiles and search for contacts within the church. Accounts are available for adults and children in 7th grade and up. Thanks to church staff and the Technology Team for their hard work in this transition. If you haven't received an email invitation or the link you received has expired, please email the church ([email protected]).
To learn more about Realm, including how to install Realm Connect on your cell phone, you can watch a series of videos made by Pete Todd on the church's YouTube channel or visit our website Realm page.
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:
Second and fourth Mondays — Prayer Shawl Ministry via Zoom, 10 a.m. at this link
Thursdays — Fostering Connection and Support drop-in via Zoom, 10-11 a.m. at this link
Sundays — Virtual Chapel Prayer after 11 a.m. worship via Zoom, at this link
Oct. 15 — Midpoint ReUNITED, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — Parenting Conversations: Raising Faithful LGBTQ+ Kids and Allies, 9:50 a.m. after worship
Oct. 24 — Peace Vigil, 4 p.m.
Sermon
Reimagining Scripture Through a Different Lens
James 3: 2-12; 4: 11-12
Whenever we read Scripture, it’s important to read it contextually, taking into account the time and place of its original audience and intent. This enables us to take words that may no longer be appropriate or applicable to our lives and context, and rather than try to force them to fit, or force ourselves to try and understand something we aren’t meant to, allows us to glean wisdom and meaning for our context.
— Alicia Reese
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
Evotional
A Real Pickle
Understanding God’s will for us today is more than a question of “what does it say in the Bible?” because the Bible is not a monologue, fixed and eternal. The Bible is an unfolding dialogue. Prophets interpret law, gospels interpret prophets, letters interpret gospels. And we must wrestle with it all.
— John Edgerton
There’s still time to help furnish House to Home kits for Housing Forward families
First United's Housing Justice Team is wrapping up its 8th annual House to Home kit project. People are providing NEW items to furnish five apartments for five families setting up their new homes. Items that are still needed include electric fans, TVs, pots and pans, microwaves, and kitchen and personal toiletry items. You can see the whole list and sign up on the SignUp Genius link below. Items can be shipped to the church; see the SignUp Genius link for more details. All items delivered to the church must arrive no later than Sunday, Oct. 17.
If you prefer, the Housing Justice Team will gladly accept cash donations and do the shopping for you. Click on the church website’s “Give” page and choose “House to Home” in the drop-down menu. Or text FIRSTUNITED to 73256 followed by your gift amount.
SignUp Genius link