Worship at 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. and Ministry of Last Things Forum at 9:15 a.m.

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Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, 1606-1669. The Return of the Prodigal Son,

from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2025

WORSHIP AT 8:30 AND 10:30 a.m.

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Everything in Between: Lost and Found

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32


This Lent, we are letting the Gospel of Luke guide us. We join Jesus as he “sets his face towards Jerusalem.” During these weeks we are reflecting on the stories and parables that defined Jesus’ final chapter in ministry. This week’s Scripture reading is the parable of the prodigal son and his older brother, and their father’s love for both. It’s a story about reconciliation, God’s open arms, and the mercy that welcomes us home.

08:30 a.m. | Worship Service – Chapel


09:15 a.m. | Forum: MLT, Roots, Fruits & Seeds Part 2 – Standish Room


09:30 a.m. | Combined Joyful Noise and Faith Singers Rehearsal – Chapel


09:45 a.m. | Chancel Choir Rehearsal – Sanctuary


10:30 a.m. | Worship – Sanctuary | Online

10:30 a.m. | Our toddlers and preschoolers start in the Toddler Room for play,

10:30 a.m. | a story, and a simple snack.

10:30 a.m. | Elementary and youth will meet in worship and be dismissed for Serve Sunday.

10:30 a.m. | Parents can pick up their children in the chapel.


11:45 a.m. | Forum: Becoming Active Allies – Standish Room


11:45 a.m. | Coffee Hour – Plymouth Hall


05:00 p.m. | Youth Group Movie Night with Pizza – Grace Gallery



HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

Fellowship of the Grape

Today, 3/28 at 6:00 p.m. | 287 Pearl Street, Boulder

Our first spring FOG will take place on March 28th, 6:00-8:00 p.m., at Louisa Young's. Louisa requests that you bring a wine of your choice to share. Come meet some of our new members and enjoy catching up with friends! As usual, couples bring a hearty appetizer and a bottle of wine to share; singles bring either. Non-alcoholic beverages will be supplied. All must be over 21. Please note that parking is very limited; please consider carpooling. See you there!

Boulder Threshold Singers Concert

Saturday, 3/29 at 4:00 p.m. | Sanctuary

A Gift of Song. We are the Boulder Threshold Singers. 16 women providing songs of comfort with soft harmonies. We also will be singing some upbeat songs that we all need for these times. There will be opportunities to sing with us. We hope you will feel connected to your fellow community members. There are many chapters throughout the world. Register here or email petersen0068@gmail.com.

Roots, Fruits, and Seeds, Part 2

Forum by Ministry of Last Things | Standish Room

Sunday, 3/30 at 9:15-10:15 a.m.

Join us as we continue to reflect on our Spiritual Legacies. In Part 2 of this series, we dig a little deeper into our own values as we share stories and consider the gift of our Spiritual Legacies. What is it we want to pass on? What don’t we want to pass down? Join us as we look at Roots, Fruits, Compost, and Seeds of our lives.

Becoming Active Allies

Forum by Racial Justice Ministry | Standish Room

Sunday, 3/30 at 11:45 a.m.

What does it mean to be an active ally? The Racial Justice Ministry hosts a facilitated conversation as we prepare for worship with Dr. Reiland Rabaka on April 6. We invite you to listen to an episode of Dr. Rabaka's podcast, The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy, where he takes a deep dive into the meaning of allyship – breaking down the difference between reactive and proactive allies, the role of self-transformation in social change, and the need for radical, authentic allyship in dismantling systems of oppression.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Lenten Concert Series

Thursday, 4/3 at 6:00 p.m. | Sanctuary

Join us in the Chapel for our next Lenten Concert, featuring our very own pianist Kajsa Teitelbaum and soprano Ekaterina Kotcherguina. Praised for her “fresh and exuberant” stage presence, Ekaterina is a frequent vocalist in our worship services and has performed with the Longmont Symphony, Boulder Bach Festival, and more. Don’t miss this beautiful evening of music and reflection!

Everything In Between: A Lenten Devotional

Art, poetry, Scripture, and written reflections invite you to look, read, pray, reflect, and enter more deeply into the Scripture texts and themes of our Lenten series. A Sanctified Art collaborative creators have provided a special e-reader version, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices. A collection of 52 Daily Devotional Cards for Ash Wednesday through Easter are also available. Each card has a question for reflection, and a short prayer. Pick up a set of cards in the Narthex or the Link. 

Worship and Conversation

with Dr. Reiland Rabaka

Sunday, 4/6 at 10:30 a.m. | Sanctuary and Online

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Reiland Rabaka as our preacher on April 6, 10:30 a.m. worship. Dr. Rabaka is the Founder and Director of the Center for African & African American Studies at CU Boulder, Professor in the Ethnic Studies Department, a national and international lecturer, frequent commentator in the media, author of 19 books, a poet, and a musician.


Following worship and his sermon on “Agape: A Biblical Blueprint for Building the Beloved Community,” Dr. Rabaka will join us for a congregational conversation.

Forum: Gun Violence Prevention Legislative Update

Sunday, 4/6 at 9:15 a.m. | Standish Room and Online

Please join the Gun Violence Prevention (GVP) Ministry for a forum led by Peter Gurfein of Giffords Gun Owners for Safety, a group focused on common sense gun safety legislation and responsible gun ownership. Peter keeps close tabs on GVP legislation in the Colorado legislature. He is returning after our November forum and will bring us up to date on the status of legislation in the 2025 session. For more information contact Carol Young. Childcare provided.

Sign-Up for a Pick a Party Youth Fundraiser

Sign-up Starts Sunday, 4/6 at 9:15 a.m. in the Link

Our High School Youth headed to Fort Worth in June to work with organizations focused on Food Insecurity. To financially support their trip, you can sign up for one or more parties hosted by church members. Enjoy a Paella Dinner, an Indian Dinner, a July Picnic at Artist's Point, a Parents Night Out, a evening of Board Games or Puzzles, or a Jazz Concert. Check out the table in the Link on 4/6 to make your reservation. There'll be an online Auction as part of this fundraising effort too! Watch for details of that coming soon!

Fellowship Hour Needs Your Help

Each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. | Sign Up Here

Each Sunday after worship we meet in Plymouth Hall (or The Link on Soup Kitchen Sundays) for a time of fellowship, coffee and treats. Please consider providing 2-3 dozen baked or packaged cookies, or 2 loaves of fruit breads or 20-30 pieces of coffee cake, etc.… to be shared at Fellowship Hour. Contact Wendy Hall if you have questions or are unable to sign up using the link. Thanks for sharing your sweet love with one another!

Free Book Exchange

Do you have some favorite reading materials to share on religion, spirituality, or topics that support our faith in action and social justice commitments? Please consider donating books or periodicals that represent our collective faith journeys to the greater church community. Jane Thomas and Pat Whitaker are organizing a free book exchange:

a bookshelf in the south entryway to Plymouth Hall, and a Book Nook under the west side stairs. For questions and donations, please contact Jane Thomas or Patricia Whitaker.


HOLY WEEK

Easter Flowers – Dedications and Memorials

As we prepare to celebrate Christ's resurrection on Easter we are accepting donations for the display of Spring potted plants for the chancel on Easter Morning. You can dedicate flowers In Honor of or In Memory of or you can give anonymously with no message. You can also donate a plant to be given as a Grace Gift. The donation for each plant is $25. Orders can be placed until Sunday, April 13. If you have questions, please contact Julie Griffitts.

Holy Week Worship

Palm Sunday, April 13

8:30 a.m. Worship – Chapel

10:00 a.m. Blessing of the Palms on Pine Street

10:30 a.m. Worship – Sanctuary and Online


Maundy Thursday, April 17

5:30 p.m. A Service of Shadows with Holy Communion – Chapel

7:00 p.m. Mozart’s Requiem – Sanctuary and Online

 

Good Friday, April 18

6:00 p.m. Good Friday Service of Prayer – Chapel

 

Easter Sunday, April 20

9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary (and online at 11:00 a.m.)

Extended Musical Preludes at 8:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.


A festive fellowship hour is held between the services. Childcare

for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers during worship is available. 

The Mental Health Ministry of First Cong wants to remind you…

Wonder How You Can Help on Sundays?

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