Read Treasurer Jennifer Jones' February 2026 report here.

Worship, April 5

Easter Sunday

With majestic festival music - brass, handbells, organ, piano, flute, and voice - we herald the Day of Resurrection!

Peter realized, after baptizing a Gentile household, that he had a whole new religion on his hands. The message of the day will take us back to the radical shift in the disciples' spiritual outlook which took place because of Jesus rising from the dead... and how it may lead to our own change in perspective.

The morning's activities also include an Easter Egg hunt as part of Kids' Church and (in worship) our annual remembrance of Baptism.

Scripture: Psalm 118; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 28:1-10

Liturgist: Laurel Hayes

Message of the Day: "Finding Religion"

Bring Your Favorite

Coffee Cake

for Easter Sunday!

This Easter Sunday, we will continue our tradition of sharing coffee cakes during Coffee Fellowship! Please bring a favorite coffee cake pre-plated and ready-to-serve, so that it can go straight to the serving table in Memorial Hall when you arrive. We encourage you to remember, more can enjoy it, if it does not include nuts, including coconut!

Good Friday Blues, April 3 (Tonight!)

Jazz Lamentation: "Can We Change?"

This year's Good Friday Blues, TONIGHT at 7pm, introduces us to Niki and Ari - two local authorities who have just witnessed a traumatic event that makes them wonder whether they could have done anything to prevent it.

Major questions about faith and responsibility, guilt and grace tinge their conversation as they process what has happened. And it all arises in the Shadow of the Cross.

Thanks to those who have volunteered to assist the Oîkos Ensemble in this provocative and poignant presentation!

Flowers for Jubilee Garden Cross, April 4-5

You may have noticed the draped cross that has been in the Jubilee Garden throughout the season of Lent. After Maundy Thursday’s service with Sts. Clare & Francis Church, the drape will be removed. This will leave a wire mesh on the cross where the beams meet. From morning on Saturday, April 4, until the time of worship on Easter Day, April 5, members and friends are encouraged to bring their favorite flowers which they can place in the mesh, to decorate the cross with symbols of resurrection and renewal.

Sts. Clare & Francis Ecumenical Catholic Church invites you to take part in their Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 4 at 7:00PM, which begins in the Jubilee Garden (weather permitting) with the lighting of the Paschal Fire and the procession of the light of Christ up to their worship space in the William E. Sample Chapel. The evening of singing, reading, praying, and eucharist celebrates Christ's resurrection overnight from Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday, and ends with a bit of a party.

Annual Reports Due,

ASAP

If you're the chair of a Committee or Ministry of First Church, or the head of a church organization, please make sure to email Adam as soon as possible. If you're struggling with what to write, take Linda Kopetti's advice: "What would you want your group to know about this year, five years from now?" You're also welcome to contact Adam with any questions. Please direct emails to Adam to admin@firstchurchwg.org.

Benevolence 2026, May 2

Purchase tickets by April 15

The 2026 Gala of Grace is fast approaching! This will be a fun and festive Derby Day party. Tickets are now on sale. You may purchase yours on Sundays in the narthex or in Memorial Hall, or online here. The deadline for reservations is April 15.

If you are interested in donating time, a product, or a service to the Gala, please do the following, also by April 15:

• Contact Nancy Rudolph or Laura Cooper to offer items for the Giving Tree. 
• Contact Rosemary Hensley to offer know the details of the “Baskets” being offered for the Auction. 
• Rosemary also needs to know about all Sign-Up opportunities being offered this year by April 15.
• Cathy Buerk will be asking for help with the set up and clean up for this event.
• Church bakers will also need volunteers to provide layer cakes for the dessert following the evening meal catered by Orlando Gardens.

AND, get your Derby Day Hat ready for the Derby Hat competition! The elaborate hats will be like moving decorations to make Memorial Hall look like a true party venue!

More details will be available nearer the event. But the help of all is requested to make this successful. Part of the ticket price is a contribution, but the greatest contribution is your presence at this joyous, meaningful social event!

Thanks to Alex Schubert for creating the logo for Benevolence 2026!

Yoga Class Cancelled, April 22

Yoga with Jeanene will take place on April 8 and April 15. It is cancelled on April 22, but will resume on April 29.

Thank you to Doug Miller for bringing this to our attention. To see if you qualify for membership in the Webster Groves Community Lady Trust, check their website.

A MESSAGE FROM GATEWAY ONA -

Day of Silence is coming up on Friday, April 10th, and Gateway ONA encourages all member Congregations to participate! Here's information from the student organization, Glisten -

2026 marks the 30th year of the first Day of Silence. Originally held by students at the University of Virginia, in response to the bullying and harassment of LGBTQ+ students, it has grown to a national day of action pushing back against the silencing of LGBTQ+ youth and the erasure of their experiences.

During Day of Silence, you can wear a button or sticker to show that you’re participating. If someone asks why you’re not talking, you can hand out a sticky note with information about why you’re participating and how they can get involved. These items are available in the Glisten Shop.

For more ways to participate in Day of Silence, visit glisten.org/dayofsilence.

Emma Pope, a Girl Scout and UCC member is working on a Gold Award project at Camp MoVal, which will be a series of benches in tribute to the decommissioned Camp Tambo, no longer part of our outdoor ministries. She is seeking donations and inspiration. To learn more, click here or on the accompanying image.

Sunday Volunteers

Please consider signing up for one or more of the following opportunities. The names of the opportunities are links to Google Sheet signups.

Worship staff will provide training:

Liturgist

Slideshow Presenter

A/V Volunteer

MEAL-A-MONTH

March Shopping List

Canned Ham • Macaroni and Cheese • Canned Green Vegetable (low or no salt)• Canned Fruit in own juices • Powdered Milk, shelf stable milk, soy milk

Toothbrushes • Tooth Paste • Dental Floss

What’s Going on at First Church

For a complete calendar of all church events and building use,

please click here for our online calendar.

Thursday, April 2

Maundy Thursday

7:00PM Worship w/ Sts. Clare & Francis ECC

Friday, April 3

Good Friday

7:00PM Good Friday Blues: Jazz Lament

"Can We Change?"

Sunday, April 5

Celebration of the Resurrection

9:00AM Canterbury Bells Warmup

9:15AM Chancel Choir Warmup

9:45AM Nursery Care Available

9:45AM Festival Music for Easter

10:00AM Worship

10:15AM Kids' Church

11:05AM Coffee Fellowship (Coffee Cakes!) - Memorial Hall

Monday, April 6

Easter Monday - Office Closed

Tuesday, April 7

Municipal Election

1:00PM Communications Committee - Church Office

Wednesday, April 8

9:30AM Yoga with Jeanene - Inglis

10:30AM Staff Meeting - Church Office

Thursday, April 9

6:00PM Canterbury Bells - Sanctuary

7:30PM Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Sunday, April 12

Sacrament of Christ's Table

10:00AM Worship

10:15AM Kids' Church

11:05AM Coffee Fellowship

11:30AM Pastoral Relations Committee - Parlor

Jane Brader - April 6

Rebecca Glazier - April 8

Julie Cohen - April 10

Valerie Paci - April 10

Diane Weber - April 10

Anne Gerst - April 15

Sharon Love - April 18

Phillip Shoulberg - April 18

Elizabeth Monaco - April 23

Francis Byrne - April 25

John Robinson - April 26

Annie Sampath - April 26

The Listen Everywhere system is our new accommodation for people who need assisted-listening. Listen Everywhere can be downloaded to your phone and can be used with or without hearing aids. If your phone is incompatible with the Listen system, we also have stand-alone units available. Please see Mark Metcalf, this Sunday, to get started using the Listen system, or email him at markmetcalf@firstchurchwg.org.

Let Breeze Serve as Your Church Directory

If you would like to access the church directory, change your listing there, or check on your donations, Breeze is the app for you!

Here are a few simple steps, for you to access information from and about the church on your personal devices:

1. Download the breeze app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play store (Android phone)!
2. The app will ask you to provide your Church ID, which is is: fccwgstlmo
3. Last, use your Username and Password to log into the app! (If you don't know your Username, contact the Church Office.)

To download a flier about using the Breeze website or app, including further instructions, click here.

To access the Breeze website, click on this link.

Give to First Church

CLICK HERE to donate online,

to make a pledge to the church.

Otherwise, you can send a check payable to “FCCWG” to:

First Congregational Church

10 W. Lockwood Ave.

Webster Groves, MO 63119

Sunday bulletins can be found by clicking here. They are uploaded by Friday for the upcoming Sunday.

Watch recorded videos of Sunday worship and other events on our YouTube page.