Read Treasurer Jennifer Jones' January 2026 report here.

Worship, March 15

Fourth Sunday in Lent

One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering

Jazz Worship

This Sunday's gospel reading, John 9, introduces the Man Born Blind - one who is little understood by his community (pitied is more the way they treat him). Jesus shares the wisdom that the blind man glorifies God just as he is; no pity needed. Then, an argument ensues over what it means to see. You begin to get the impression that "seeing" for Jesus is really a metaphorical reality, not a literal one. John 9 will include three readers / storytellers in addition to the Liturgist. If you would like to participate in the reading, please contact the Pastor.

Scripture: Psalm 23; John 9

Liturgist: Andrea Welnick

Music: Jazz by the Oîkos Ensemble

Message of the Day: "The Mercy of Seeing: Part 2"

One Great Hour of Sharing, March 15

For over 75 years, the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering (OGHS) has been helping Christians bring God’s hope and healing to hurting people both in the US and around the world. OGHS’s mission is to support domestic and international development, fight poverty and its consequences, bring aid and relief to communities torn by war or ravaged by national disaster, provide advocacy and resettlement assistance for refugees and displaced persons, and combat injustice in its many forms. OGHS provides funding and hands-on assistance in collaboration with local and international partners.

We will hold our OGHS offering on Sunday, March 15. To learn more about OGHS, click here.

First Friends Team Leaders Discuss Church Emergency Plan, March 15

This Sunday after worship, Sharon Love will chair a meeting with First Friends Team Leaders in the Library. They are in the process of updating First Church's Emergency Plan, which was created in 2017. The meeting will begin about 11:30AM. Team Leaders, please feel free to bring your beverage and snacks with you from Coffee Fellowship.

Jan Barnes Leads Worship, March 22

Pastor Dave will be away on Sunday, March 22. Rev. Jan Barnes will lead worship in his absence. (He will be out of the office, March 17-22. If pastoral care is needed, please contact the office to contact the minister on call.)

This year's Good Friday Blues, at 7pm on April 3, introduces us to Niki and Ari - two people who have just experienced a traumatic scene that makes them wonder whether they could have done anything to prevent it.

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

We're looking for three actors and three readers to assist the Oîkos Ensemble in this provocative and poignant performance. Actors will have rehearsals between March 23 and 30, and all will be needed for a dress rehearsal at 4pm on Good Friday (supper provided). If you would be interested in participating as an actor or reader, please contact the Pastor.

Parish Life Update

The Parish Life Ministry continues its work in helping to provide meaningful worship experiences and serving our members in diverse ways.

The annual Benevolence event is approaching. 'This year's Gala of Grace will be on Saturday, May 2, and will have a Kentucky Derby theme, since it starts just as the Run for the Roses ends. Learn more here.

Troop 301 Rummage Sale, March 14

Troop 301 is holding a rummage sale on Saturday, March 14 from 8 AM to noon-ish. The sale will be at the northeast corner of the church's east (Elm) parking lot. If the weather is uncooperative, the sale will be moved to the church basement (enter through the exterior stairs). There are books, jewelry, household items, and holiday decor. Proceeds will help pay for camping and activities' costs.

New on Sundays -

Door Security Policy

As part of our efforts toward greater safety and security, a new policy has been adopted by the First Friends. Almost all doors will now be locked at 10:00AM on Sundays. To access the building after worship has begun, please go to the Narthex entrance (east side of the building). The First Friends will let you in.

Adult Ed, March 22

Lynn Mark on Immigration Law

Lynn Mark, Accredited Representative in the Immigration Law Program of the Legal Services of Eastern Missouri will discuss the latest information on happenings within their practice in relationship to Immigration and ICE. There are so many changes coming that it’s hard to predict what will be on the agenda.

Lady Elect Field Trip
March 24 

Lady Elect will be going on a field trip to the St. Louis Genealogical Society on Tuesday, March 24, at 11:30. 

Please arrive promptly at 11:30, so that we can observe the researchers at work before they have to leave. The site is located in Sunnen Industrial Park at 4 Sunnen Drive, Suite 140, St.Louis, MO and is approximately 4.5 miles from church. Our visit will include a tour of the facility and a talk about starting your own family research. So, bring your questions. Also, please bring your lunch/beverage. Linda will provide a dessert.



All are welcome to join us. Text your RSVP to Marilyn's phone number (314) 894-2046. (Include your name in the text.)

Annual Reports Due,

End of March

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 before the end of March. 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.

Habitat For Humanity Workdays,

May and October

St Louis Habitat for Humanity is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and the UCC has been with them from the start. Our denomination's contributions and work days have resulted in an average of one "house build" per year over that 40 year period. In 2026, Habitat has big plans to build a minimum of 35 homes for deserving families. After completing the last home in the Lookaway neighborhood near Chain of Rocks, Habitat will initiate both new construction and rehabs in a number of metro areas including Maplewood, Hyde Park, Gravois Park and Dutchtown. The primary focus this year will be on the Evens neighborhood, northeast of U. City. Habit is careful to build where people want to live, close to grocery stores and other services. 

Our UCC group of 16 churches collectively donated $32,000 to Habitat last year. The largest piece of that was $9,000 raised from the St. Pat's Dinner at Samuel UCC in Clayton. This year's dinner will be held on Saturday, February 28, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. The menu includes special Corned Beef from Kern Meat Co., potatoes, vegetables, soda bread and homemade desserts. I can tell you from experience, it's an excellent meal. The suggested donation is $20 for adults, and $6 for children. Every penny goes to the Habitat effort. Phil Shoulberg will have tickets for sale beginning this Sunday. 

This year, we at First Church have two opportunities to help hard-working people get in decent homes. On MAY 16, we'll combine with Hope UCC/Isaiah 58 to supply 10 workers. On OCTOBER 3, we will join congregants from St. Lucas UCC to again supply 10 workers. As we get closer to those dates, they will give us worksite locations. There are clipboard signup sheets for both dates in the office. 

Look for a the announcement regarding a celebration making the 40th Anniversary. Habitat is planning a late September Block Party in one of their new neighborhoods.

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

Jacqueline Novak's Comedy Show, March 27

Jacqueline Novak, sister of our very own Rebecca Novak, is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and published author. Her off-Broadway, one-woman show Get On Your Knees was a New York Times "Critic's Pick," and her performance was nominated for a 2020 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance. In 2024, Get On Your Knees was made into a Netflix special, directed by Natasha Lyonne, for which she received a 2024 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special. Tickets can be purchased here or elsewhere online.

International Supper Club

Luncheon at Webster Hills UMC

March 28

Thanks to Doug Miller for bringing this to our attention!

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.

Sunday, March 15

Fourth Sunday in Lent

One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering

9:45AM Nursery Care Available

10:00AM Worship (Jazz)

10:15AM Kids' Church

11:05AM Coffee Fellowship - Memorial Hall

11:30AM First Friends Leaders Emergency Plan Discussion - Library

Monday, March 16

7:00PM Executive Ministry - Zoom

7:00PM Scouting BSA Troop 301 - Memorial Hall

Wednesday, March 18

9:30AM Yoga with Jeanene - Inglis Room

Thursday, March 19

6:00PM Canterbury Bells - Sanctuary

7:30PM Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Saturday, March 20

8:00AM - 12:00PM Scouts Rummage Sale - East Parking Lot

Sunday, March 22

Fifth Sunday in Lent

9:45AM Nursery Care Available

10:00AM Worship

10:15AM Kids' Church

11:05AM Coffee Fellowship - Memorial Hall

11:20AM Adult Ed - "Immigration Law"

Elle Polaske - March 5

Ruthie Meyer - March 6

Emery Fisher - March 9

Brennan Butler - March 12

Kris Rinne - March 14

Kitty Pearl - March 18

Lauren Gomez - March 20

Jim Harris - March 21

Casen Hood - March 21

Nick Suber - March 25

Amy Byrne - March 26

Danny Smith - March 29

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.