Read Treasurer Jennifer Jones' February 2026 report here.

Worship, March 29

Palm Sunday of the Passion

The last week of Jesus' earthly life included the triumphal high of Palm Sunday - as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was heralded as Israel's king. We will trace his steps and let Hosannas ring.

The other end of the week included Christ's anointing, betrayal, trial, torture, and execution, and we will shift our focus from triumph to apparent defeat, as readers call to mind Matthew's remembrance of these events.

Scripture: Psalm 118; Matthew 21:1-11 and 26:3-27:66

Liturgist: Sharon Love

Message of the Day: "The Passion According to Matthew"

Deadline for Easter Flowers Approaches

If you would like your name and dedication to appear in the Easter Flowers insert on Easter Sunday, please donate to the Flower Fund by Wednesday, April 1st with a dedication in the description, or fill out an Easter Flowers form this Sunday.

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. Please direct emails to Adam to admin@firstchurchwg.org.

Good Friday Blues, April 3

This year's Good Friday Blues, at 7pm on April 3, 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 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 performance!

Coffee Cakes Needed for Easter Sunday!

On Easter Sunday, April 5th, please bring coffee cakes to share during Coffee Fellowship. Parish Life requests that the cakes be pre-plated and ready-to-serve.

Remember not to include nuts.

Benevolence 2026, May 2

Purchase tickets by April 15

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

Sunday, March 29

Palm Sunday of the Passion

9:00AM Passion Readers Rehearsal - Library

9:15AM Chancel Choir Warmup - Sanctuary

9:45AM Palms Readers Rehearsal - Library

9:45AM Nursery Care Available

10:00AM Worship

10:15AM Kids' Church

11:05AM Coffee Fellowship - Memorial Hall

Monday, March 30

7:00PM Scouting BSA Troop 301 - Memorial Hall

Tuesday, March 31

10:30AM Staff Meeting - Church Office

Wednesday, April 1

9:30AM Yoga with Jeanene - Inglis Room

6:00PM Canterbury Bells - Sanctuary

7:30PM Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

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

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.