Worship, May 17

Jazz Worship

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Sunday after Ascension Day

The seventh Sunday of Easter falls in the midst of two important events in the writings of the author of Luke - the Ascension on the fortieth day of Easter, and Pentecost on the fiftieth day. For Luke, this meant that the Messiah was gone, and the Holy Spirit was coming.

Despite the Christian calendar's emphasis on events about which Luke wrote, our gospel reading comes from John 17, as Jesus prays for his followers "that they may all be one" as he and God are one. The UCC adopted this saying as our motto in 1957, and our prayer for all the Church is unity in Spirit and purpose.

Scripture: Acts 1:6-14; John 17:1-11

Liturgist: Sharon Love

Anthem: "The Blue-Green Hills of Earth" (from Missa Gaia)

performed by the Oîkos Jazz Ensemble with the Chancel Choir

Message of the Day: "The Oneness at Hand"

THIS SUNDAY:
Canned Food Drive for

Especially needed:

Canned tuna, salmon, and chicken

Canned beans 
(black, kidney, garbanzo)

Peanut butter/nut butters 
(in plastic jars)

Breakfast cereal

Powdered milk, shelf-stable milk

Canned chili, stew, ravioli

Please bring your donations directly to the sanctuary and place them at the base of the altar, where they will be blessed during worship.

Farewell Event, May 24

First Church’s long-time members, Faye & Marshall Dyer, are moving to Massachusetts to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. Their last Sunday in church will be May 24. 

There will be a special recognition during worship and special treats in Memorial Hall for Coffee Fellowship.

You are invited and encouraged to share your blessings and well-wishes for them with cards or notes as they start this new chapter in their lives. Please come to church on May 24, and bring that card or note with you. If you will be absent that day, feel free to send or drop off your card at the office by Thursday, May 21!

Thanks for Attending the 2026 Gala!

We are happy to report that members and guests of First Church were very generous in their support for our partner agencies, at this year's Derby-themed Gala of Grace, May 2! (We're still doing event math, but we'll have the number soon.)

Phil Shoulberg snapped some amazing photos. Take a look here.

Graphic Designer Needed

Sts. Clare & Francis is looking for a graphic designer to assist with a logo and brand re-design. Ideally this person would understand the marketing needs and challenges of a church. This is a paying job, and SCF will happily negotiate a fair wage with the designer. If you know of someone who would be a good fit, please reach out to Therese, at churchoffice@scfecc.org.

Yoga Schedule

for May

The yoga schedule for the next few weeks is as follows:



May 20: Class in session

May 27: Class in session

Adult Ed:

Navigating the Complexities
of Elder Care, May 17

After worship on Sunday, May 17th, a representative from Provident Health will give a presentation on navigating the complexities of elder care in the Kishlar Room at 11:20. The presentation will focus especially on the transitional care for seniors.

Sonya Vann to be ordained, May 24

Sonya Vann, who served as Sabbatical Pastor during Pastor Dave Denoon's time away in the summer of 2017, will be ordained on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, at 3:00 PM at Kindred UCC, 2200 Bellevue Ave., Maplewood, Missouri. All are invited and encouraged to attend.

Sonya is the lead staff person for the new Progressive Christian Radio station, KPVF 99.7FM, which begins broadcasting soon.

Strengthen the Church Special Offering, May 24

The Strengthen the Church (STC) Offering reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to cooperatively build up the UCC. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations. Follow this link, to watch a video about the offering. By your generosity to this offering, you build up the Body of Christ.

We will be collecting the Strengthen the Church offering during and after the service on Sunday, May 24.

Memorial Day Office Closure, May 25

The office will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25.

Lady Elect End-of-Year Potluck, May 26

You are cordially invited to the Lady Elect End-of-Year Potluck Dinner in the Inglis Room on Tuesday, May 26th, at 6:00pm. Jan Barnes will be doing a storytelling presentation. If interested, please text Marilyn at (314) 894-2046 and let her know whether you are bringing an appetizer, main dish, side dish, or dessert. Be sure to leave your name in the text.

Journeymen Spring Final Meeting, May 28

The Journeymen are having their final meeting of the spring on Thursday, May 28 at 9:00AM in the Parlor.

Members and friends of First Congregational Church are invited to join other local churches in a community march along Lockwood Avenue in Webster Groves. As part of this meaningful event, we are collecting used T-shirts in a variety of sizes. Over the next couple of weeks, we welcome your support—please place donated shirts in the collection box located in the narthex. These shirts will be displayed along Lockwood Avenue to honor and remember the lives lost to gun violence in the St. Louis area this year.

June 7 March: Check in for the March to start at 1pm at the Webster Groves Presbyterian Church (45 W. Lockwood Ave.) Remember to wear orange!

The March starts at 1:45pm at the Webster Groves Presbyterian Church. March ends at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church (9 S. Bompart Ave.)

The rally at Emmanuel to start around 2:30pm.

In addition, each church will help decorate a canvas banner. More details about the banner project will be shared soon. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Esmeralda Castelblanco at (314) 307-6009 or Annie Sampath at (314)603-1683.

Coming June 14 to Memorial Hall

"A Black History Tour of St. Louis"

In anticipation of the Juneteenth holiday, you are invited to a special screening of the new, award-winning film, A Black History of St. Louis. It's directed by local film maker Tony West, and written and presented by Fr. Gerry Kleba. The film is free and will be shown on the big screen in Memorial Hall on Sunday, June 14, at 3:00PM (runtime 85 minutes), followed by Q&A with Father Kleba.

Click here or on the accompanying image, to learn more about the film and to watch a preview.

Red Cross Blood Drive, June 15

We are hosting another blood drive at First Church! It will be held from 9AM to 1PM on Monday, June 15. Sign up here.

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

May Shopping List

Canned Chicken • Canned Green Vegetable (low or no salt)

Canned Fruit in own juices

Powdered Milk, shelf stable milk, soy milk

Pudding or Jello (fat free/sugar free)

Shampoo/Conditioner • Soap • Deodorant

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, May 17

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Sunday after Ascension Day

9:15AM Chancel Choir Warmup

9:45AM Nursery Care Available

10:00AM Worship

10:15AM Kids' Church

11:05AM Coffee Fellowship

11:20AM Adult Ed: "Navigating the Complexities of Elder Care" - Kishlar Room

Monday, May 18

7:00PM Executive Ministry (Zoom)

Tuesday, May 19

10:30AM Staff Meeting - Church Office

Wednesday, May 20

9:30AM Yoga with Jeanene - Inglis Room

Sunday, May 24

Pentecost / All-Ages Worship

"Strengthen the Church" Special Offering

Memorial Day Weekend

9:45AM Nursery Care Available

10:00AM Worship

10:15AM Kids' Church

11:05AM Coffee Fellowship

Monday, May 25

Memorial Day - Office Closed

Dana Romeis – May 1

Cathy Buerk – May 3

Mark Edwards – May 3

Melissa Hill – May 3

Adrianna Hoeper – May 4

Tracey Harris - May 8

Warner Prange – May 8

Thomas Welnick – May 8

Garie Perry – May 9

Drue Hood – May 10

Alayna Hoganson – May 12

Kay Roush – May 12

Peter Bakker-Arkema – May 17

Jean Gray – May 19

Ruby Cohen – May 21

Mila Falconer – May 23

Sophia Monaco – May 23

Linda Kopetti – May 24

Leo Gomez – May 27

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.