To submit an article for the Covenant News or the Sunday bulletin, please contact Office Administrator Adam Levin with a detailed description of the event or item you'd like to publicize. The deadline to submit articles for the Thursday Covenant News and/or Sunday bulletin is Wednesday night.

Read Treasurer Jenny Jones's most recent report here.

Worship, October 25

Reformation Sunday

The 22nd chapter of Matthew reflects Jesus' skills as a rabbi, arguing (and winning) the big, basic matters about the Jewish religion of his time - Roman taxation in the Temple (vv. 15-22), Resurrection with the Sadducees (vv. 23-34), and in this week's portion with the Pharisees (vv. 35-46) what it is critical for everyone to know who would abide by the Law and Covenant with God. We have come to call this The Greatest Commandment ("Love your Sovereign God with all your heart... and your neighbor as yourself.")

This Sunday, as we consider the blessings of the Reformation, which began in the 16th Century when Martin Luther challenged the Church to consider what was fundamental to our faith practices, we hear our Rabbi's words again - offering refreshment and a bit of a refresher - about the centrality of love to Christianity.

Worship will conclude with our annual Halloween-in-the-Pews. All the elements are provided, except costumes or other festive gear which young and old are invited to wear.

Music: The Rhythm of Life, performed by the Chancel Choir

Liturgist: Charlie Schoenherr

Stewardship Moment: Chris Hoeper

Scripture: Psalm 90 and Matthew 22:35-46

Message of the Day: "A Refresher"

Invitation to Commitment 2027

(with Consecration Sunday, November 15)

This year’s Stewardship theme is “There Our Hearts Will Be,” a reference to Matthew 6:21, in which Christ says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Nancy Rudolph offered some thoughts, this past Sunday.

Devotional inserts about the importance of Christian stewardship will be included in each bulletin, as well as an invitation to make a commitment to First Church for 2027. Pledge cards are available from the Narthex table. Or pledge online – go to bit.ly/Pledge-2027 and fill out the form. Our hope is to complete in-gathering of pledges with our Consecration Sunday service, November 15. Thank you for your generosity!

Rainbow Bench Collection COMPLETE!

Thank you! We have reached our goal of 400+ pounds of plastic caps for our Rainbow Bench! The collection tub will still be in the Narthex until the end of the month for any caps you have stored at home. Once again, thank you all.

Chiller Is IN!

The old chilling unit is removed by crane.

We are thrilled to announce that our new chiller was installed this week! (A click on the image above will take you to a Facebook reel of the old unit being removed by crane from its housing.) While the Chiller Fund Campaign raised over $220,000 in commitments, Adam reports that $24,500 of the 2026 pledges has yet to be turned in. If the 2026 portion of your commitment has not been submitted we encourage you to do so very soon.

Bible Journey

Exodus - Leviticus

Wednesdays through November 11 at 7:00PM

In person in the Parlor (or virtual if needed)

Our Bible Journey is a weekly gathering on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM, in the Church Parlor. The object of Bible Journey is eventually to explore the entire Bible with others. Follow along with the reading plan - click here!

Pet Blessing Photos now on Facebook

Thanks to all who brought their beloved pets (or photos of pets) to the service on October 4! Kristy Barton was kind enough to take some pictures, which can be seen on our Facebook page, here.

Confirmation Class Field Trip 1

Hindu Temple of St. Louis

On Sunday, October 18, the Confirmation class went to the Hindu Temple of St. Louis for a tour of the Temple and the many shrines and smaller temples within. Pictured here are Pastor Dave snapping a selfie with Laine, Jennifer, and Lauren Gomez, Christy, Drue, and Casen Hood, our guide Ram and our friend Sam Sampath. The group also enjoyed lunch together, which is served weekly at the Temple on Saturdays and Sundays.

Among other things the group learned on their tour was the saying, "Tat Tvat Asi" (Sanskrit for "You are that," which affirms the oneness of all creation and the importance of respecting all people, creatures, and things.). To learn more about Hinduism, Ram recommended watching the video, "Basics of Hinduism" by Danielle Riordan, a St. Louis area Catholic.

CROP Walk Thanks &

Dewey's Pizza, October 27

Thanks to all who walked, tabled, and donated to the CROP Walk. We raised $1,526! Three-fourths of donations go to the relief, development, refugee, and advocacy work of Church World Service. The remaining one-fourth is distributed to Webster-Rock Hill Ministries and two other nonprofits providing food to those without it!

Eat pizza! Raise dough!

If you are interested in continuing to support Church World Service and CROP, consider ordering from Dewey's Pizza Creve Coeur (736 N. New Ballas Rd., 63141) on Tuesday, October 27, from 4 to 9PM. Dewey's Pizza Creve Coeur is a Quick Service Restaurant with both dine-in and counter service. Your best option is to order online or call-in for carryout at 314-779-3010. However you get your pizza, be sure to mention "Giveback Night" or "GBN." Dewey's then will donate up to 20% of your total to CWS/CROP.

If you want simply to give to CWS/CROP, you can do so at

CROPHungerWalk.org/saintlouismo

Ballot Info for November 3 election

The October Ballot Issues Forum that was held at Webster Presbyterian on 10-4-26 was extremely informative. The YouTube taping of the event is ready for viewing on WGPC’s channel here. The video starts at 9:15.

Meanwhile, Doug Miller has included a quick non-partisan guide from League of Women Voters of Metro St. Louis about the ballot issues.

See it here.

Early/Appointment Voting

(Not at First Church)

October 20 – November 3

We've received some calls at the office, inquiring about voting early or by appointment. Please note: First Church IS a polling place for the November 3 election, but it IS NOT a satellite site for early or appointment voting. To learn more about voting early or by appointment, visit the County Election Board website.

Gateway ONA Drag Queen Bingo

Fundraiser, October 24

October 24: Annual Drag Queen Bingo Fundraiser this year is taking place at Wydown United Church (formerly, First Congregational Church of St. Louis, UCC), 6501 Wydown Blvd. in Clayton. Cost: $25.00 per person; Doors open at 6:00 PM and program begins at 6:30 PM. This event raises funds for the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ and Alliance Q of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Open and Affirming Churches are invited to prepared gift baskets to donate to the Silent Auction - proceeds from the baskets will go to scholarship those attending the National Gathering of both organizations. Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/drang-queen-bingo--2026.

Save the Date!

CPR and First Aid Training

Sunday, November 8

will be offered by the Webster Groves Fire Department on Sunday, November 8th, following worship in Inglis Room at 11:30AM. This basic class will not provide certification but will offer some basic skills and information. First Friends team members are encouraged to participate, but the class is open to everyone. As it will last 2 hours, we suggest you bring a sack lunch or snack to eat between worship and the class. In order to provide enough materials, please reach out to Sharon Love (314-691-0631) if you are interested in attending, or email her here.

On a related note: The Executive Ministry is wanting to create a list of members and friends who have Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification. Please contact the Pastor or Moderator Chris von Weise if you are Red Cross certified.

Rebuild St. Louis Bingo Night

at Holy Redeemer, October 24

Join Rebuild St. Louis at Holy Redeemer on Saturday, October 24 at 7PM (doors open at 6:15). Funds will go towards assisting local homeowners with repairs. Cash and other prizes available!

Entry fee is $30 per person and includes 10 games of bingo, soft drinks, and light snacks.

For more information, call Julie at 314-496-4567 or click here.

Thanks to Doug Miller for bringing this to our attention!

Ways to Help at the Nov. 3 Polls

Interested in volunteering as a Poll Monitor, Roving Monitor, or Sign Placement Devotee! Missouri's non-partisan Election Protection Program might be for you! There are four ways you can help: click here for details!

Empty Bowls Dinner

Webster-Rock Hill Ministries, November 8

The Empty Bowls fundraiser for Webster Rock Hill Ministries returns, Saturday, November 8, from 4:30 to 7:00PM! Join WRHM on Sunday, November 8 from 4:30PM to 7PM. Taking place at Webster Hills Methodist Christian Life Center at 1333 W. Lockwood Avenue, all funds raised will support food and other outreach programs at Webster-Rock Hill Ministries. $25 for Adults, $10 for students K-12, and children under 5 eat free. Learn more and purchase advance tickets here.

Yankee Swap December 6, 1pm

Save the date!

Garie Perry's famous Yankee Swap will take place on Sunday, December 6, this year. More information to follow.

MEAL-A-MONTH

October Meal-a-Month Shopping List

Canned Chicken & Dumplings (low salt)

Canned Green Vegetable (low or no salt)

Canned Fruit in own juices

Powdered Milk, shelf stable milk, soy milk

Whole Wheat Flour • Peanut Butter

Real Fruit Jelly • Dried Fruits

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, October 22

6:00PM Canterbury Bells - Sanctuary

7:30PM Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Sunday, October 25

Reformation Sunday

9:45AM Nursery Care Available

10:00AM Worship

Trick-or-Treating in the pews during Postlude

Candy provided!

10:15AM Kids' Church

11:05 AM Coffee Fellowship

11:30AM Pastoral Relations Committee

Tuesday, October 27

10:30AM Staff Meeting - Church Office

6:30PM Confirmation - Parlor

Wednesday, October 28

9:30AM Yoga with Jeanene - Inglis Room

7:00PM Bible Journey - Kishlar Room

Thursday, October 29

9:00AM Journeymen - Parlor

6:00PM Canterbury Bells - Sanctuary

7:30PM Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Sunday, November 1

All Saints Day

Daylight-Saving Time Ends

Sacrament of Christ's Table

9:00AM Brown Baggers

9:45AM Nursery Care Available

10:00AM Worship (Remembrance Sunday)

10:15AM Kids' Church

11:05 AM Coffee Fellowship

Joyce Haynes McCowan - October 3

Kathy Weyhrich - October 3

Anna Galloway - October 3

Gabriel Cohen - October 5

Patrick Byrne - October 7

Wayne Dierker - October 9

Rod Cooper - October 10

Margaret Gustafson - October 15

Emily Polaske - October 16

Marilyn Claggett - October 18

Wally Polaske - October 20

Elston McCowan - October 24

Braeden Hood - October 29

David Denoon - October 30

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.