First Things First!
A weekly E-News publication of  The First Church in Oberlin UCC
United Church of Christ  January 7, 2019
An Open and Affirming, Just Peace, Green Justice, Global Mission Congregation

No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome at The First Church.
TOP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
  1. First Church WeeklCalendar
  2. First Church Announcements & Events (scroll down)
  3. Conversations on Sanctuary - link to website
  4. Birthday List For January
  5. First Church  Meeting House Archives
  6. General Information

 
FIRST CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS


There will be Wednesday Night Supper this week.
POTLUCK
Help is needed to make these meals a success each week. Please sign up on the sheets located in the hallway, 
or call Diane Kruek at (440) 775-0976. Thank you!








ANNOUNCEMENTS calendar-kids-banner.jpg

Following worship next Sunday, January 13th, you are invited to a reception to welcome Rev. Dr. Gary Olin.

Sunday School and Confirmation will begin on next Sunday, January 13th, following worship.

Thank you to everyone who donated hats and gloves on the mitten tree.  45 hats and 2 pairs of gloves were given to OCS this week to be handed out to those in need.


graphic-helping-hands.jpg  SAVE THE DATE!  

On Saturday, January 26th, from 10:00am to 12:00 noon in the JFO Room, First Church, Witness and Membership Committee and Called to Care Team will be offering members and friends of First Church an opportunity to explore ways to take care of themselves, and roles though which they can care for others. A professional resource person will offer suggestions of ways we can work together to reach out to those unable to attend church, those with health needs, among other things. Coffee and pastries will be available. 

If interested, please contact Mary McDaniel at mcmcdan@oberlin.net or 440-935-5509.





Interested in exploring new possibilities for meaningful music and worship at First Church? 

Mark your calendar for  SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019, 9am-Noon, First Church Fellowship Hall. The Worship Committee will host singer, teacher, and worship leader,  AMANDA POWELL , who will lead a workshop in which we will: 

1. Sing and make music that will renew, refresh and regroup participants and create a sense of community; 

2. Explore creative liturgy and liturgical offerings particularly focusing on the way music enhances our worship experience; 

3. Investigate what "authentic" worship looks like at First Church. How is God working and moving in worship at First Church? How might we pay attention to that call through the way we worship and sing together? 

4. Dream/create/vision/explore creative ways to use music in worship; and,  

5. Have conversations around healthy and manageable steps forward. 

For more information on Amanda, please visit http://amandapowell.info/

Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 20 to the Church Office office@firstchurchoberlin.org .



GENERAL
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS

Stand With Us! Interfaith Prayer Vigil, Thursdays at 4 p.m.
 
We invite people of faith and conscience to take part in a weekly interfaith prayer vigil to be held outside of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office located at  925 Keynote Circle, Brooklyn Heights. Our goal is to unite and amplify many faith voices calling for compassion and justice to guide the actions of ICE and to bear  witness to ICE-imposed injustices and human rights violations taking place in our communities.  We welcome non-partisan signage that lifts up values of justice, peace, compassion and hospitality to the immigrant.   You can help us to stand up with and for our immigrant neighbors with your "ministry of presence."  If you are able, please come to this prayer vigil which will be lead by rotating faith leadership every Thursday from 4:00pm to 4:45 p.m.






















pancakes.jpg

On Sunday, January 20th, from 9:00am - 1:30pm, at the Wakeman Masonic Lodge, 34 Pleasant Street, there will be an All You Can Eat French Toast, Pancake, and Sausage Breakfast. Donations accepted. For more information, contact Ruth Ann Emerick, 440-839-2178.




Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Events in Oberlin

On Monday,  January 21 , the Annual Re-Dedication to the Dream will be held at 12:15 p.m. in the Martin Luther King Memorial Park, corner of S. Pleasant and Vine Streets in Oberlin. The event will be followed by a Community Tea in the Zion Fellowship Hall, sponsored by Oberlin-Area Cooperating Ministries. The Fellowship Hall is two blocks south of the Park at the corner of S. Pleasant St. and Locust St. Parking is available across the street. All are welcome! 

Immediately following the Tea, and also in the Zion Fellowship Hall, Oberlin People Together - OPT, is organizing a discussion about how to make positive changes in Oberlin.  Anyone who is interested is invited to remain after the Tea for about 45 minutes of conversation. This initial meeting will be structured around small table discussions and will help everyone get to know one another in a friendly forum. OPT is an outgrowth of the small, diverse committee that planned the October 14, 2018 Community Celebration honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the 50th anniversary of his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize.

For more information, contact  davidasnyder49@gmail.com



CLICK HERE for the website and weekly announcements!



OCS welcomes your donations. 
Please take them directly to their building  at 285  S. Professor St. 
from 9am until noon and 1pm until 5pm, M-F. Thank you! 
GENERAL
GENERAL INFORMATION
Communion - When Coming To Church Is Not Possible

The Witness and Membership Committee has members who have recently been trained by Pastor David to serve Communion to anyone in our church who is confined to home, ill or otherwise unable to come to church. One of the members of the Communion team will come to your home and share a brief service with you. If interested, please call Diana in the church office at (440) 775-1711.

 
Drawing on our heritage, we will grow by being an intentionally inclusive, multicultural, just and loving community that practices relevant and inspiring worship, mobilized to collaborate with our wider community by opening our doors to be a central gathering place that is dedicated to healing brokenness in our relationship with God, each other and the Earth. 
The First Church in Oberlin
106 N. Main Street
Oberlin OH 44074
(440) 775-1711

If you are searching for ways to become more fully  engaged in the life of the church,  contact Rev. David T. Hill or call the church office.




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SUBMISSION INFORMATION:
The deadline for articles and information into Monday's Enews is  FRIDAYS at 10 a.m. You may email your items to: office@firstchurchoberlin.org . Thank you.