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 here!

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Holy Communion Celebrated Sunday

For those joining us virtually Sunday, this is a reminder to prepare your elements for Holy Communion prior to the service.

First Church, Its Mission, and Its Ministry

We invite you to join us for

Easter!

Raise the roof with brass and organ on Easter THIS SUNDAY, April 5th at 10:00 AM in the Meeting House

All are welcome!

We look forward to worshiping with you!

Good Friday Services

April 3rd, 2026

12:00 PM and 7:30 PM

Christ Episcopal Church

Christ Episcopal Church in Oberlin (162 S. Main Street) will offer two unique observances of Good Friday (April 3rd).

At noon, all are welcome to participate in the symbolic pilgrimage of Stations of the Cross, held in the church. During the procession around the nave, we pause fourteen times to contemplate scenes from Christ’s passion (some with a biblical basis, others from later tradition) with scripture and prayer. This service lasts roughly 30-40 minutes.

At 7:30 p.m., we gather for the Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday from The Book of Common Prayer, which includes the singing of the Passion Gospel according to John using the traditional plainsong melody, a sermon, prayers, favorite hymns, and the veneration of the cross. (Communion is not celebrated this day.)

Everyone is warmly invited to attend either or both services.

The Great Vigil of Easter

April 4th, 2026

7:30 PM

Christ Episcopal Church

You're cordially invited to join Christ Episcopal Church for their Annual Easter Vigil Service on Saturday, April 4th, at 7:30 PM. All are welcome. We look forward to worshiping with you!

Office Closed

The office will be closed on April 6th in recognition of Easter Monday. It will reopen on Tuesday, April 7th.

David’s Vacation



David will be on vacation from Monday, April 6 - Sunday April 12. Our Guest Preacher on Sunday, April 12 will be Jim Cunningham. If you have any timely concerns, please contact the office at 440-775-1711. 

One Great Hour of Sharing,

Collected on Easter, April 5th!

One Great Hour of Sharing is one of four special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ. This Lenten Offering supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the United Church of Christ within Wider Church Ministries. This year, the special offering's theme is being a cheerful giver!

We can make a difference. We do make a difference. Your generosity makes all the difference. Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing provide immediate aid and long-term support to people experiencing hunger, thirst, disaster, or crisis around the world. 

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver"

-2 Corinthians 9:7

The 2026 offering will be collected on Easter, April 5th. It is possible to contribute in one of three ways: 

1. By mailing a check made out to The First Church in Oberlin with “OGHS” in the memo line to the church office, 
2. By using the offering envelopes on the Welcome Table and depositing your donation in the donation boxes in the Meeting House by the doors exiting the room, 
3. Or, by going to our First Church website, scrolling down and clicking on "Donate Online" and then going to the “One Great Hour of Sharing” section. Alternatively, click here and it’ll bring you to the page.

Please see below for the Mission Moment for this week and the bulletin insert for this year's offering. More information can also be found on the UCC website. 

Let your gift help to put prayer into action. The need has never been greater. The opportunity is now. It’s time to share.

Archives Adult Education May 3rd

Following service on May 3rd there will be an adult education session all about our Archive at First Church. Our 2025 Archives Intern will be giving an overview of the material held in our Archives, as well as highlighting special pieces on display in our Archives room. She will also be explaining the process of using and donating to the First Church Archives. Following the session all are welcome to join her upstairs in the Archives room for its grand opening. 

Dinner and Conversation

The Fellowship Committee is sponsoring an evening at Bella Luna’s on Sunday, April 26th at 4:00 p.m. We will have the restaurant to ourselves! The cost will be $33.00 person, to be paid in advance, plus the gratuity the night of the event. You can make your check out to First Church with “Bella Luna” on the memo line.

We will begin the evening with appetizers followed by a plated salad. Dinner will be served buffet style and will include pasta, steamed vegetables, salmon, chicken marsala, and roast pork loin, with cannoli’s for dessert. Beverages are included but feel free to bring your own wine if you like.

We need to give Bella Luna a total number of people attending by April 21st. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall hallway.

Join us for an evening of good food and fellowship!!

Are You Interested in Learning More About Joining First Church?

Please join us for an informal Inquirer’s Gathering in the JFO Room following the worship service on April 19th. 

Wherever you are on your faith journey, your questions are welcome, and conversation is invited.

ALL are invited!

We look forward to seeing you!

The church will receive new members on April 26th.

Wednesday Night Supper

At our Wednesday night supper on April 15 at 5:45 pm, we'll CELEBRATE SPRING the PA German way! Some churches in northeastern PA host Dandelion Suppers this time of year, when the young dandelions are just bitter enough to pair with hot bacon dressing. Fortunately, the traditional meal also includes ham and potatoes. At First Church we're also adding fresh asparagus, carrots, deviled eggs, and an alternative salad, meatless options, rolls, and dessert, What a feast! Lemon sponge pie would be among the desserts in Dutch country and you might like to sample that too! Experience and enjoy this ethnic tradition! We're looking for three people to make a dozen devilled eggs each and five folks to bring a seasonal dessert. Sign up today here or in the hallway to Fellowship Hall. 

2026 SPRING REVIVAL SHOWCASE

We cordially welcome you to celebrate the arrival of spring with a multigenerational music showcase at First Church in Oberlin. Bridging academia and town residents together, the 2026 Spring Revival Showcase features talented musicians from the Community Music School, Kendal at Oberlin, and groups from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. The program features vibrant original works, elegant classical repertoire, and the premiere of a new musical suite by student jazz trumpeter and composer Tim Park.

Following the performance, guests will be invited to enjoy a selection of appetizers and refreshments in Fellowship Hall at First Church in Oberlin.

The 2026 Spring Revival Showcase is generously sponsored by the Office of the Dean of the Conservatory, the Office of the President, the Oberlin Jazz Society, and the Oberlin College Bonner Scholars Program.

Call for Help

An Oberlin resident is in need of a kidney transplant. The Cleveland Clinic kidney transplant team asked her to reach out to see if anyone might be willing to donate a kidney, It is not necessary to be a specific match for the person in whose name a kidney is donated. If you might be interested and want to learn more, please call 440-775-0036. This is understandably a huge request, for which the neighbor would be immensely grateful.

Come join the fun! 

Be a part of Oberlin's Big Parade! This year's theme is Ye Olde Big Parade, featuring knights, princesses, jesters, dragons, and more. Let's show the community what a vibrant and fun place First Church is by joining in with costumes, a float, flags, or just your shining faces - whatever you can think of! Contact Anne Sprague if you have ideas to share.

The parade will be Saturday, May 2, and our annual Spring Festival will be the following week, May 9.

Let's celebrate Spring and First Church! 

Coffee Hour

The Fellowship Committee is asking for volunteers to host coffee hour after church. Don’t worry if you are not sure how to make the coffee. Training can be provided. There is a sign up sheet in Fellowship Hall hallway. If you have any questions please talk with Sandy Matthews.

Highlights from the Executive Council Meeting, March 24, 2026

Below is a brief summary of topics discussed at the monthly Executive Council meeting.

• We have replaced one of the two well worn sofas in Room 4 with a fresh one from Kendal. We hope this helps make guests in that room feel more welcome.

• A suggested change to our Constitution will be presented at the April 26 Annual Meeting of the congregation. The change would allow Associate Members to serve on Executive Council.

• New signage is planned to update the appearance of the entrance by our new doors and to help control traffic in the driveway.

The Wider Church

2026 Spring Vitality Festival Registration Open!

What does it mean to cultivate enough courage as a vibrant congregation?

Join co-ministers, Rev. Molly Phinney Baskette and Rev. Dr. Kelly Colwell, for an intriguing presentation on courage, vitality in the local church, and the choices that make all the difference. Rev. Baskette is the newly retired Senior Minister of the historic First Congregational Church of Berkeley, UCC, just steps from the University of California at Berkeley. She and Dr. Kelly Colwell jointly pastored the congregation in an innovative collaborative fashion, with Dr. Colwell continuing to lead the congregation into a new chapter as Rev. Baskette moves into a new chapter of ministry. 

In highly transitional times when many of our traditional church vitality 'tricks and tips' do not apply, this is an opportunity to hear from a co-pastor team about the choices and risks that have made the difference.

Following their joint presentation. Dr. Larssen will interview Rev. Baskette and take questions from the viewing audience.

The Wider Community

The Lorain County Civic Engagement Coalition invites you to attend the Spirit of '76 Speakers Series as part of Lorain County Ohio’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. 

Each event is free to attend, however you will need to register.

RSVP Here: www.LorainCounty.com/e/spiritof76

Rev. David T. Hill, Pastor

If you are searching for ways to become more fully engaged in the life of the church, please contact Rev. David T. Hill by calling the church office at (440) 775-1711 or by sending an email to the church office.

Songs and music reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-711734. All rights reserved.