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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First Church, Its Mission, and Its Ministry

Regular Meeting of Congregation

The regular meeting of the First Church congregation will be held immediately following worship TODAY, Sunday, February 1, 2026. At this meeting the 2026 budget recommended by the Executive Council will be presented for a congregational vote.

A quorum is required, so please plan to attend.

Prayers for Doug Long, former First Church Pastor

Following his time serving First Church, Doug Long became the founding pastor of Umstead Community United Church of Christ (UPUCC) in Raleigh, North Carolina. He retired in 2024.

We recently received the following news from former First Church member, Rob Thompson.

"Our UPUCC Community offers prayers and love for Doug Long, founding pastor of UPUCC, and his wife Janice Odom, as Doug recovers from a recent stroke. Janice let us know that Doug is "doing better every day." Doug and Janice have asked for no visitors or calls to allow space for rest. They value our prayers and welcome our cards. If you would like to contact Doug and/or Janice, please contact the First Church office for their contact information."

Check out the Attached Document to See Peter Caldwell-Kepner's Call for Help with His Eagle Scout Service Project!

ATTENTION: The birthday luncheon has been moved to February 8th. 

Here I am, Lord. I will be your light.

Celebrate our Stewardship theme one more time! This time by rejoicing in the successful accomplishment of our pledging. Pledges now total $350.441.00 provided from 83 pledging units. As we were exhorted to go “over the top” in the last stewardship article in the newsletter, this result represents the generous giving that was made possible by the family of faithful Christians here at First Church.  

Generous giving must now be followed by faithful discipling!! We must answer the Holy imperative to use this money to advance God’s redeeming work within First Church, in the community of Oberlin and throughout our world. As followers of Christ, we must continue to live up to the high calling of our Mission Statement during 2026.  

Representative of our theme, I decided to insert a beautiful story from Guideposts Magazine.* Enjoy reading about the couple who wrote the favorite Christmas song,

“Do You Hear What I Hear?”

“In October 1962, the U.S. and the Soviet Union were embroiled in the Cuban Missile Crisis. Noel Regney could feel the fear and despair as he walked New York City. A producer had tasked him with creating a Christmas song, but how could Regney focus on peace and goodwill when the world hovered on the brink of nuclear disaster? He knew firsthand the horrors of war. Like many Frenchmen during WWII, he’d been forced into the Nazi army, and had been shot before deserting to join the French Resistance.

Near his apartment, Regney passed two mothers with smiling babies in strollers. His mood lifted. The babies reminded him of innocent lambs, and the words came to him: “Said the night wind to the little lamb…”

He rushed home to pen more lyrics, loosely basing, “Do You Hear What I Hear?” on Jesus’ Nativity as told in the Gospels. He asked his wife, Gloria Shayne, to compose the music, though it was Shayne who usually wrote the lyrics for Regney's compositions. The couple was moved by the promise of the child who would “bring us goodness and light.” As Shayne recalled, “It broke us up. We cried.”

Regney’s poignant plea for peace has been recorded by more than 120 artists, including Bing Crosby, Robert Goulet, Johnny Mathis and Whitney Houston. In these times, and in all times, the immortal words echo: “Pray for peace, people, everywhere.”

Blessings to you from the Stewardship Committee.

*Submitted with permission by “Guideposts Magazine”, 100 Reserve Road, Suite E200, Danbury, CT 06810, Dec/Jan 2026, by Kimberly Elkins, Editor.

Ash Wednesday Service, Wednesday, February 18th, at 7:00 p.m.

Come early for a light supper of bread and soup - 6:00 p.m.*

*RSVP for supper is encouraged by not required; sign up on the bulletin board in the hallway or electronically here.

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.

Furniture Moving Group

Our Furniture Moving Group is such a hit among our renters that we are EXPANDING the group and adding some people so no one gets burnt out! Some questions you may have before joining the group:

• What is the Furniture Moving Group? Folks who rearrange furniture on the stage in the Meeting House for various community events for the church.
• How often do you move furniture? As often as you'd like! The amount of times Miranda asks for help from the group varies in the year, but the busiest times of year are usually the late fall, early winter, and general spring time. We do ask for help in the other times, though!
• What do we ask to move? Anything that is on the stage EXCEPT THE PIANO could be moved off of the stage, and the piano can be moved around the stage.
• How will you know how to move these delicate items on this delicate stage? We will train you! There are casters on everything that you may be moving, as well! 

Please consider joining this crew because it takes a village to provide space for our community! Thank you for your consideration.

Highlights from the Executive Council Meeting, January 20, 2025

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

• The Anti-racism information on the church website will be updated and improved.

• We are still in need of additional volunteers to run the audio and streaming on Sunday mornings. Several of our regular volunteers have had to take a break. We are fortunate to have three of our youth helping now, but are looking for additional back-up.

• It was determined that another First Church Spring Festival and presence in the Big Parade would be a positive community activity. Anyone who would like to be a part of this “only in Oberlin” experience should contact the Moderator.

Liturgist Coordinator

Are you looking for a way to support worship at First Church without taking on a monthly committee meeting? The First Church worship committee is looking for a new Liturgist Coordinator. This important volunteer is responsible for lining up a liturgist each Sunday. Don't worry, there is no shortage of potential liturgists! Becky Thompson has built a strong cadre of liturgist volunteers over the years she has served so successfully in this role. She will turn a well-tuned process over to her successor. If you are interested, please contact Peter Thomas (pjthomasmathbio@gmail.com).

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.