06.05.2026

First Things First



A weekly eNewsletter from

The First Church in Oberlin, United Church of Christ

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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the entire First Things First, or click here.

Worship Resources

Sunday, June 7th, @ 10AM

Thank you for your donations.

Sunday's Hymns


NCH 461: Let Us Hope when Hope Seems Hopeless

NCH 76: Sent Forth by God's Blessing

Sunday's Lesson:



Matthew 9:9-13

Sunday's Order of Worship


Click the button below to follow along with the plan of Sunday's service.

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.

Magnifica Humanitas


Pope Leo XIV's recent encyclical is a timely reflection on seeking the common good in an age of artificial intelligence. In providing a foundation for his arguments, the Pope reminds us of some fundamental principles regarding human dignity and social justice. The Pope intentionally timed the release of his encyclical to coincide with the 135th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum which has come to be known as the Social Doctrine of the Church. I encourage you to read Magnifica Humanitas (and not an AI summary). I think you will find considerable food for thought.


Grace and Peace,

David Hill, Pastor

Announcements and Events For.....

First Church, Its Mission, and Its Ministry

Join us to extend First Church’s Open & Affirming welcome!


We are hosting a table/booth at Oberlin PRIDE on Saturday, June 27 from 12-4pm at Oberlin College Science Center (119 Woodland St) rain or shine!  


Help us convey this welcome to all!


We are seeking volunteers to host a shift at our table! The shifts will be as follows: 11-12 (help set-up), 12-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 (break down). We will have copies of our new O&A flyer, bumper stickers, candy and other goodies to hand out. Come prepared to have fun and extend our radical welcome message and affirm in person that First Church is truly open and affirming to all God’s children. Please sign up at the welcome table after worship on Sunday or email to Barbara and Scott Reed (barscoreed@aol.com).

SPECIAL REMINDER


All Church Welcome to the Celebration of Dylan Gargasz and Kirstynn Hofman on June 6th, 2026 here at First Church at 2:30 PM. Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. 

Juneteenth


The office will be closed on Friday, June 19th for Juneteenth. We will be back in the office on Monday, June 22nd.

Jeanne McKibben Memorial Service and Reception


Sunday, July 12, 2:00 p.m., The First Church in Oberlin, UCC. Details to follow

Summer Storytime Sign-up!


Come get to know the church's wonderful kids - by reading a story to them during the sermon portion of worship this summer! Stories will be provided, or you can bring your own, and our wonderful childcare workers will be there to lend a hand. A sign-up sheet is in the gallery. Thanks in advance for taking the time to get to know the children of the church!

Ever Wanted to Play the Steel Drum?


O Steel, Oberlin College's steel drum band, will be offering an ExCo course this fall. The ExCo or Experimental College is run by college students and offers a variety of free classes that are led by students, faculty, and community members. Registration is not until early September but you can contact O Steel for more information by emailing either sgorby@oberlin.edu or osteel@oberlin.edu. to learn more this summer. O Steel recently performed at First Church as part of our Spring Festival. 

First Church is once again participating in the Oberlin Community Services Annual Jaqui Willis Back to School Supply Drive!


Look for the Gray Tote Box the next time you come to the church and drop off some of the following materials, if possible!


Thanks for your consideration!

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.

The Wider Community

Additional Links & Information

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.

Submission information:
Deadline for articles and information is Wednesday at 10 AM.
For entire list of submission requirements, click here. Thank you.
Email information to: office@firstchurchoberlin.org

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