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First Things First
A weekly eNewsletter from
The First Church in Oberlin, United Church of Christ
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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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| | Sunday, March 8th, @ 10AM | |  | Thank you for your donations. | | | |
Sunday's Hymns
What Does the Lord Require of You?
NCH 196: When, like the Woman at the Well
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
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Sunday's Lesson:
John 4:5-42
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Sunday's Order of Worship
Click the button below to follow along with the plan of Sunday's service.
| | | Announcements and Events For..... | | First Church, Its Mission, and Its Ministry | | |
Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time begins THIS Sunday, March 8th. Make sure to spring your clocks an hour ahead!
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Dear First Church Family and Friends -
Jeanne McKibben died on Monday, March 2. A time of visitation/calling hours will be held on Monday, March 9, from 3 - 6pm, (updated time) at Cowling Funeral Home, 228 South Main St., Oberlin. A private burial will take place the following day. A memorial service at First Church at a later date is planned. Details will be announced when available.
| O God, who heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds; look in tender pity and compassion upon your servants whose joy has been turned into mourning. Leave them not comfortless, but grant that they may be drawn closer to you and one another in their common sorrow. Fill their souls with the light and comfort of your presence. So dwell with them and be their God, until the day breaks and the shadows flee away. Amen. | | | |
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Thank You for Your Generosity!
Due to your generosity, we were able to continue our tradition of partnering with other local congregations to observe football’s Super Bowl Sunday by taking up a "Souper Bowl" collection for local food aid and daily feeding programs in our community.
This year, our congregation collected and contributed $933.00!
Thanks for your continued support for this 30-year mission helping the hungry!
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Adult Education THIS SUNDAY, March 8th
Mr. Paul Baumgartner, Executive Director of the Lorain County Free Clinic, will give a presentation on the longstanding history and vital community services provided by the Free Clinic. The LCFC provides comprehensive patient-centered health services by a team of volunteer primary care and specialty physicians, nurses and local hospitals. First Church in Oberlin has been a continuous annual supporter of the Free Clinic for 30 years. The Outreach and Service Committee invites you to come and see what your support is doing in our community.
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Adult Education NEXT SUNDAY, March 15th
Dr. David Grayson, M.D. is a retired family physician and he will provide a discussion on substance abuse, overdose and recovery. Dr. Grayson has experience running a busy Suboxone Clinic treating substance abuse at Firelands Counseling and Recovery in Sandusky from 2019-2022.
Substance abuse is a pervasive and widespread problem in Lorain County that has touched the lives of many of us directly or indirectly. His insightful presentation will review the problem of opiate abuse, overdose and treatment. This will include the community bystander use of Narcan (naloxone) for reversal of opiate overdose and the distribution of Narcan kits and local resources available to interested participants.
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Shake Off the Winter Chill with a Warm Spaghetti Supper!
Join us on Wednesday, March 18 at 5:45 PM for a delicious community meal. We’ll be serving up:
- Hearty Spaghetti (Meatless and Gluten-Free options available!)
- Fresh Salad & Garlic Bread
- A decadent spread of Chocolate Dessert
We Need Your Help!
To make the evening a success, we are looking for:
- 6 Dessert Bakers: Bring your favorite chocolate treat (to serve 10–12).
- 3 Cleanup Stars: Help us clean up after the meal.
RSVP & Sign Up: Register your attendance or volunteer via the link here or on the sign-up board in the Fellowship Hall hallway.
Invite friends, neighbors, and college students! All are welcome— we'll see you there!
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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!
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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:
- By mailing a check made out to The First Church in Oberlin with “OGHS” in the memo line to the church office,
- 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,
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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, the bulletin insert for this year's offering, and an intergenerational activity meant to help us think about and plan how we can share our gifts with others. 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.
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Outgrow: Lenten Devotional
This Lent, shed what you've outgrown!
"There is perhaps nothing more futile than allowing people and circumstances we've outgrown to dictate our direction in the present," writes Kenneth L. Samuel in his introduction to Outgrow.
Lent begins with a divine demonstration of outgrown circumstances: the temptation of Jesus by the devil in Matthew 4. "When Jesus was being tested in the wilderness," Ken Samuel observes, "he had already grown deeper than the superficial sources [of greatness and glory]."
What about you? What temptations in your life have already been overcome by increased insight? What fears have been shed through the development of your faith?
The Stillspeaking Writers invite you into the discipline of Lent, a season in which life's trials do not relent but neither does our growth in the Spirit.
For those that didn't get a hard copy of the book, you are also able to purchase a PDF for $3.00 here. If purchasing the PDF version, please purchase one PDF per reader. Upon purchase, a link will be emailed to you for downloading the PDF.
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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.
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Highlights from the Executive Council Meeting, February 24, 2026
Below is a brief summary of topics discussed at the monthly Executive Council meeting.
- Discussion continued on how best to serve our youth, and to better discern the structure of the Christian Ed program in its new format without a full time staff member. Additional committed Faith Formation Committee members will be needed, as well as help and support from families and congregation members.
- In discussion with Green Team representatives, they expressed a desire for Congregational re-commitment, at the April Annual Meeting, to the 2013 Green Justice Resolution. They are hoping to grow their ranks.
- A decision was made to take down the current outdated Racism content from our website and replace it with a broader statement to include immigrants and people of all colors, LGBTQ+, and differently abled people as well. We will temporarily put up a sign indicating “under construction.”
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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
| | 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.
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Submission information:
Deadline for articles and information is Wednesday at 10 AM.
For entire list of submission requirements, click here. Thank you.
| | Songs and music reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-711734. All rights reserved. | | | | |
