As always, The Gathering begins at 5:30 PM with a complimentary light supper—this week featuring mini sandwiches and chips—followed by a brief time of worship. At 6 PM, children and youth will head off for Mid-Week Missions and choir rehearsals, while adults are invited to stay for a new engaging study by Glen Miles.

More about The Gospel According to Jesus

You’ve likely read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. You may have even heard of the Gospels of Thomas, Mary, and Peter—those that didn’t make it into the Bible. But what if we could distill the heart of Jesus’ teachings into one essential message?

This Wednesday at The Gathering, we’ll explore exactly that: The Gospel According to Jesus. Using Adam Hamilton’s newest book, The Message of Jesus, along with other contemporary sources, we’ll uncover the central themes of Jesus’ teachings and what they mean for us today. You may be surprised at just how relevant Jesus’ words continue to be! No need to read the book in advance—we’ll have a few copies available at Church Merch if you’d like to dive deeper.

We are excited to share this experience with you.

You're Invited to Worship at First Community!

Join Us This Sunday: "Thy Will Be Done, Thy Kingdom Come"

This Sunday morning at First Community, Glen Miles will deliver an inspiring message titled “Thy Will Be Done, Thy Kingdom Come,” based on 2 Peter 1:16-21.

In this simple yet meaningful passage, an early church preacher reminds us that the message of Jesus is not based on falsehoods or clever stories but on the experiences of those who followed him and witnessed his teaching. This pastor invites us to pay attention to the transformative light of God’s grace, helping us find a way through life’s uncertainties. Join us for worship as we reflect on the hope of faith, the inspiration of God’s mercy, and the call to live boldly in Christ’s love.

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday at First Community—come and be encouraged!

📍 Service Times & Locations:

🕘 9 AM | First Community North

🕙 10 AM | First Community South

🕚 11 AM | First Community North

This week in Sunday school

• The K-2^nd class at 9 am and K-1^st class at 11 am will read the picture book, Who Is My Neighbor? by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. In this sweet take on Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan, the Blues and the Yellows don’t mix – everyone knows that. Then one day Midnight Blue takes a tumble. I wonder what will happen next.  
• The 3rd-5^th grade class at 9 am, K-5^th class at 10 am, and 2nd-3^rd grade class at 11 am will hear the Godly Play story, The Good Samaritan. Jesus taught we should “Love our neighbor as ourselves.” When he was asked, “But who is our neighbor?” Jesus answered with this story.  
• The 4^th- 7^th grade class at 11 am will discuss, Isaiah’s Peaceful Kingdom. In the Old Testament, Isaiah describes his vision of a peaceful kingdom. After reading from Isaiah, we will explore poetry from the Sufi tradition, then compare how these works are the same and how they are different.

*Please note, Midweek Missions will not meet on Wednesday, March 5. Families are welcome to attend the Ash Wednesday service that evening.

Please go here to register for all K-12, 24/25 programs.

A Generous Gift of Knowledge and Protection

At First Community, generosity takes many forms—through acts of service, financial gifts, and the sharing of knowledge that strengthens our community. Recently, Rev. John Girard facilitated a Darkness to Light training, equipping participants with the tools to protect children and create safer spaces for all. The impact of this training was deeply felt, as shared in an email from Kathy Jackson, one of the attendees:

"Thank you so much for leading such an informative training. I truly learned so much, and it has made me think more critically about how I can do my part in protecting children. I appreciate the resources you provided and the space you created for meaningful discussion."

Kathy’s gratitude reflects the generosity of spirit that defines our church family. By offering this vital training, Rev. Girard extended First Community’s mission of compassion and care beyond our walls, empowering others to be advocates for the vulnerable.

When we give—whether it is our time, our expertise, or our willingness to engage in challenging conversations—we embody Christ’s call to love and protect one another. Your commitment to learning and advocacy is a true act of generosity, one that will have a lasting impact on countless lives.

Toddler Room! 🧸✨

If you're looking for a nurturing, engaging environment for your little one, now is the perfect time to enroll.

For more information, contact Leigh Anne Easterling at 📧 leasterling@FCchurch.com

Spread the word and share with families who might be interested!

Click on each graphic for more information or to register.

Bible 201 beginning Sunday, March 2

Donations made to Heart to Heart through March 31 will be doubled up to $20,000 thanks to the generosity of Duke Thomas. The success of this fundraiser directly impacts our ability to serve the greater Columbus community, including neighbors like Stacia Billings. In the video, Heart to Heart client, Stacia, reflects on the positive impact Heart to Heart has had on her life.

We are grateful for the generosity of the donors who contributed so far. As of Wednesday, we have raised $10,369.00 toward our $20,000 goal. If you would like to contribute to this matching campaign, please visit h2h.FCchurch.com/donate.

Your gift helps us live out our vision to serve the world.

Please consider a gift in memory or an honorarium to the

Church or Foundation.

Click here to securely give online.

Some content in this edition was generated with the help of artificial intelligence.