Sunday’s Coming!

We Celebrate 39 Years as an Open & Affirming Congregation

Photo by Daniel Lloyd Blunk-Fernández.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2026

Open and Affirming 39th Anniversary

For the Life of the World:

Be Strong and Courageous

Joshua 1:1-9

Join us for worship this Sunday as we recommit to our Open and Affirming Covenant that was first adopted by the congregation in 1987. Hear the story of Joshua and others throughout history that in the face of adversity obeyed God to be strong and courageous. Also, this morning clarinetist Nick Davies and his quartet will share their gift of music. Come and worship to be encouraged and strengthened.

ALL STUDENTS (early schoolers, elementary, and youth) start in worship and then

go to their Sunday school classrooms

8:15 a.m. – Early Worship | Chapel

9:00 a.m. – Forum Celtic Christianity | Standish Room

9:30 a.m. – Joyful Noise Rehearsal | Chapel

10:30 a.m. – Worship: Sanctuary and Online

11:45 a.m. – Coffee Hour

11:45 a.m. – Faith Singers Choir Rehearsal | Chapel

11:45 a.m. – LGBTQ+ and Allies Ministry Lunch

12:00 p.m. – Young Adults (and Older) Bible Study

12:00 p.m. – Book Study with Dr. Kamau | Heritage Room

5:00 p.m. – High School Mission Trip Gathering | Grace Gallery

LEGACY CAMPAIGN

LAST CALL: Mission & Social Justice Initiative Proposals

Proposals Due this Sunday, 10/18!

Do you have an idea for a mission or social justice initiative you’d like FCC to consider as part of our capital campaign? This Sunday is the final opportunity to submit a proposal. Complete the Initiative Proposal form and email it to discernmentteamfcc@gmail.com, or submit your proposal online. Questions? Contact the Discernment Team. View the timeline.

Embracing Our Legacy, Shaping Our Future

Relive the energy and inspiration of Pastor Chris’s Kickoff message

and Libby Black and Jon Hinebauch’s campaign skit. Even during the expected quieter week while your campaign packets were in the mail, you helped raise more than $100,000! With 45 pledges – about 13% of our active congregation – we are nearly 60% of the way to our $4 million goal. God is good – and so are you. Thank you to everyone who has pledged! Campaign packets are now in your hands (if not, please call the

office – 303.442.1787), and volunteers are reaching out. Please prayerfully consider your commitment and be ready to join the conversation. Every pledge matters – and everyone’s support is needed!

HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

Gun Violence Prevention:

All the Empty Rooms, Film Series

Friday, 10/16, 6:00-7:30 p.m. | Community UCC, 2650 Table Mesa Drive

On behalf of our partners at Community UCC, our Gun Violence Prevention (GVP) Ministry invites you to attend a screening of the Oscar winning film All the Empty Rooms. Join us for an evening of community building around ending gun violence, becoming better advocates through resource sharing and a chance for a mini-training on testifying, writing letters and more. Food, drinks and childcare will be provided.

Get free tickets.

Fall Highway 36 Clean-Up

Saturday, 10/17, 9:00-11:00 a.m. | Route 36, FCC Adopt-a-Highway Site

Join us for the First Cong Fall Highway Cleanup! We will gather on Lefthand Canyon Dr. adjacent to the Greenbriar Inn to conduct this cleanup on Route 36. Covered toes and long pants are strongly recommended. Some work gloves provided. Orange vests and bags provided by CDOT. It’s a beautiful area of the county and the cleanup is much-appreciated by bike riders passing by. Coffee and donuts will be provided by the Climate Action Team. While RSVP's are not required it is helpful if you can contact Allison Hamm to volunteer. (There will be time to participate in the No Kings event in the afternoon!)

The Land Returns: Film Screening

and Conversation

Saturday, 10/17, 2:00-4:00 p.m. | Plymouth Hall

This new documentary film explores three Land Back stories: a Nebraska landowner who returned land to the Pawnee Nation, the town of Eureka, California, which returned an island to the Wiyot Nation, and Boulder, where work continues to return land to the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute Nations. Following the one-hour screening, filmmaker Margaret Jacobs will be joined by Jerilyn DeCoteau and Rick Williams for conversation. See the trailer and register online.

SUNDAY EVENTS

Forum: Celtic Christianity, Story, Spirit, and Pilgrimage

Sunday, October 18, 9:00 a.m. | Standish Room

Come explore Celtic spirituality, rooted in land, sea, and sky, with Rev. Hal Chorpenning and Rev. Jane Anne Ferguson, whose pilgrimages in Ireland and Scotland have deepened their connection to this enduring tradition.

Young Adults (and Older) Bible Study

Sunday, October 18, Noon | Conference Room

Join Lianna Campos as we explore the lives of women in the Bible. This week: The Bleeding Woman in Mark 5:21-34. Everyone is welcome! Contact Lianna.

Book Study with Dr. Pius Kamau

Sunday, October 18, Noon | Heritage Room

Join Drew Schwartz and author Dr. Pius Kamau for a lively conversation about his memoir, Running with Lions, and healthcare in Africa and the U.S. Bring a bag lunch; books available for $15. Contact Drew.

LGBTQ+ and Allies Ministry Lunch

Sunday, 10/18, 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

On the third Sunday of each month the LGBTQ+ and Allies Ministry gather for food, fun, fellowship, and ministry business. Each person is responsible to bring their own lunch and drink. You can also bring a snack to share if you like. If you are a visitor on the third Sunday and want to join us, please see one of the pastors after the service and they will help you find the group. We will have an extra sandwich to share. Please join us. If would like more info, please contact Linda Kowatch.

CROP Hunger Walk – Walkers and Supporters

Sunday, 10/18 – Registration from 1:00-1:30 p.m. and Walk at 2:00 p.m. | First UMC Lafayette

WANTED: Crop Walkers! No, not to pick crops... the Crop Hunger Walk raises funds and awareness for Community Food Share, committed to helping feed people in need in our community, and Church World Service, who provide disaster relief around the world. Dust off your walking shoes and join us! Walk and/or donate here and stop by the Crop Walk Table in the Link. Contact Lianna for more information.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Soup Kitchen Volunteers Needed

Sunday, 10/25/26 Sign Up Here

Help provide a good meal and welcoming space for our unhoused neighbors. First Cong’s September Soup Kitchen is Sunday, 10/25/26 and we still need 3 volunteers for the First Shift (9:00a.m. – 11:30a.m. You will assist in preparing the food.) Sign up here (LINK) as an individual, family or small group. Invite a friend and serve! For info or questions contact: Soo Rhee or Linda Kowatch.

Update from the Search Committee

The committee is reviewing profiles from interested candidates and is thoughtfully engaged in the discernment process, including some initial interviews via Zoom. They are prayerfully looking for the next Associate Minister who will respond to God’s call to become part of our church family, work with our congregational care and social justice activities, and continue to lead us forward in following the teachings of Jesus.

Interfaith Food Packing Event

Friday, 10/23, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Atonement Lutheran Church Boulder, 685 Inca Pkwy, Boulder

Feed My Starving Children is coming to Atonement Lutheran Church and we are invited! Across three days at this interfaith event, they will be packing 100,000 meals and need your help. Join other FCC folks on Friday evening and pack nourishing meals for children around the world. Contact Lianna to participate.

Trunk or Treat: Volunteer Call-Out!

10/25, 2:00-4:00 p.m.| West Parking Lot

This year to celebrate Halloween, we are hosting Trunk or Treat. We’ll decorate our car trunks so children and folks of all ages can come trick-or-treating! Come for a fun afternoon of Halloween festivities.

We are looking for Trunk Hosts and lots of treats! Trunk hosts decorate the trunks of their vehicles and pass out treats. P.S. There will be prizes for the top 3 decorated trunks! Please sign up to be a trunk host here. Treat donations will be collected in the Link starting October 4th.

Call for Art: Fall Member Art Show – November

Creativity is alive and well at First Congregational! Share your artistic gifts in our Fall Member Art Show, on display from early November through early January. All mediums are welcome – including painting, drawing, photography, fiber, textiles, and more. There are no size limits! Interested in participating? Contact Melody Fuller for details and submission information.

COMING IN NOVEMBER

Those Who Sing Pray Twice: An Evening of Prayer, Song, and Fellowship

Sunday, 11/1, 5:30 p.m. | Sanctuary

As midterm elections approach, join us for Scripture, prayer, candlelight, and special music as we renew our faith amid uncertain times. Stay afterward for conversation and a potluck of savory hors d’oeuvres in the Link. Bring an appetizer to share if you wish.

Sawyer Memorial Organ Concert

Friday, 11/6, 7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary

Enjoy the annual Sawyer Memorial Organ Concert, made possible by the Sawyer Organ Endowment Fund. This year features Clarion, an organ and trumpet duo with acclaimed musicians Melody Turnquist-Steed and Keith Benjamin, performing contemporary music.

How to Build Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

Saturday, 11/7, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | Plymouth Hall

Join Right Relationship Boulder, Lyla June Johnson, and the Re-Human School for a daylong training on building meaningful relationships and effective solidarity with Native people. Through videos, small-group discussion, and conversation, explore becoming more effective allies and accomplices. Cost: $60, with contributions based on ability to pay. Bring your own lunch. Register here.

Peter W. Marty: Christian Faith and Character Formation

Sunday, 11/8, 10:30 a.m. | Worship, Sanctuary and Online

Noon | Congregational Conversation, Plymouth Hall

Welcome Rev. Peter W. Marty, editor and publisher of The Christian Century, for worship and conversation on how faith shapes who we are and how we live. Peter will preach at 10:30 a.m. and lead a noon conversation on wisdom, compassion, courage, and humility. Includes light lunch.

Louder Than Guns: A Film and Conversation on Gun Violence

Monday, 11/9, 2026, 7:00-9:00 p.m. | Dairy Arts Center

Join FCC’s Gun Violence Prevention Ministry for Louder Than Guns, a documentary by Old Crow Medicine Show founder Ketch Secor. After the screening, NPR host and filmmaker David Greene and filmmaker Doug Pray will discuss gun violence as a public health issue and how music, listening, and honest dialogue can help us find common ground.

Memorial Service for Helen Connolly

Monday, 11/9, 11:00 a.m. | Sanctuary

Join us in remembering Helen Connolly, mother of Karen Connolly and mother-in-law of Pam Archer.

A reception will follow in Plymouth Hall.

Pius K. Kamau: Running with Lions

Wednesday, 11/11, 6:30 p.m. | Sanctuary

In partnership with Boulder Bookstore, join physician and author Pius K. Kamau for a talk and book signing of Running with Lions, his memoir of growing up in colonial Kenya, surviving violence and hardship, and pursuing an education that led from a rural village to a career in medicine. Tickets are $10 plus a processing fee; books purchased at the event are 20% off. Get tickets.

Cantabile Singers: “You Belong”

Friday, 11/13, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 11/15, 3:00 p.m. | Sanctuary

Cantabile Singers invites FCC members to “You Belong,” the opening concert of its 2026-27 season, All of Us, celebrating inclusion, love, and belonging. Save 20% on tickets for the November 13 concert when purchased by October 31. Use code FCC1113 at cantabilesingers.org/concerts. The season culminates in May with Craig Hella Johnson’s Considering Matthew Shepard, honoring the young gay man murdered in Wyoming in 1998.

PILGRIMAGE AND TOUR

Join Us on a Celtic Pilgrimage in Scotland!

May 6-18, 2027 | More Information Here

If you are ready to take a deep dive into Celtic Christian Spirituality, please join the Revs. Jane Anne Ferguson and Hal Chorpenning on a pilgrimage that includes ancient standing stones, an extended visit to Iona, a pilgrimage walk around St. Andrews with a renowned scholar from Scotland’s oldest university, two nights on Holy Island (Lindisfarne), and a visit to Edinburgh and Inchcolm, a monastic island in the Firth of Forth. Together, we’ll journey, worship, explore, and enjoy companionship along the way. Jane Anne and Hal have been longtime students of Celtic Christian spirituality and have led pilgrimages in Ireland and Scotland.

2027 Resonance Tour with Kajsa

6/27-7/7, 2027

Our Director of Music, Kajsa Teitelbaum, has been invited to serve as one of three music directors for the 2027 Resonance Music Tour, which is heading to Germany and the Czech Republic. The trip, planned for June 27-July 7, is open for singers, handbell ringers, and anyone who loves music and culture. We will visit and perform in Berlin, Wittenberg, Leipzig, Prague, and many other places with cultural and historical significance. For more information, contact Kajsa.

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