Read Treasurer Jenny Jones's most recent report here.

Worship, October 18

Jesus Has Left the Building

Our next “Jesus Has Left the Building” event is this Sunday, October 18.

This outreach event includes an abbreviated worship service in Memorial Hall, followed by three activities to choose from.

One activity will be gardening with Seed St. Louis. Persons interested in gardening with Seed will need to complete a waiver. There will be printed copies available in the Narthex. If you would like to download the form and bring it in, click here for the adult form and here for the minor form. There will also be a devotional Labyrinth Walk at the Mercy Center and a meal prep operation taking place at First Church.

Learn more here.

Invitation to Commitment 2027

(with Consecration Sunday, November 15)

This year’s Stewardship theme is “There Our Hearts Will Be,” a reference to Matthew 6:21, in which Christ says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Over the next few weeks, devotional inserts about the importance of Christian stewardship will be included in each bulletin, as well as an invitation to make a commitment to First Church for 2027. Pledge cards are available from the Narthex table. Or pledge online – go to bit.ly/Pledge-2027 and complete the form. Our hope is to complete in-gathering of pledges with our Consecration Sunday service, November 15. Thank you for your generosity!

Five Pounds Left!

(We're within spitting distance

of our goal for the Rainbow Bench!)

If you are able to donate more caps for the Rainbow Bench, please do so! We will accept more than 5 lbs. in order to have wiggle room. After we've reached our goal, Sharon Love will drive to the factory where caps are turned into benches!

Chiller Is IN!

We are thrilled to announce that our new chiller was installed this week! It shouldn't take more than several days. While the Chiller Fund Campaign raised over $220,000 in commitments, Adam reports that $24,500 of the 2026 pledges has yet to be turned in. If the 2026 portion of your commitment has not been submitted we encourage you to do so very soon.  

Meanwhile, Facility Manager Chip Isringhaus was kind enough to capture a video of the old chiller being lifted out via crane! Take a look here here on our Facebook page.

Bible Journey

Exodus - Leviticus

Wednesdays through November 11 at 7:00PM

In person in the Parlor (or virtual if needed)

Our Bible Journey is a weekly gathering on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM, in the Church Parlor. The object of Bible Journey is eventually to explore the entire Bible with others.

Sign up by clicking here or on the image above!

CROP Walk Thanks &

Dewey's Pizza, October 27

Thanks to all who walked, tabled, and donated to the CROP Walk. We raised $1,526! Three-fourths of donations go to the relief, development, refugee, and advocacy work of Church World Service. The remaining one-fourth is distributed to Webster-Rock Hill Ministries and two other nonprofits providing food to those without it!

Eat pizza! Raise dough!

If you are interested in continuing to support Church World Service and CROP, consider ordering from Dewey's Pizza Creve Coeur (736 N. New Ballas Rd., 63141) on Tuesday, October 27, from 4 to 9PM. Dewey's Pizza Creve Coeur is a Quick Service Restaurant with both dine-in and counter service. Your best option is to order online or call-in for carryout at 314-779-3010. However you get your pizza, be sure to mention "Giveback Night" or "GBN." Dewey's then will donate up to 20% of your total to CWS/CROP.

If you want simply to give to CWS/CROP, you can do so at

CROPHungerWalk.org/saintlouismo

Habitat Work Day Update

by Phil Shoulberg

We had an excellent Habitat for Humanity Workday last Saturday. We had a picture perfect day working on a house at the corner of Park and Tucker, some eight blocks east of Lafayette Square. Most of the day was spent cutting, lifting and nailing down second story sub floor. Working directly with the future homeowner, Angela, it was difficult work, but everyone took it in stride and worked hard. I think if you asked Natalie Brunk, Neil Hoffsten, Julie McHugh or Rebecca Stark, they would confirm it was a rewarding day. To see more photos, click here.

The house we worked on was one of ten in the "Pope Leo" Village. Approximately four of those dwellings are still under construction. Habitat is started an aggressive build project in an area that shares a northern border with University City. Beginning on October 1st, they are building forty new houses in eighteen months!  

You can support Habitat directly by attending the Songs of Hope and Warning concert on Friday, October 16 (details below). Two nationally known folk musicians, Charlie King and Rick Burnhardt, will perform in our sanctuary. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the door.  

TONIGHT

"Songs of Hope and Warning"

First Church IS hosting a concert TONIGHT (October 16) featuring nationally known folk artists Charlie King and Rick Burkhardt. Proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity.  Purchase tickets here.

Rick Burkhardt is an Obie-award-winning performer, composer, and playwright. He toured nationally with the satirical political cabaret duo, The Prince Myshkins. His songs have been featured on ‘Democracy Now’ and ‘Morning Edition.’ Charlie King is a musical storyteller and political satirist. He has been at the heart of American folk music for 60 years. His songs have been recorded and sung by Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Ronnie Gilbert, Arlo Guthrie, and Chad Mitchell. Charlie & Rick have been recording and touring together for the past 25 years – edgy harmonies, incendiary lyrics, powerful instrumentation and theatrical hijinks – a show not to be missed!

Ballot Info for November 3 election

The October Ballot Issues Forum that was held at Webster Presbyterian on 10-4-26 was extremely informative. The YouTube taping of the event is ready for viewing on WGPC’s channel here. The video starts at 9:15.

Meanwhile, Doug Miller has included a quick non-partisan guide from League of Women Voters of Metro St. Louis about the ballot issues.

See it here.

Early/Appointment Voting

(Not at First Church)

October 20 – November 3

We've received some calls at the office, inquiring about voting early or by appointment. Please note: First Church IS a polling place for the November 3 election, but it IS NOT a satellite site for early or appointment voting. To learn more about voting early or by appointment, visit the County Election Board website.

Save the Date!

CPR and First Aid Training

Sunday, November 8

will be offered by the Webster Groves Fire Department on Sunday, November 8th, following worship. This basic class will not provide certification but will offer some basic skills and information. First Friends team members are encouraged to participate, but the class is open to everyone. As it will last 2 hours, we suggest you bring a sack lunch or snack to eat between worship and the class. In order to provide enough materials, please reach out to Sharon Love (314-691-0631) if you are interested in attending, or email her here.

Rebuild St. Louis Bingo Night

at Holy Redeemer, October 24

Join Rebuild St. Louis at Holy Redeemer on Saturday, October 24 at 7PM (doors open at 6:15). Funds will go towards assisting local homeowners with repairs. Cash and other prizes available!

Entry fee is $30 per person and includes 10 games of bingo, soft drinks, and light snacks.

For more information, call Julie at 314-496-4567 or click here.

Thanks to Doug Miller for bringing this to our attention!

Empty Bowls Dinner

Webster-Rock Hill Ministries, November 8

The Empty Bowls fundraiser for Webster Rock Hill Ministries returns, Saturday, November 8, from 4:30 to 7:00PM! Join WRHM on Sunday, November 8 from 4:30PM to 7PM. Taking place at Webster Hills Methodist Christian Life Center at 1333 W. Lockwood Avenue, all funds raised will support food and other outreach programs at Webster-Rock Hill Ministries. $25 for Adults, $10 for students K-12, and children under 5 eat free. Learn more and purchase advance tickets here.

Yankee Swap December 6, 1pm

Save the date!

Garie Perry's famous Yankee Swap will take place on Sunday, December 6, this year. More information to follow.

MEAL-A-MONTH

October Meal-a-Month Shopping List

Canned Chicken & Dumplings (low salt)

Canned Green Vegetable (low or no salt)

Canned Fruit in own juices

Powdered Milk, shelf stable milk, soy milk

Whole Wheat Flour • Peanut Butter

Real Fruit Jelly • Dried Fruits

What’s Going on at First Church

For a complete calendar of all church events and building use,

please click here for our online calendar.

Friday, October 16

7:00PM Concert "Songs of Hope and Warning" - Sanctuary

Sunday, October 18

"Jesus Has Left the Building" Outreach Event

9:45AM Nursery Care Available

10:00AM Worship (All Ages)

11:00AM Confirmation Field Trip: Hindu Temple

Monday, October 19

7:00PM Executive Ministry - Zoom

Tuesday, October 20

10:30AM Staff Meeting - Church Office

6:30PM Confirmation - Library

Wednesday, October 21

9:30AM Yoga with Jeanene - Inglis

7:00PM Bible Journey - Parlor

Thursday, October 22

6:00PM Canterbury Bells - Sanctuary

7:30PM Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Sunday, October 25

Reformation Sunday

9:45AM Nursery Care Available

10:00AM Worship

Trick-or-Treating in the pews during Postlude

Candy provided!

10:15AM Kids' Church

11:05 AM Coffee Fellowship

11:30AM Pastoral Relations Committee

Joyce Haynes McCowan - October 3

Kathy Weyhrich - October 3

Gabriel Cohen - October 5

Patrick Byrne - October 7

Wayne Dierker - October 9

Rod Cooper - October 10

Margaret Gustafson - October 15

Emily Polaske - October 16

Marilyn Claggett - October 18

Wally Polaske - October 20

Elston McCowan - October 24

Braeden Hood - October 29

David Denoon - October 30

The Listen Everywhere system is our new accommodation for people who need assisted-listening. Listen Everywhere can be downloaded to your phone and can be used with or without hearing aids. If your phone is incompatible with the Listen system, we also have stand-alone units available. Please see Mark Metcalf, this Sunday, to get started using the Listen system, or email him at markmetcalf@firstchurchwg.org.

Let Breeze Serve as Your Church Directory

If you would like to access the church directory, change your listing there, or check on your donations, Breeze is the app for you!

Here are a few simple steps, for you to access information from and about the church on your personal devices:

1. Download the breeze app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play store (Android phone)!
2. The app will ask you to provide your Church ID, which is is: fccwgstlmo
3. Last, use your Username and Password to log into the app! (If you don't know your Username, contact the Church Office.)

To download a flier about using the Breeze website or app, including further instructions, click here.

To access the Breeze website, click on this link.

Give to First Church

CLICK HERE to donate online,

to make a pledge to the church.

Otherwise, you can send a check payable to “FCCWG” to:

First Congregational Church

10 W. Lockwood Ave.

Webster Groves, MO 63119

Sunday bulletins can be found by clicking here. They are uploaded by Friday for the upcoming Sunday.

Watch recorded videos of Sunday worship and other events on our YouTube page.