Worship at 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. and Conversation with Dr. Reiland Rabaka at 11:45 a.m.

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Awake My Soul by Mike Moyers from Art in the Christian Tradition,

a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2025

WORSHIP AT 8:30 AND 10:30 a.m.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Agape: A Biblical Blueprint for Building the Beloved Community

1 John 1:5-7


At 8:30 a.m. join in the Chapel for a Contemplative Prayer Service – short readings, extended moments of silence, quiet singing, and holy communion.

 

At 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary and online, we are delighted to welcome as our preacher Dr. Reiland Rabaka, the Founder and Director of the Center for African & African American Studies at CU Boulder. Following worship Dr. Rabaka will join us for a congregational conversation on Allyship, the work of CAAAS, and the commitment to building the Beloved Community. We also welcome the worship leadership of Minister Glenda Strong Robinson and Madelyn Strong Woodley, members of Second Baptist Church and friends of First Congregational Church.

08:30 a.m. | Contemplative Prayer Worship – Chapel


09:15 a.m. | Forum: Gun Violence Prevention – Standish Room


09:30 a.m. | Pick a Party Sign-Ups – Link


09:30 a.m. | Combined Joyful Noise and Faith Singers Rehearsal – Sanctuary


09:45 a.m. | Chancel Choir Rehearsal – Chapel


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

10:30 a.m. | Our toddlers and preschoolers start in the Toddler Room for play,

10:30 a.m. | a story, and a simple snack.

10:30 a.m. | Elementary children and Youth are staying through worship. Quiet worship activities

10:30 a.m. | are available at the table next to the choir loft.


11:45 a.m. | Coffee Break – Link


11:45 a.m. | Conversation with Dr. Rabaka – Sanctuary | Online


05:00 p.m. | Youth Group Games Night with Chipotle Dinner – Standish Room



HAPPENING SUNDAY

Forum: Gun Violence Prevention

Legislative Update

Sunday, 4/6 at 9:15 a.m. | Standish Room and Online

Please join the Gun Violence Prevention (GVP) Ministry for a forum led by Peter Gurfein of Giffords Gun Owners for Safety, a group focused on common sense gun safety legislation and responsible gun ownership. Peter keeps close tabs on GVP legislation in the Colorado legislature. He is returning after our November forum and will bring us up to date on the status of legislation in the 2025 session. For more information contact Carol Young. Childcare provided.

Sign-Up for a Pick a Party Youth Fundraiser

Sign-Up Starts Sunday, 4/6 at 9:15 a.m. in the Link

In June, our high school youth will travel to Fort Worth for a mission focused on food insecurity – hands-on activities at community gardens, food pantries, and advocacy for affordable healthy food access. You can support their trip by signing up for church-hosted parties. Options include dinners, a picnic, a parents’ night out, and a jazz concert. Visit the table in the Link on 4/6 to reserve your spot. We're also hosting a silent auction with handmade crafts, services, and more. Click here to bid. Auction runs from 4/6 at 6 p.m. to 5/2 at 6 p.m. Got an item or service to donate? Email Bob Brown and we'll add it to the auction.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Lenten Concert Series

Thursday, 4/10 at 6:00 p.m. | Sanctuary

Join us for a special Lenten Concert featuring violinist Charlie Bistodeau and pianist Christine Teng. Charlie, a frequent visitor to our church, is a Boulder-based freelance musician. He has performed with numerous orchestras and recently earned his Master’s in Violin Performance from CU Boulder. Christine, our Children’s and Youth Choir Accompanist, is a talented collaborative pianist and a Doctoral candidate at CU. Don’t miss this beautiful evening of music and reflection!

Active Hope with Monica Mueller, Ph. D.

Sunday, 4/27 | Standish Room

Lunch provided at 11:30 a.m. Program will start promptly at 12:00 p.m.

Are you alarmed by worsening conditions in our world? Would you like to strengthen and nourish your capacity to make a difference? Active Hope is about finding, and offering, our best response when facing concerns about our world situation. Co-sponsored by CAT and the MHM/A2A. Questions? Email scschulte50@icloud.com or mc@marycatherine.com.

Free Book Exchange

Do you have some favorite reading materials to share on religion, spirituality, or topics that support our faith in action and social justice commitments? Please consider donating books or periodicals that represent our collective faith journeys to the greater church community. Jane Thomas and Pat Whitaker are organizing a free book exchange:

a bookshelf in the south entryway to Plymouth Hall, and a Book Nook under the west side stairs. For questions and donations, please contact Jane Thomas or Patricia Whitaker.


HOLY WEEK

Palm Sunday, April 13

8:30 a.m. Palm Sunday Worship in the Chapel

10:00 a.m. Blessing of the Palms

10:30 a.m. Palm Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary and Online

Between our 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. service, join us at 10:00 a.m. for a brief outdoor service and parade with Pine Street church neighbors in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church at 14th and Pine Streets. A drum line, donkey, and combined ecumenical choir will lead us as we join Jesus

as he enters Jerusalem.

Holy Week Worship

Palm Sunday, April 13

8:30 a.m. Worship – Chapel

10:00 a.m. Blessing of the Palms on Pine Street

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


Maundy Thursday, April 17

5:30 p.m. A Service of Shadows with Holy Communion – Chapel

7:00 p.m. Mozart’s Requiem – Sanctuary and Online

 

Good Friday, April 18

6:00 p.m. Good Friday Service of Prayer – Chapel

 

Easter Sunday, April 20

9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary (and online at 11:00 a.m.)

Extended Musical Preludes at 8:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.


A festive fellowship hour is held between the services. Childcare

for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers during worship is available. 


A Sanctified Art collaborative creators have provided an

e-reader version of our Lenten Devotional, Everything In Between:

A Lenten Devotional.

Easter Hospitality – Food Contributions Needed

Help make our welcome on Easter morning extra special. We are looking for contributions for our festive Coffee Hour and the separate brunch we serve to the musicians between our two Easter services (musicians stay for both services). Call Wendy Hall to sign up to bring egg dishes (hot or cold), pastries (muffins, coffee cake, breads), fruit, or cheese and crackers (regular or gluten free). The Board of Community Life hopes your contributions will make abundant First Cong’s lavish welcome on Easter morning.

Easter Flowers – Dedications and Memorials

As we prepare to celebrate Christ's resurrection on Easter we are accepting donations for the display of Spring potted plants for the chancel on Easter Morning. You can dedicate flowers In Honor of or In Memory of or you can give anonymously with no message. You can also donate a plant to be given as a Grace Gift. The donation for each plant is $25. Orders can be placed until Sunday, April 13. If you have questions, please contact Julie Griffitts.

The Mental Health Ministry of First Cong wants to remind you…

Wonder How You Can Help on Sundays?

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