First Congregational United Church of Christ is a spiritual home to people from all walks and stations of life, believers and questioners, people from a range of backgrounds and faith perspectives, who cometogether to worship God, and serve God’s creation.
We recognize that many people who visit a church for the first time do so with a bit of anxiety. We offer these points of information about our Sunday morning activities and service with the hope that you will feel more at ease as you consider whether we are the right fit for you.
What happens during worship?
As you enter the church, a greeter will welcome you and offer to provide you a name tag. Then an usher will give you a bulletin to help guide you through the 10 a.m. service. Our services feature reading, preaching, prayer, and music and are open to worshipers of every age. At times, you will be invited to stand, sing, pray, be in silence, or read responsively. FCC likes to offer a mixture of different types of music and worship styles to help us achieve what is called a Blended Worship experience. We hope this keeps the ritual of worship fresh and of interest to all types of people. First Congregational Church is one church family that meets together to worship and hear God’s call to mission in the world. We are a diverse congregation of all ages, backgrounds, and tastes, which is reflected in our blended style of worship service. Please note that if you or a child needs to leave the sanctuary during worship, there are speakers available in the Wheeler Room so you may still hear the service.
Childcare is available for those with children, infants through kindergarten on the lower level. We welcome children 1st grade and up to join their parents in the worship service.
There are worship bags and clipboards with helpful materials for children available in the Narthex (area in the rear of the sanctuary). Please feel free to utilize them and know that we love to have all ages in worship.
There are blue “Welcome” cards in the pew rack. Please fill it out to help us know of your presence. This is of course optional but you might find it helpful to receive our weekly emails and monthly newsletters.
At our services we maintain the ancient Christian practice of receiving an offering to support the church’s ministries. The loose change supports Food For Lane County. We welcome your gifts and encourage everyone to live a life marked by generosity. If you are unable to give financially, please consider an offering of time or talent to the church, another organization, or a neighbor in need.
Can everyone participate in Communion?
Yes, our communion table is open to everyone—baptized or not. The Sacrament of Communion is offered during the first Sunday of the month and special services like Maundy Thursday.
Sharing communion with each other, children, and visitors is a special, sacred, shared event. We offer wheat bread, corn tortillas, and grape juice for the elements, which are passed down the pews on plates for the congregation to serve themselves. Our tradition is to hold the elements until all are served, and partake together when directed by the Pastor.
Do you offer childcare or Sunday School?
We offer classes for all ages on Sunday at 9 a.m. during the school year (In September after school begins, until June after school ends). Adult education classes change periodically and are posted on Adult Education and the kiosk in the church lobby. Childcare and Sunday school for children are held in the same classrooms each week by age-level. For details on what is currently being offered, check out Children & Family Ministries.
Summer Childcare
Throughout the summer, childcare will be offered for children ages 0-6 years old during our 10 a.m. worship service. Parents, if you are interested in attending a 9 a.m. education session but require childcare to do so, please contact Gretchen, 541-345-8741, at least 3 to 4 days in advance and individual 9 a.m. childcare can be arranged as needed.[
Is there a coffee hour or fellowship time after church?
After each worship service, the Fellowship Hall is open for a time of fellowship and refreshment. We invite you to stick around for an intergenerational social gathering downstairs for coffee, cookies and conversation (or juice, crackers, and playtime). Strike up a conversation, and make some new friends!
What should I wear?
We believe that God cares more about the state of our hearts than the state of our attire, and encourage you to dress the way that feels most appropriate to you. Some people come dressed in their Sunday best, and others in jeans and a tee shirt.
Is the church handicap accessible?
Yes. FCC offers a range of accessibility accommodations. There is handicap parking available in our upper and lower parking lots and the building is fully accessible by way of our elevator located next to the Fellowship Hall downstairs and the Sanctuary upstairs. Large print bulletins, Bibles, song sheets, and hearing assist earphones are available in the area just outside the sanctuary.
This Sunday, July 3 after worship We will celebrate the beginning of summer this Sunday with pie and lemonade during social hour following our worship service. Stay after church on Sunday for fellowship time outside on...
Sunday, July 3 at 2 p.m. Do you want to beat the heat and be in community with your church family all at the same time? Please join us for an intergenerational paddle on the Alton...
We hope you will join us this evening at 6 p.m. for a fun and meaningful time of connection and community. All are welcome! Bring your own picnic dinner and we will gather to eat and chat...
Congratulations to all in our FCC family who graduated this spring! We commend you for your persistence and hard work and wish you the very, very best for your next adventure. Our high school graduates are:...
We will be offering Our Whole Lives for incoming 6th Graders the week of August 29 through September 2 – just in time for middle school! If you would like your soon-to-be 6th grader to participate in this...
Sunday, June 5th 10 a.m. Graduate Recognition / OWL recognition / 4th & 5th grade bible presentations during worship 11:30 Senior Brunch hosted by FCC member, Brenda Kame’enui at her home in South Eugene. 4 – 6 p.m., Middle...
The end of the school year is right around the corner and so is our church year. Check out the calendar below for our child and family programming in June. June 5th: 9am: 4th and 5th...
Howdy People! April 8th will my last working day with First Congregational Church, and I wanted everyone to know the cherished time I have spent with all of you here before I leave. Although I am...
We bid farewell in April to Frank Spangler, our church’s cheerful and resourceful Facilities Manager, who relocated to Minnesota. When Frank stepped into this role last July, all was quiet in the church, and yet the...
Sunday morning Adult Education class will spend time during the month of June to celebrate FCC members, learning more of their life and their spiritual stories…all for the purpose of knowing our FCC neighbors. So come,...
The Social Justice and Witness team is exploring ways to enhance our Global Ministries work. The work of the Tasajera committee continues with scholarships for the youth of this small El Salvador island, and growing the...
LEVO (Lift Every Voice Oregon), an interfaith group that seeks to reduce gun violence, continues its push to collect signatures to get a gun safety measure on the November ballot. Originally, the goal was to collect signatures...