Welcome to First Congregational Church, UCC

We are First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in South Haven Michigan, and you are welcome here.

We invite you to live in openness to the voice of the Still Speaking God.

Through God’s grace, this congregation is committed to being a loving and welcoming community of faith. We recognize, celebrate, and give thanks for the many diverse gifts of God among us. We affirm that all people are created in the image of God and as beloved children of God, all are worthy of God’s grace and love.

In Galatians 3:28 Paul wrote: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, male or female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” We declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming Congregation, welcoming into the full life and ministry of the church, persons of every race, culture, age, gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, marital status, education, and economic status. We especially welcome all who have known the pain of exclusion or discrimination in the church and society.

On Sunday, November 15, 2020, First Congregational Church, UCC in South Haven MI, voted to officially become an “Open and Affirming” congregation. This is a designation within our denomination and affirms the dignity of all people and our desire to extend the hospitality of God to everyone.

Announcements

Learn About the Early Church

This five-week series will be from April 28—May 26 at 1 p.m. We will be meeting in the church fellowship hall, in person. A DVD will be used followed by a half-hour discussion led by John Gillett.

Children’s Ministry on May 16th

Our next children’s activity will be on Sunday, May 16th at 2 p.m. at Tot Lot in South Haven. We will be doing fun activities related to being created in God’s image from Genesis 1:26-27. Sarah Peterson will be leading this event.

MISSION BOARD is collecting for Migrant Families

MISSION BOARD is collecting for Migrant Families

The Mission Board is working with We Care to collect items for migrant farm workers coming to the area. They are collecting hats, work gloves, work boots and shoes. They will also accept towels and bedding. These items can be dropped off at the church during May. Items can be used or new. Baseball type hats are welcomed as well as straw farm hats.

End of Life Planning: Practical Wisdom and Guidance for the Journey - starts May 16th

First Congregational Church is pleased to offer a series on “End of Life Planning: Practical Wisdom and Guidance for the Journey.” We will learn from a variety of presenters, including clergy, a local funeral home, and other professionals involved in this work. These presentations will be offered in person in the sanctuary as well as on Facebook Live. They will begin at 11:45 following worship.

Here is the schedule for these presentations.

May 16^th: Advance Directives presented by Julie Griffin, Advance Care Planning Coordinator for Spectrum Health Lakeland

SPEAK FOR YOURSELF, PLAN YOUR CARE – A GIFT TO YOUR LOVED ONES. Who will speak for you? Anyone, at any age, can have a medical crisis that might leave us too ill to speak. If you’re over 18, it’s important to name someone you trust to speak for you in an emergency, to get that plan in writing and to share it with your family and your healthcare providers.

For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3vlhZ7S. On Sunday, May 16th, after service at 11:30 am, Julie Griffin, Advance Care Planning Coordinator for Spectrum Health Lakeland will be here to present a group conversation about Advance Care Planning, answer questions, and provide tools to get your directives in place. A gift to your loved ones, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to make sure your wishes are known.

May 23^rd: A Christian Theology on Death and Dying. The Rev. David Moffett- Moore, retired UCC Pastor.

When we think about death and dying, the Christian tradition invites us to appraise seriously what matters most to us. Do we above all prize an earthly life lived by our own decisions about what to value? Or are we seeking to be ever closer to God through a relationship with Jesus? If it is the latter then that relationship with Jesus which begins in our earthly life will continue beyond resurrection; and in that sense we are able to truly say that we already have eternal life.

On May 23^rd, Rev. Moffett-Moore will speak about about how we proceed on this journey to the end of life from a faith perspective.

David recently served as the Interim Pastor at Zion UCC in Baroda and before that was the Sr. pastor at Portage UCC in Portage, MI, He is a member of the Academy of Parish Clergy and has written a number of books, including, Life as Pilgrimage: A View from Celtic Spirituality and Pathways to Prayer.

June 13^th: Funeral perspectives This session will begin at 10:45

Jeff Filbrandt, Director of the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home

Rev. Jeffrey Dick, pastor

Two half hour sessions will be included this morning. The first will be on what you need to know in going to a funeral home to plan a service. This will include the advantage of pre planning a service. Jeff Filbrandt is the Owner and Director of the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home here in South Haven and will share some general guidelines.

This will be followed by Rev. Dick sharing what information is helpful to have ahead of time in planning a funeral or memorial service at the church. There will be a form given that people can use to give to the church for preplanning purposes.

Sept Wills Andrew Barnes, Attorney here in South Haven.

Andrew Barnes, a local attorney, will present a seminar on wills and planned giving. Nothing is being sold this day! This is an information session on why everyone should have a will and what information you need to create one.

Oct Planned Giving Presenter to be determined

The Generosity Team is working on this seminar. It will include how to give to the church or other organizations. More information coming.

Food Pantry open Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Monday/Wednesday/Friday

10 a.m. to Noon—Food Pantry

Saturday discontinued