First Church WS

🍉Youth Sunday and All-Church Picnic on the Common - Sunday, June 14, 10 am. ☀️

Children and youth will help to lead worship; graduates will be honored; scholarships will be awarded; and volunteers will be thanked. At 11:30 am, we hope to be all set up on the town common with a festive picnic! If you are able to bring something, we are in need of sandwich trays, potato salad, and fruit, Please sign up in Parish Hall.🍉

On June 19, First Church will open the Sanctuary from noon to 1 pm for prayer. The following message was sent to member churches from our Conference Minister Rev. Darrell Goodwin:

On Juneteenth, a sacred day that reminds us that while freedom was delayed, it could not be forever denied; I am asking each of our nearly 600 churches to open their doors and participate in a Prayer Vigil for Freedom.

Freedom from war.
Freedom from fear.
Freedom from systems that harm.
Freedom from hatred, violence, and division.
Freedom for all God’s people to live fully into the dignity God has given them.
The form is yours to shape.
The time is yours to choose.
The liturgy can be simple or elaborate.
Just open the doors.

🌈On Communion Sundays First Church members, friends and guests gather around Christ's table. At Christ's table the rejected are welcome, the hungry are fed, the fearful are strengthened and chosen family is holy. At Christ's table, there is room for all! Jesus said that whoever welcomes the ones he sends welcomes him. When we welcome LGBTQ+ people, we are welcoming Christ. When we welcome marginalized people, we are welcoming Christ.

🌈June 7 is Pride Sunday at First Church, and you're all are invited to come. Whether you are joyful, tired, angry, or grieving, you're invited. If you've been told you don't belong, you're invited. Everyone is invited to come to learn how beloved they are! The table belongs to God, and God makes room for everyone.

🥪Thank you to those who are providing bag lunches this Sunday for Church without Walls! We are ready to welcome people at noon with food and faith - outdoors under our summer tent if weather permits!

We had so much fun with you all at Men Who Cook! 👨🏾‍🍳
Thank you to our wonderful chefs for cooking up some delicious food!🏅Thank you to our tasters for coming out, tasting and voting! 🗳️ And thank you to our staff and volunteers for helping before, during and after the event! 🙏🙏🙏

Congrats to our three winners!
🥇1st place - Micah
🥈2nd place - David & Mateo
🥉3rd place - Rick

Check our socials & website for more community food events! 🍴

☀️Summer will still be filled with free opportunities to EAT at First Congregational Church West Springfield!☀️

🍴Fellowship Potlucks: June 3, July 15, Aug 5 at 5:30pm
One Wednesday each month during the summer, three events are taking place!

🙏Wiggle Worship – a family friendly 30-minute service, 5:30 to 6 pm
🍴Summer Potluck Supper – 5:30 to 6:30 pm*
🏳️‍🌈Safe Space Youth Group - 6:30 to 7:30 pm

*Potluck Themes
June 3 – Summer Fun Fair Foods! Outdoor games to follow. 🎡
July 15 –Cool Foods and WOW Kids Program training for Leaders and LITs to follow. 🧊
August 5 – International Foods! Outdoor games to follow. ✈️

🍴All Church Picnic following Youth Sunday Service: June 14 at 11:30am
We invite all our families to take part, as our church families, Youth Group and Vacation Kid’s Program participants will be celebrated! We invite older kids to read parts of the service; all to sing “Jesus Loves the Little Children” and Minis to be our rainbow dancers! Following worship, we will cross the street to enjoy a picnic on the Common.

🍴 Sack Lunch Sundays: every Sunday at 12pm

All are invited, All are welcome! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

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