Rooted in God's Love, Nourished on our spiritual journeys,
Growing as an inclusive Christian presence in Northern Colorado and beyond. 

Children: This Sunday we’re hearing the story of God choosing Abraham’s family to be God’s people. All children 3 years old - 5th grade are welcome! 

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Youth: The Middle and High School Youth Group will gather after the children’s message in the Youth Room

Nursery care is available weekly on Sundays from 9:45 - 11:15 am.

Wednesday Night Live has resumed. On September 27 we will host a forum with this year's school board candidates. 

5-6 pm: Dinner in Chadwick Hall. $3/person or $9/family. Gluten free and vegetarian options are provided. 
6 pm: Organized Games in Gym begins (preK-5th grade).
6 pm - 7:15 pm: Youth Group & Adult Education
7:30 pm: Gym closes 

Often, we live in ordinary relationships. They’re what we’re used to, but nothing extraordinary. But what if God is inviting us into extraordinary? What if we could develop the capacity for extraordinary relationships? We believe you can - and it’s what God desires for us! 

Join us for this new WNL offering beginning October 4. We’ll explore different relational skills, practice using them, and reflect on how the practice went.

This is a participatory course with a 10-week commitment, including some at-home practice. Generally a $175 course, we’re offering it to you at no cost! 

To ensure that there are enough materials, please let Tammi VanDrunen know you’re coming.

Between now and September 30th, we will collect money for the Weld Food Bank Backpack Program. This program provides food for children who are at risk for hunger over the weekend. Sponsorship costs $100 per student. This year, we aim to sponsor 50+ backpacks to represent the 50+ kids who are regularly involved in the FCC community. So far we’ve reached 39 backpacks! You may give online, or mark checks or cash “Backpack.”

Dust off your favorite heirloom chili recipe and enter the First Congregational Chili Cook-Off on October 15th following the 10:00 service. Prizes will be awarded to the top 4 chilis. Judged by all who dare to taste.
Categories include:

• The Ultimate Chili (best overall)

• Where’s the Beef (best vegetarian)

• Just Like Heaven (most unique)

• Firehouse Hot (hottest)

Register your winner before October 8th with this form or in the narthex.

Dearfield is a well-known historical Black majority settlement in Weld County, 30 miles east of Greeley. The annual Dearfield Day to commemorate its fascinating history is on Saturday, October 7.

For those interested in joining for event set-up, tour and educational program, we will plan to leave the church parking lot at 10 am for the 35-minute van drive to Dearfield.

We will then return to the church by 2:30 pm. Please RSVP if you would like to attend to Misti Aas (email linked) or 970-396-4266.

La Foret’s Fall Youth (Middle and High School) Retreat will be October 20-22 in the Black Forest, just outside of Colorado Springs. Registration is open through October 9. Please reach out to Rev. Ben for details.

Church choirs have resumed! All choirs are open to new musicians! 

• Chancel Choir rehearses Thursday from 7 - 8:30 pm (You can still join!). Contact Nicholas Gilmore for more info.

• Handbell Choir rehearses Thursdays from 5 - 6pm (You can still join!). Contact Nicholas Gilmore for more info.

• Genesis Choir (6th-12th grades) rehearses Sundays from 9 - 9:45 am beginning Sept. 10th. Contact Colin Williamson for more information.

• Jubilation Choir (2nd-5th grades)  - rehearses Sundays from 9-9:45 am beginning Sept. 10th. Contact Shona Royle-Grimes for more information.

• Rainbow Choir (K-1st grades)  rehearses Sundays from 9-9:45 am beginning Sept. 10th. Contact Kathy Azari for more information.

Giving statements reflecting giving through mid-August will be available this Sunday, September  24th between services and after the 10am service. Please be sure to pick up your giving statement. We will mail any statements remaining on the 25th.

If you’d like to go paperless and receive your statements electronically only, please sign up on the salmon papers at the Giving Statement table or use this link to sign up online. 

Rev. Ben will lead a 4-week adult ed class on the History of the Christian Church on Wednesday nights from 6-7:15 starting October 4.

Whitney (our Community Coordinator), partner Nick, and son Theo welcomed baby Zachary to their family September 10th.

You can help support their family in this transition by donating to their Growing Family Fund.

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This will help the family get the rest of the supplies they need for Zachary and help cover the financial costs of family leave.

The church office will accept those gifts by cash or check, either at the church office or in the offering plate/boxes on Sundays through September 30. Please mark them for Baby Janzen.

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You can also give something off their registry, bring a meal, or donate online. To do that, please visit this link.

This October we will have a number of special events for our stewardship month. Please plan to join us! More details for each event will be forthcoming.

• October 1: Stewardship & Finances Town Hall, 11:30am. Learn about our current financial position, understand our financial picture, and ask questions about the ways in which we are moving forward. This is an excellent opportunity for those unfamiliar with FCC’s finances to gain a general understanding of some of the realities we currently face.

• October 8: Unveiling of First Congregational Church's new stewardship video during worship. This week will be a shorter service to allow for a new way for Ministry Groups to meet. Please plan to stay - childcare will continue until 12:30 pm. Chili cook-off entries due.

• October 15: Chili Cook-off at 11:30 am. Associate Conference Minister Erin Gilmore will be preaching.

• October 22: A Special Cabaret Performance & refreshments at 11:30 am in Chadwick Hall.

Mark your calendar for the following FOG gathering! October 7, 5:30 - 7:30 pm: Home of Christian & Heather Schulte.

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Fellowship of the Grape is FCC's series of informal and relaxed community gatherings. 

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You are invited to bring a beverage of your choice and an appetizer to share. No RSVP needed- just show up! Please contact the church office if you need the Schulte's address.

The youth group (6th-12th grade) will go on an outing to Meow Wolf on Sunday, October 8, leaving at 1:30pm and returning at 8pm.  Please contact Rev. Ben to RSVP.

Our noon Centering Prayer gathering is now meeting in person on Mondays in the Chapel. You can also join them Tuesday - Friday at noon on Zoom. Beginners welcome. Join us!

If you are interested in learning more about membership at First Congregational Church, please reach out to Community Coordinator, Whitney Janzen-Pankratz. To learn more about the newest members of our congregation, see the bulletin board in the main hallway!