First Congregational United Church of Christ

We mean it when we say, “Everyone is Welcome here!”

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at First Congregational United Church of Christ.

At First Church we believe that all people are created in God’s image and thus are loved and blessed equally. We believe that we should “Love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and Love our neighbor as ourselves.” (Luke 10:25-28 NIV)

​We welcome persons of every gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ability, age, race, nationality, economic and social status, faith background, marital standing and family structure.

​At First Church, all people are encouraged to participate and share their talents and energy in worship and sacraments, leadership positions, lay ministry, learning, service, mission and fellowship.

​Come and visit us. You’re welcome at First Congregational United Church of Christ.

May 13 – 19, 2026

This Week @ First Church

Wednesday May 13

Mindful Meditation – 6 p.m.

Come every Wednesday evening and leave the troubles of the world outside as you spend an hour in meditation. Enter the church through the Delaware Street entrance.

Sunday May 17

Worship Service – 10 a.m.

Worship Service In-Person and on Facebook

SERMON: “Being One” Based on John 17:1-11

Notes for John 17:1-11                                                                                                                     

Our gospel reading today is from John 17:1-11. The setting is the Upper Room. Jesus is preparing his disciples for what he knows will soon take
place according to God’s will. Here Jesus is praying to God, it is an intimate conversation revealing how loved we are as Jesus’s disciples
and a request that all who believe may be unified in Christ.

John 17:1-11   

17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.  2  For you granted him authority over all people that he might give
eternal life to all those you have given him.  3  Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4  I
have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.  5  And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with
you before the world began.

6  “I have revealed you [a]  to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7  Now
they know that everything you have given me comes from you.  8  For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with
certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.  9  I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given
me, for they are yours.  10  All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.  11  I will remain in the world no longer,
but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of [b]  your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.

HYMNS

“10,000 Reasons”

“Hail the Day That Sees Christ Rise”

“Called as Partners in Christ’s Service”

We’re in the process of setting up our new website and will be adding more material in the coming weeks

Join us every Sunday at 10 a.m. in person at 100 1st NE Mason City, IA. 50401 or online at Facebook.