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

August 19-25, 2026

This Week @ First Church

Wednesday August 19

Community Kitchen of North Iowa

Volunteers from First Congregational United Church of Christ prepare a noon meal every month for our neighbors in need at the Community Kitchen of North Iowa facility at 606 North Monroe in Mason City, Iowa. Call the church office at (641) 423-0105 to volunteer.

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.

Thursday August 20 – 5:30 p.m.

D.O.G.s – (Dining Out Group)

Once a month parishioners and friends of First Congregational United Church of Christ meet at a local restaurant for an evening of socializing. The restaurant for August 2026 is Las Palmas at 3115 4th St SW, Mason City, IA 50401. Everyone is welcome to come. For reservations call the church office at (641) 423-0105

Friday August 21 – 7:30 p.m

Narcotics Anonymous Meeting

Enter the church through the alley parking lot entrance.

Sunday August 23

Worship Service – 10 a.m.

Worship Service In-Person and on Facebook

SERMON “Who Do You Say I Am?” by Tom Seeberger
Based on Romans 12:1-8 and Matthew 16:13-20

Note for Romans 12:1-8

Our first reading is from Romans 12: 1-8. Paul letter to the Romans is one which encourages us not to conform to this world but to submit to the transformative power of worshipping God throughout each day with our unique gifts. For we are one body in Christ, and each gift we have been given is divinely made to be used for His glory each today.

Romans 12:1-8

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  2  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3  For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4  For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,  5  so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the
others.  6  We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your [a]  faith;  7  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  8  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, [b]  do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.