An open and affirming, Just Peace, Green Justice, Global Mission Congregation

No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!

Sometimes, depending on the email server used, this e-newsletter is clipped.

Please look for "[Message clipped] View entire message" to view

the entire First Things First, or click here.

Holy Communion Celebrated Sunday

For those joining us virtually Sunday, this is a reminder to prepare your elements for Holy Communion prior to the service.

Special Guest Worship Leaders - June 2

Jen Bertoni will preach and Rev. Alana Kelley will celebrate communion with us while David Hill is away attending his college reunion.

First Church, Its Mission, and Its Ministry

Thanks from the Gates

Heartfelt THANKS to the congregation of First Church for your generous notes and recognition of our being the recipients of the Community Service Award from Oberlin College! It is a distinct honor to represent the hundreds of people who have participated in the work that this award highlights. Many of the people who have inspired and continue to support these efforts are associated with First Church - sainted forebears and present members. Yours is the honor!

We were also surprised and delighted with the lovely, festive basket of potables - our favorite coffees and tea! Delicious and perfect in every way! THANK YOU! 

John & Linda Gates

Do you love music, and would you like to offer music during worship?

We would love to have you do some summer music. It can be any style, any instrument or voice, and Tom can play with you or you can sing/play a cappella. Let Tom Bandy know at musicdirector@firstchurchoberlin.org what Sunday would work for you, and we’d love to have you, not just during the summer but anytime at all during the year!

Show your First Church Pride!

First Church has been invited to have a table at the Lorain County Pride Celebration on Tappan Square in Oberlin! The Celebration will happen Saturday, June 29th, from 12 noon - 4 pm. We need some volunteers to staff the booth and hand out candy and help folks make pride bracelets. A sign up sheet is available on the ONA bulletin board outside Fellowship Hall. Come help affirm God's love and the church's welcome of LGBTQAI+ people! 

Alison Ricker Solemn Requiem Mass and Celebration of Life on June 22

A Solemn Requiem Mass for Alison Ricker will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Oberlin, 162 S. Main St. on Saturday, June 22 at 10:30 AM. There will also be "Celebration of Life" for Alison later that day at 1:00 p.m. at The First Church in Oberlin, UCC followed by a reception in the First Church Fellowship Hall.

Note: seating at Christ Church is very limited. Unless you are a close friend or family member of Alison Ricker or her family please consider forgoing the morning worship service and attending the afternoon event at First Church.

Additionally, both the requiem mass and the life celebration will be live streamed and recorded.

Summer Storytime Signup!

Come get to know the church's wonderful kids - by reading a story to them during the sermon portion of worship this summer! Stories will be provided, and Jen will be there to lend a hand most weeks. A sign-up sheet is in the hallway next to Fellowship Hall, or you can sign up by emailing Jen (faith@firstchurchoberlin.org). Thanks in advance for taking the time to get to know the youth of the church! 

Do not force automatic doors

Please do not force the two automatic doors shut (located at the main parking lot and James Brand House entrances). In the summer, these doors are often intentionally set to remain open. Manually forcing the doors closed damages the door opening mechanism. If you need to shut an automatic door, please see a staff member for assistance. Thanks.

Communion Thank You

I would like to thank all of you who have helped with communion during this past church calendar year. If there are any of you who are interested in helping on the first Sundays during the coming church year, you would be welcome to join us. Please feel free to contact me at kwsanderson@oberlin.net or at (440) 935-5812.

Thank you so much,

Karla Sanderson

Do You Enjoy Singing?

We are looking for people who enjoy singing to join the Finney Choir. We meet Thursdays 6:45-8PM, and at 9AM on Sundays before the service. You don’t need to have a lot of experience or read music - there are many friendly people in the choir to help you out! If you just want to come for part of the year, like preparing for Advent or Easter, you’re very welcome to. You can write Tom at musicdirector@firstchurchoberlin.org if you have any questions.

The Wider Community

Can you help?

YOU can help stop hunger in southern Lorain County! Join the gardeners and farmers who provide the OCS food pantry with fresh fruit and vegetables — we welcome perishable and nonperishable food donations at the Cooper Community Resource Center, 500 E. Lorain St., Oberlin. Thank you so much! Our wonderful supporters show just how much Lorain County folks care about neighbors in need.

Good afternoon! We're coming into the warm months, when there are LOTS of volunteer opportunities at OCS. We're reaching out to faith groups to see if there are volunteers who would like to assist us in our mission of meeting basic needs of southern Lorain County residents. Through the summer, we'd love to have volunteers who come every week, or even host your faith group for a service day! The work isn't very hard — but it takes lots of hands. If you want to get in on the fun, please reach out to Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator Rosa Gadsden at rosa@oberlincommunityservices.org!

Opening Day

Oberlin Farmers Market, Parking lot

Opening Day for the outdoor Oberlin Famers Market is May 18 The Oberlin Farmers Market provides locally grown, seasonal, fresh, high quality produce and farm fresh products. This is an outdoor market, open rain or shine, featuring a wide variety of local seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, honey, artisan bread, baked goods, mushrooms, crafts and more. Hours: 9am - Noon, every Saturday; May 18th - October 12 Visit our website: https://www.oberlinfarmersmarket.info/ The market is located at 69-85 South Main Street, downtown Oberlin, Ohio, in the parking lot between the Oberlin Public Library and police station and across from the post office.