First Congregational Church of Western Springs

Rev. Meredith Onion will reflect on the joys and challenges of discipleship. 

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr will preach at both services and his sermon grows from the prophet Isaiah, quoting God’s question: “Whom shall I send?”

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey offers her reflection entitled "Good Verbs".

Melinda Kaiser offers her Mother's Day Reflection. 

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr offers his reflection.

Worship with us as we learn about Doubting Thomas and to trust and have faith in God. The youth of First Congo will perform a skit and offer prayers and songs.    If you would like to review the bulletin, click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WzCL... If you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to https://www.wscongo.org/new-here/welc ...

Worship with us as we learn about Doubting Thomas and to trust and have faith in God. The youth of First Congo will perform a skit and offer prayers and songs.

We will hear the Good News that death does not have the final word, and that Christ is Risen! 

This Sunday is Palm Sunday when we celebrate the day Jesus entered into Jerusalem and was greeted by the people waving palm branches. It is a reminder of the welcoming of Jesus into our hearts and of our willingness to follow him. Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey entitled "So the Stones Don't Have To" and the bells and children choir will sing.

This Sunday we’ll hear the parable of the Prodigal Son, and consider where we see ourselves in this story.  Do we find comfort in the abundant grace shown by the father?  Or do we find ourselves resonating with the elder son's resentment?  As we travel through this reflective season of Lent, join us for worship as we continue to experience God’s overflowing love.

Our Lenten series "Full to the Brim" continues as we listen to Rev. Kirchherr offer his reflection entitled: Fully Human, Fully Divine and the Fourth Grade Bible class will receive their Bibles and Hailey Kos offers her reflection on this class.

We will worship together, listening to the reflection from Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey entitled "Under Her Wings" and enjoying music provided by the Lord of the Ringers and the Tower Chimes. Join us!

This Sunday we begin the season of Lent with our theme “Filled to the Brim.” I will preach on the theme of the abundant life found in forgiveness in my sermon entitled: Broken Vessels, Broken Bread and we will celebrate the Sacrament of Communion at both services.

The Psalmist reminds us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made.”  Come and worship as we are reminded just how much God loves us and be inspired to love yourself just as profoundly!

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey takes on one of the hardest teachings of Jesus - the commandment to love our enemies. 

God wants us to live an abundant and full life!  We’ll explore ways to do just that through the journey of Lent.

This Sunday Rev. Rich Kirchherr will offer the second of his historical moments in the history of our church. The first one was on January 16, and this one is about our missionary minister in India during the 1920s and 30s. His name was the Reverend Ralph Keithahn, and both his time in our church and India were controversial.  Again, historical moments are simply that. However, some continue...

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr offers his sermon entitled: The Purpose of "We". 

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr will offer a historical minute on a controversy that erupted  not long after our sanctuary was built. It was over a family having the ashes of a loved one interred in the floor of the church.  And it was quite a controversy.  The sermon will wonder about why it was such a difficult topic, and will reflect on what our faith says about the end of life.  Th...

Churches all around the world traditionally remember the Baptism of Christ on the first Sunday after Epiphany. We will join this global celebration as we remember our own baptisms as well. Katherine Willis Pershey will preach and Lauren Reynolds will serve as liturgist as we return to in-person worship this Sunday.

We will celebrate the Epiphany in this first worship service of the New Year, with special music, Holy Communion, and a brief message from Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey. Bring your juice/wine and bread/crackers to participate in Communion.

Please join us for our traditional lessons and carols for Christmas Eve. Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr will offer a reflection on the theme of “coming home for Christmas”.  Our choir will be accompanied by organist Kathy Christian, and a brass quartet.

On this 4th Sunday of Advent, Rev Meredith Onion will reflect on the beautiful story of Elizabeth and Mary. The bells will ring, the children will sing, and we will light the candle of Love, as we continue our joyful anticipation of the birth of our Savior.

We continue our Advent series, Close to Home, with Pastor Katherine preaching on one of the classic characters of Advent - John the Baptist. John the Baptist’s good news sounds harsh, but he preaches a home for all—where inequities are banished, valleys are lifted up, and all have the resources they need for collective flourishing. Ultimately, John’s message is one of joy. The choir will sing and...

This Sunday we gather for the second Sunday of advent, and light the candle of peace. Rich will offer a reflection on the theme of anticipation and remembrance. We will celebrate the sacrament of communion.