First Congregational Church of Western Springs

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers. This week we ask Our New Senior Minister Chrissy Tatum Williamson (chrissy@wscongo.org) two questions that curious kids are wondering about. Questions this episode are: What is the funniest thing that has ever happen to you in Church? Do you ever ge...

The remembrance of All Saints’ ushers in a new season as colorful autumn leaves fall to the ground, crunching beneath our feet. The silliness of Halloween transitions into a time of reflection and preparation for the holiday season between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. In this transitional season, as summer turns to fall and then to winter, we are reminded of the seasons of our live...

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers. This week we ask Our Senior Associate Minister Rev. Meredith Onion (meredith@wscongo.org) a question that curious kids are wondering about. Question this episode are: I recently turned 10, what did you want to become when you were 10? Why...

This Sunday is All Saints Day. “Our sainthood is a beautiful dignity given to us by our God, that we are set apart by grace for good works.” (Eph. 2:10). On this special Sunday, we remember that we are all called to be saints. As we toll the bell in honor of those from our congregation who have gone before us, we give thanks for their lives and witness. We will also welcome new members into our co...

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers. This week we ask Our Senior Associate Minister Rev. Meredith Onion (meredith@wscongo.org) a question that curious kids are wondering about. Question this episode are: If we are a Christian Church, why do you welcome people of all other rel...

This week concludes a two-week series on reconciliation. We’ll read more of the story with Jacob and Esau, two brothers who came into this world fighting and competing with one another and whose birth story set the tone for the rest of their lives. These two were always at odds. In Part 1, we explored how humility is a necessary precursor to reconciliation. We marveled at how Jacob wrestles with G...

Our Words & Music Podcast brings the Words of our speakers directly to you in podcast format. For the Start of Words & Music Season 25-26 we present: Scary Stories An hour of Music & frightful Tales to share. So join the All In Band... IF YOU DARE! They say don't come alone - It's true. Bring a friend to Plymouth Hall with you! All are welcome to join us at the intersection of...

Our Words & Music Podcast brings the Words of our speakers directly to you in podcast format. For the Start of Words & Music Season 25-26 we present: Scary Stories An hour of Music & frightful Tales to share. So join the All In Band... IF YOU DARE! They say don't come alone - It's true. Bring a friend to Plymouth Hall with you! All are welcome to join us at the intersection of...

Our Words & Music Podcast brings the Words of our speakers directly to you in podcast format. For the Start of Words & Music Season 25-26 we present: Scary Stories An hour of Music & frightful Tales to share. So join the All In Band... IF YOU DARE! They say don't come alone - It's true. Bring a friend to Plymouth Hall with you! All are welcome to join us at the intersection of...

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers. This week we ask Our Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Richard Kirchherr (rich@wscongo.org) two final questions that curious kids are wondering about. Questions this episode are: Is God everywhere? How does that work? If God gave you Superpowers, w...

This week starts a two-week series on reconciliation. We’ll read part of the story with Jacob and Esau, two brothers that came into this world fighting and competing with one another and whose birth story set the tone for the rest of their lives. These two were always at odds. Until one day, after years of distance and separation, after a dream, after a mystical encounter with God, and a fateful m...

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers. This week we ask Our Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Richard Kirchherr (rich@wscongo.org) two questions that curious kids are wondering about. Questions this episode are: What is the best way to talk to God, when you don't know what to say? I...

Friends, Rich will preach his last sermon as senior pastor this Sunday, and it will be a variation on his Thanksgiving alphabet sermons. This Sunday his reflection is entitled Blessed. The Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ will also be present and lead us in a liturgy of farewell, which will bring Rich’s covenant as one of our pastors to its conclusion. Link to Livestream: https:/...

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers. This week we ask Our New Senior Minister Chrissy Tatum Williamson (chrissy@wscongo.org) two questions that curious kids are wondering about. Questions this episode are: If God gave you Superpowers which one, would you choose to help people...

One of the most famous prayers in our tradition is the Jesus prayer (aka the Lord’s Prayer) which is found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Though the wording is different in each iteration, and the context surrounding the prayer varies from one Gospel to the next, there is one commonality that should not go unnoticed: each petition begins with “Our.” This week as we consider our promises to th...

Our Words & Music Podcast brings the Words of our speakers directly to you in podcast format. For the Start of Words & Music Season 25-26 we presents: Lost & Found Be there for the All In Band’s long-awaited return with Lost & Found – a bold mix of music that uncovers how pop culture wrestles with what’s lost, and how faith redefines what it means to be found. All are welcome to jo...

Our Words & Music Podcast brings the Words of our speakers directly to you in podcast format. For the Start of Words & Music Season 25-26 we presents: Lost & Found Be there for the All In Band’s long-awaited return with Lost & Found – a bold mix of music that uncovers how pop culture wrestles with what’s lost, and how faith redefines what it means to be found. All are welcome to jo...

Our Words & Music Podcast brings the Words of our speakers directly to you in podcast format. For the Start of Words & Music Season 25-26 we presents: Lost & Found Be there for the All In Band’s long-awaited return with Lost & Found – a bold mix of music that uncovers how pop culture wrestles with what’s lost, and how faith redefines what it means to be found. All are welcome to jo...

Our Words & Music Podcast brings the Words of our speakers directly to you in podcast format. For the Start of Words & Music Season 25-26 we presents: Lost & Found Be there for the All In Band’s long-awaited return with Lost & Found – a bold mix of music that uncovers how pop culture wrestles with what’s lost, and how faith redefines what it means to be found. All are welcome to jo...

Our Words & Music Podcast brings the Words of our speakers directly to you in podcast format. For the Start of Words & Music Season 25-26 we presents: Lost & Found Be there for the All In Band’s long-awaited return with Lost & Found – a bold mix of music that uncovers how pop culture wrestles with what’s lost, and how faith redefines what it means to be found. All are welcome to jo...

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers. This week we ask Our New Senior Minister Chrissy Tatum Williamson (chrissy@wscongo.org) two questions that curious kids are wondering about. Questions this episode are: What is the funniest thing that has happen to you during a Church Serv...

This Sunday, Rich will preach his next-to-last sermon at both services. His theme will explore how, in our world and nation, the diversity of faith traditions can deepen and enrich our own Christian faith. Link to Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q47ouhZyimU ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ Link to Start of Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q47ouhZyimU&...

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers. This week we ask Our Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Richard Kirchherr (rich@wscongo.org) two questions that curious kids are wondering about. Questions this episode are: What does God look like? Is the Bible real? Like Nonfiction? Are you a Curi...

What is your biggest dream? Perhaps it is a dream so grand you don’t let yourself admit it, or voice it, or really even want it. Most adults have learned how to do this. We suppress dreams as a way of protecting ourselves from the pain of disappointment. We become realists, when we used to be dreamers. The Bible is full of stories about dreamers. Folks who heard the voice of God in their dreams an...

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers. This week we ask Our Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Richard Kirchherr (rich@wscongo.org) two questions that curious kids are wondering about. Questions this episode are: What language does God speak? Does God have any friends? How many? Are you...