First Congregational Church of Allegan

09/05/2026

Have you ever been around people who tend to think just a little too highly of themselves? You know, that person who believes they are better than someone else. Or how about someone who doesn't pull their own weight, whether at work, at home, or in the church? If you're honest, your answer is yes. But what if that person is you? How would you know, and how can you fix it?

As the apostle Paul continues writing to the church in Rome, he exhorts believers to examine themselves while issuing a stern warning: don't be conceited. Remember, both Jews and Gentiles are part of the body of Christ, and as part of this body (i.e., the Church), you're all one in Christ Jesus. As part of His body, you all have a part and have been given certain gifts by God to make the Church flourish. When everyone exercises their gifts, then God's will is accomplished.

This week we'll examine Paul's words in chapter 12 and how these ancient words are just as applicable to all of us today, right here in the 21st century. Want to know more? Want to know how to determine whether or not you're one of "those people"? Come and join us on Sunday at 10:30 am as we walk through this part of Paul's letter to learn how we can function together as one body of believers in Christ Jesus.

09/03/2026

One benefit the apostle Paul writes about in Romans 12:2 is that, through renewing our minds, believers can "... test and approve what God's will is - His good, acceptable, and perfect will."

Hitting the bullseye of God’s will isn’t about perfect aim—it’s about daily recalibrating our minds to His Word. The outer rings (acceptable, pleasing) train us for the center (perfect). Each “no” to distraction and “yes” to surrender tightens our focus, and the more we focus on the things God desires for us and our lives, the closer we come to hitting that bullseye. God dismantles our worldly logic so He can rebuild us with kingdom vision.

Like archers who adjust their aim to hit the bullseye when releasing their arrow, we adjust our grip through community, repent when arrows stray, and trust the Spirit’s wind to guide our release. Paul exhorts the Colossian Church to "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2.

The apostle Peter explains it this way: "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance."
1 Peter 1:14

So, ask yourself - What “near-miss” decision (good but not God’s best) might God be inviting you to exchange for His bullseye?

What old thought pattern (about success, security, or self-worth) needs the Spirit’s “dissolving” so Christ’s perspective can emerge?

If you're someone seeking biblical truth and answers, join us for Worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am, or come and jump into a Bible study or small group. We'd love to have you!

09/02/2026

In Romans 12:2, the apostle Paul writes, “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.”

Paul instructs believers to renew their minds so they can discern God's will. His good, acceptable, and pleasing will. Sounds simple enough, right? Yet, if we’re honest with ourselves, the question we tend to ask is, “How on earth can we know the will of Almighty God?” Seriously, nobody knows what God knows, let alone what he’s thinking! Well, if that’s your takeaway, then you may need to think a little more about what Paul wrote.

When we carefully look at the words the apostle writes, we develop a better understanding. How do you do that, you might ask? By taking a step back and looking at all the words surrounding what is written. When we look at the immediate context, the picture becomes clearer and the words more understandable. Sometimes, we may even need to step back further and look at an entire chapter to understand what was said and how it was meant to be understood by the writer’s original audience, not just how we tend to understand it 2,000+ years later.

In verse 2b, Paul tells his readers they could test and approve what God’s will is. So, how do we do that? By going back to the beginning of the verse and understanding that our minds must be renewed. To do that, we must take out the garbage that’s in there and replace it with good things, like God’s word. We do this through daily Bible reading, even if only for 5 minutes at a time. We do it through prayer, whether by yourself or with others, and we do it by gathering with fellow believers – at church, small groups, and Bible studies. When you begin taking out all the garbage and clutter the world has placed in your mind, your brain health improves, and your mind slowly renews. Your vision becomes clearer, allowing you to see what is good and what is bad. Best of all, you begin to think critically again, so you know what is really good and bad. This is how you test whether something is good or not. If it’s not, then you can rest assured it’s probably not God’s will, and the truth of His word in the Bible will confirm it.

Want to know more about renewing your mind according to God’s word? Do you want to know what God’s will is for your life? Come and join us on Sunday morning for worship, or join a small group or Bible study.

08/31/2026

In Paul's letter to the church in Rome, the apostle urges believers in Christ Jesus not to be "conformed" by the pattern of the world or of the current age. He uses the Greek word syschēmatizō (translated as conformed in English), which means to fashion or shape one thing like another, to be of the same figure or appearance as something else. Think of it like putting jello into a mold to make a unique shape, or water into a tray to make fancy-shaped ice cubes. You're conforming those things into a specific shape, regardless of what that shape is.

Today, so many people conform themselves to the whims of our current day and culture, regardless of whether it is right or wrong. When you "jump on the bandwagon" because people say you should, you conform yourself to the world and its thinking, even if it's untruthful or wrong. By doing this, you forfeit your ability to think critically and weigh the evidence for yourself. You give up your ability to weigh the facts against what is known to be true, thereby losing the right to affirm or deny things as truth or a lie.

Paul then contrasts this with an imperative - "Be transformed" by the renewing of your mind. Transformed is translated from the Greek word metamorphoō, from where our English word metamorphosis comes. To do this, we need to renew our minds, and we do that by searching out truth, the truth found in God's word. When we do, only then will we know whether something in our current age really is good, or if we should steer clear of it, regardless of what all the other blind sheep are doing. Don't be a follower of the world - be a follower of Jesus!

Want to know more? Join us Sunday mornings at 10:30 am for worship, or jump into a small group or Bible study. Let God's word speak to you, because only He can change your heart and renew your mind.

08/08/2026

This was a great week at the C.C.C.C. Annual Gathering Conference. What a joy to spend time with many leading Christ's church in various places across the U.S. and abroad. The keynote speaker was inspiring and certainly provided tools for our toolbelts to go and make disciples of Christ. The breakout sessions led by other pastors and church leaders were invaluable and inspiring!

We're looking forward to AG 2027 and the focus on prayer!

Thank you, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, for your hard work putting all this together!

08/08/2026

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY COMING SOON!

Are you looking to get into a good Bible study this fall? Then look no further, because we're about to launch an exciting new study on the book of Proverbs.

The groups will not only study the words of Scripture in this OT book but also glean additional insights from a companion study book entitled "The Way of Wisdom," written by Jen Wilkin et al.

This Bible study will be led by one of our Deacons, Amy Hansen, beginning on Sunday, August 23rd at 12:30 pm here at First Congregational Church, located at 323 Cutler Street in downtown Allegan. For those who cannot make Sunday afternoons, we're also offering this study on the following Monday evenings at 7:00 pm.

You DO NOT need to attend this church or be a member, as this study is open to anyone who wishes to join. You will need the study book, available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Way-Wisdom-Bible-Access-Proverbs, or we can assist you in obtaining it.

If you're interested in jumping into this awesome study, give us a call here at the church at 269-673-3139, and we'll get you on the list.

08/07/2026

Hey, all you men!

Tomorrow morning we're having Men's breakfast right here at FCC beginning at 8:30 am. Not only will we have food for your belly, but also some food for your soul!

So, why not c'mon down for some delicious hot coffee, the finest vittles a man can eat, and a word straight from the One who blesses us with His provision. Make sure to invite a friend or two.

Never been, that's ok! Stop in anyway and meet some new friends. Everyone is welcome!

08/04/2026

07/29/2026

Have you ever wondered how God can make something good come out of something that seems evil?

In Romans 11:11-24, the apostle Paul prepares to conclude his exhortation concerning the nation of Israel. He explains to his readers God's objectives concerning the Israelites' rejection of Jesus as their promised Messiah (something considered evil).

Because most Israelites refused to believe in Jesus, their hearts were hardened, thereby forfeiting the blessing God promised them. Now, God pours out His blessing of salvation to people who never sought Him - the Gentiles. In other words, everyone else in the world, including you and me. While this may seem cruel from our perspective, it is really something very good!

God's objective here is twofold. First, it is to bring salvation to the Gentiles (people like you and me). Second, it is to make the Israelites envious of those who receive God's blessings, so they would reconsider their rebellious ways, repent sincerely, turn back to God, and receive His blessings once again.

Because God chose to operate this way, His grace came to the rest of the world according to His good plan, and we now have access to Him and His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

REFLECTION: Consider the things in your life that don't seem to go as you think they should. How many times have you been upset because of your current circumstances? Are you rebellious? Maybe God is doing something in your life that will bring about something better for you in the long run. While it doesn't always seem this way, we never have the full picture, so we need to trust in God and His plans for our lives. When we do, we often are surprised by what comes next.

Join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 for more Christ-centered biblical teaching and a time of food and fellowship following worship. We'd love to meet you!

07/25/2026

In Romans 11:11, the apostle Paul asks, "Did they stumble so as to fail beyond recovery?"

In the context of this simple question, Paul is talking about Israel and their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. Yet, if we zoom out a little, this very question can be applied not only to Israelites (both then and now), but to everyone, even today.

First, we must ask, what does Paul mean when he writes the word stumble? Paul uses the Greek (πταίω) metaphorically here, and it means to sin, err, or make a mistake. Second, understand what he's asking. Can the Israelites recover from their sins, or are they so far gone that it is virtually impossible? Is life hopeless?

This question is one that many professing believers will ask at some point in their lifetime, either concerning themselves, a loved one, a friend, or other random people. And if we allow the world to influence our thinking, we'll come to the wrong conclusions. Following Christ Jesus is a tough road, and EVERYONE will stumble from time to time. EVERYONE will sin; that's the plain truth. However, if we understand God's word and His promises, and examine life through a biblical worldview vs. a worldly one, we'll KNOW that recovery IS possible. Later in this same passage, Paul uses the imagery of the olive tree and explains that God can and will restore those who come to Him with sincere repentance and faith. God is a stern God, but He is also a merciful and kind God, who is faithful in forgiving people of their sins IF they are willing to come to Him.

REFLECTION: Consider those people or things in your life that cause you to stumble. Are your mistakes piling up because of them, preventing you from having peace in your life? Do you want to be restored and have a loving relationship with God and Christ Jesus? Are you willing to take that step of sincere repentance and seek God's forgiveness while it is still available? He's waiting for you. What will you decide?

Want to know more about following Jesus and the mercy of a stern and just God? Come and join us on Sundays as we walk through the Bible one verse at a time to discover what God has to say to us.