First Congregational Church of Bakersfield, UCC

09/06/2026

08/28/2026

What Does It Mean to Be a Moses Today?
You probably won't stand before Pharaoh and demand, “Let my people go.”

But you may see someone hungry.
You may notice someone afraid.
You may encounter injustice or suffering and have a chance to respond.

In this Real on Real Rd., Rev. Nancy Bacon talks about the courage of Moses—and the “little Moseses” she saw right here at FCC this week as volunteers served our neighbors through our Food Pantry.

This Sunday, we begin several weeks exploring the epic story of Moses and asking an important question:

What do these ancient stories have to say about the way we live today?

Come join the conversation.

📍 First Congregational Church of Bakersfield
🕙 Sunday at 10 AM

08/19/2026

NEIGHBORHOOD CAFÉ IS TOMORROW! ❤️

There’s always room at the table.

Neighborhood Café is about more than serving a meal. It’s about bringing neighbors together, sharing conversation, and building community.

Each month, First Congregational Church of Bakersfield opens our doors and serves up to 100 people a FREE meal — no strings attached.

Come by yourself. Bring a friend. Bring the family. Meet someone new.

You don’t need to be a church member. You don’t need to sign up. Everyone is welcome.

📅 Thursday, August 20
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 First Congregational Church of Bakersfield
5 Real Road, Bakersfield

Come hungry. Leave knowing you have neighbors who care. ❤️

07/25/2026

What if worship felt more like gathering around the table than sitting in a pew?

That's exactly what we've been doing on the fourth Sunday of every month at First Congregational Church.

Our Intergenerational Interactive Worship Service is a little different than a traditional worship service. We gather around tables in Plymouth Hall where people of all ages share conversation, sing together, explore Scripture, enjoy creative activities, ask questions, and learn from one another.

You won't be asked to have all the answers. You won't be put on the spot. Instead, you'll find a welcoming community where your thoughts, questions, and life experiences are valued.

This month's theme is "Checklist for Heaven." Together we'll explore what Jesus teaches about faith, grace, and what really matters—not through a lecture, but through conversation.

If you've been searching for a church where relationships matter as much as the sermon, we'd love to save you a seat.

📅 Sunday, July 26
📍 Plymouth Hall
☕ Stay afterward for Friendship Hour.

Come as you are. Join the conversation. We'd love to meet you.

07/16/2026

Tonight is Neighborhood Café!

At First Congregational Church of Bakersfield, we believe that everyone deserves a place at the table.

Neighborhood Café is more than a free dinner. It's a chance to slow down, share a meal, meet new friends, and build a stronger, more caring community. Whether you're coming for fellowship, conversation, or simply to enjoy a delicious meal, you'll be welcomed just as you are.

Dinner is served at 6:00 PM

There is no cost, no reservation, and no expectations—just good food, friendly faces, and a place where everyone belongs.

Want to help make the evening special?
Volunteers are invited to arrive at 5:00 PM. Please wear black pants and a white shirt as we serve our guests together.

📍 First Congregational Church of Bakersfield
5 Real Road, Bakersfield

Bring a friend, bring your family, or come on your own. We look forward to sharing the table with you tonight.

07/09/2026

Does this fit with my faith?

It's a simple question. But sometimes it's also the hardest one to ask.

When we read the Gospels, we see Jesus continually drawing near to those on the margins, the overlooked, the vulnerable, the stranger, and those without a voice. His example challenges us to look beyond headlines and opinions and ask ourselves, How does my faith call me to respond?

This week, Rev. Nancy Bacon joined faith leaders from across our community at an interfaith prayer gathering outside the California City detention center. Together they prayed, not only for those being held there, but for their families, those who work at the facility, our leaders, and for the wisdom and courage to seek justice with compassion.

Faith isn't lived only inside the walls of a church. Sometimes faith shows up in prayer circles, in peaceful witness, in listening to one another, and in standing beside neighbors who need to know they have not been forgotten.

Every act of compassion creates a ripple. Every voice raised in love reminds someone they matter. And every time we choose to show up for one another, we help bring God's hope into the world.

May we never stop asking:
"Does this fit with my faith?"

Because faith isn't only something we believe.
It's something we live.

❤️ We'd love to hear your thoughts. How has your faith challenged you to show up for someone else?

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day from First Congregational Church of Bakersfield!

Today, we’re celebrating the dads, grandfathers, stepfathers, foster dads, and mentors who show up every day with love, patience, and support. It is a beautiful reminder of what unconditional love looks like.

"A life of integrity brings a legacy of happiness for the children who follow."
— Proverbs 20:7

To all the men who guide, protect, and lift up the next generation: thank you for everything you do. We hope your day is filled with peace, appreciation, and joy.

Blessings to you and your families today!

06/17/2026

No agenda, just food. 🥖❤️

At First Congregational Church of Bakersfield, we believe Jesus called us to love our neighbors radically and unconditionally. That is exactly why we host our Neighborhood Cafe every single month—to break bread, share hope, and build a community where absolutely everyone is welcome. No strings attached.

Come grab a free, hot meal and sit down with friends, old and new!

🗓️ When: This Thursday, June 18 at 6:00 PM
📍 Where: First Congregational Church of Bakersfield
👥 Volunteers: We love our helpers! Please arrive at 5:00 PM to help us set the tables and prepare the space.

Whether you are coming to eat, volunteer, or just say hi, there is a seat at the table with your name on it. See you there!

06/01/2026

Keeping our neighbors fed takes all of us. 🥖💚

At First Congregational Church, we believe in a God of abundance and a Jesus who told us to feed the hungry. Right now, many of our Bakersfield neighbors are facing a tough situation. Due to upcoming changes in work requirements, thousands of local families are at risk of losing their CalFresh benefits.

Our friends at the CAPK Food Bank (Community Action Partnership of Kern) are stepping up in a huge way to help. They are launching a volunteer program so neighbors can maintain their benefits, but they urgently need 250+ local sites—churches, non-profits, and businesses—to host these volunteers.

When CalFresh benefits drop, our local food pantries feel the weight. We want to help CAPK protect this vital resource.

How can you help?
If you own a business, run an organization, or want to learn how we can get involved, please join CAPK’s informational webinar this coming Wednesday, June 3rd, at 10:30 AM.

👉 Register for the webinar here: fd271435-506c-4fb3-b0ed-8414eabc9c09@29917874-f6b9-4b78-a0d5-52f9a83b94f9" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fd271435-506c-4fb3-b0ed-8414eabc9c09@29917874-f6b9-4b78-a0d5-52f9a83b94f9

Please share this post to help spread the word. Let’s make sure no one in our community goes without a meal. Thank you, FCC family!

Thousands of Kern County families are at risk of losing access to critical food support due to new federal work/volunteer requirements.

We're working to create a collaboration of non profits and businesses who can offer volunteer opportunities to these individuals so they can maintain access to the vital support.

To get more information, please register for our upcoming webinar (link in bio/ first comment).

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