First Christian Church

05/29/2026

Pastor’s Note - June 2026

Hello Disciples!

For those of us whose lives revolve around school calendars, we have entered into an annual time of transition. The school year comes to an end - some of us graduate and prepare for what’s next, others finish out another year knowing there are more still ahead. Some see summer as a time of rest and relaxation, and others get ready for a busy season and the different challenges that it may bring.

With Pentecost Sunday behind us, we’ve entered a similarly transitional time. Some call it “Ordinary Time” for the way the weeks are counted (“ordinal” numbers: first, second, third, etc.) and because it stands outside of other holy seasons. It is often described as a time for growth. Coincidentally (or maybe not), after Pentecost, the early church saw a whole lot of growth. Their time of face-to-face instruction was over, school was out, Jesus was ascended, and then the Holy Spirit arrived on the scene to get stuff done. The Spirit pushed and pulled Disciples further and further from Jerusalem, ever overturning and dismissing the human-established boundaries that previously boxed people in and inhibited the unity and flourishing of God’s Children: cultural and religious identities (Jew/gentile), political positions and affiliations (Roman citizen/noncitizen), and social hierarchies (rich/poor, slave/free, male/female). More and more people found themselves drawn into the powerful and loving presence of God, welcomed to the growing table of the Lord. In word and deed, Disciples witnessed to the Good News: Jesus is alive and humanity has seen the first glimpses of the Realm of God.

Whether the beginning of summer marks a change for your day-to-day or not, the same Spirit that overturned boundaries and tore down walls in the early Church is still on the move today. It may not mean that we travel further and further to share the good news of Jesus, but it definitely does mean that God still calls Disciples to witness to the Gospel in word and deed. Nearly 2000 years removed from those early days, there is no “proof” of Jesus’s death and resurrection we can offer - just our testimony of how God has moved in our lives, directed our paths, and called us to love beyond our carefully-constructed boxes. The evidence of God’s transformation in us should be a clear and powerful witness to the Gospel. And if you don’t feel like your words and deeds bear the mark of good news, well you’re in luck: we’ve entered the season of growth. God’s arms are open wide, the Spirit is ready and willing to get to work, and the Church is here to meet you where you’re at and walk alongside you. A bigger table means you’re welcome, too.

- Pastor Adam

04/25/2026

Pastor’s Note - May 2026

Hello, Disciples!

April has brought us many wonderful things: the Easter season and all its joyful celebrations of resurrection, a baptism into the family of God, more consistent warm weather, and the stirrings of change that come from new classes, fresh ideas, and a spirit of curiosity and imagination. As we move into May and its even warmer weather, we will continue to walk toward abundant life, asking, guessing, praying, and discerning what that might look like for us, our church, and our community.

Of course, we cannot properly talk about new life without acknowledging the tragedy of death. April also brought Centralia a mass shooting. In an era where we’ve numbed ourselves to the sting of gun violence, inundated as we are with story after story of them in the news, few things shock us more than for those stories to become our own reality. But even in the midst of grief and horror, even when it stands in stark contrast to what we see around us, the Church must continue to witness to our resurrection hope. Jesus is alive, and that changes everything. Nothing that hate or death have destroyed will remain unnoticed, untouched, or unaffected by the God who “so loved the world.” So let us proclaim with our voices that resurrection power is still at work here. But more importantly, let us witness with our hands and feet that new, abundant life can grow even in the midst of tragedy. Get involved somewhere, anywhere where there are folks working to alleviate suffering and meet people’s needs. With our senses attuned to the world around us, our hearts and minds attuned to the Gospel, in partnership with God’s Spirit, we will see this Earth look more like heaven.

Blessings,

Pastor Adam

04/04/2026

Join us for an Easter Breakfast before the service tomorrow!

03/27/2026

April 2026 Courier: Pastor’s Note

Hello, Disciples!

We’re rounding the corner on our wilderness journey through Lent. Following in the footsteps of so many faithful people before us, we ventured into the wilderness to learn, grow, and find new direction. For the Israelites leaving Egypt, there was a long way to go to get to the promised land. Many miles to cover and a lot of lessons to learn.

Often in Lent, we who do not feel like we’re in the wilderness pretend as though we are, so that we can learn alongside the people in our sacred stories. But our church doesn’t need to pretend. If the wilderness is that place between where and who we once were and where God is leading us, we are absolutely in the wilderness. And that’s okay! As Terence Fretheim writes, “deliverance in the wilderness is not deliverance from the wilderness.” We’re here to learn. Learn to listen for God’s voice. Learn to follow God’s instruction. Learn to trust that wherever God is leading is a place of blessing, a land flowing with milk and honey.

On Ash Wednesday, we committed ourselves to the work of repentance - realigning ourselves with God. In Lent, we wander in the wilderness, re-learning how to be God’s People. And now, we see Easter on the horizon. New life awaits. Resurrection awaits. Transformation awaits.

So let us continue to seek out God’s direction in diligent prayer and dialogue. Continue learning the lessons of the wilderness. Because we already know that new life lies on the other side. All we have to do is walk in faith. God is not done with us.

Blessings,
Pastor Adam

03/17/2026

02/18/2026

All are invited to join us for our Ash Wednesday Service! We'll gather for a light soup dinner at 5:30pm in the fellowship hall and begin the service at 6:00 in the sanctuary, where we will have communion and offer the opportunity for folks to receive ashes.

10/12/2025

World Communion Sunday with special guests The Bridge Missionary Bible Church and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

10/06/2025

It was such a joy to join in worship yesterday with our siblings in Christ from The Bridge and First Presbyterian!

World Communion Sunday 2025 – One Table, One Family, One Christian Faith

Today, we gathered as one body in Christ — from east and west, north and south — to celebrate World Communion Sunday with unity, love, and grace.

At the Lord’s Table, no one was left out, no faith was too small, and no heart was forgotten. Jesus reminded us:

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you.” (Luke 17:6). In that truth, three churches became one family:

We sang with one voice:
“Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee — How Great Thou Art!”
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow…”
“Abide with me, Lord — when darkness deepens, stay with me.”

And we prayed together: “Lord, pour out Your Spirit upon us. Make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.”

Like mustard seeds planted in faith, our hearts grow stronger when we love, serve, and lift one another — across language, race, and denomination.
Because the same grace that forgave us also unites us.

Go in peace. Serve with joy. Love without borders.

10/02/2025

This Sunday, First Christian Church will join First Presbyterian Church and The Bridge, Missionary Bible Church in worship for World Communion Sunday! Worship starts at 10:00, with a time of fellowship starting at 9:15.

09/23/2025

Join us tomorrow at 5:30pm for the first week of a new study, where we'll dive into our identity as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the role that Covenant Theology plays in the way we show up in the world.