1st Congregational United Church of Christ - Charlevoix

09/08/2026

This week, we’ll continue to explore the value and purposes of what we call “Reaching In” – those internal spiritual practices and disciplines that deepen our spiritual connection to God. Jesus both taught and exemplified that such internal, often solitary practices compel us outward to the community where we can meet the needs of others. Come and see why.

We will be outside again under our shade sail amidst the beauty of our newly renovated garden. Bring your lawn chair and a hot beverage to enjoy. In case of inclement weather, worship will be inside our beautiful and historic 144-year old church – the oldest church in Charlevoix! We’ll see you Sunday at 10:30 am!

In case you are wondering who is welcome to be a part of our community, the answer is EVERYONE…NO EXCEPTIONS…PERIOD! We welcome all into our church home. Dress casually, and come as you are. If you can’t make it in person, check out our livestream at your convenience at www.chxucc.org under Online Worship.

Please check out Toby’s podcast on Spotify. It’s called “Toby’s Take.” Give him 10 minutes, and he’ll give you a whole new way of looking at things. Check out the link here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/75Em79SvErmO9mWtk0y9bi?si=6d18a9712f6f46a7

09/01/2026

Welcome to September at 1st Congregational Church – The Church with the Purple Doors! All this month, we’ll be exploring what it means to “reach inward” on our spiritual journey. In our tradition, we believe that God lives inside each and every one of us, and thus the quieter spiritual disciplines of silence, contemplation, meditation, and prayer are absolutely crucial if we want to live more like Jesus.

We will be outside again under our shade sail amidst the beauty of our newly renovated garden. Bring your lawn chair and a hot beverage to enjoy. In case of inclement weather, worship will be inside our beautiful and historic 144-year old church - the oldest church in Charlevoix! We'll see you Sunday at 10:30 am!

In case you are wondering who is welcome to be a part of our community, the answer is EVERYONE…NO EXCEPTIONS…PERIOD! We welcome all into our church home. Dress casually, and come as you are. If you can’t make it in person, check out our livestream at your convenience at www.chxucc.org under Online Worship.

Please check out Toby’s podcast on Spotify. It’s called “Toby’s Take.” Give him 10 minutes, and he’ll give you a whole new way of looking at things. Check out the link here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/75Em79SvErmO9mWtk0y9bi?si=27f7f911040d4636

08/25/2026

This Sunday, we will celebrate Friendship and the role our friendships play in shaping and solidifying our identity and self-esteem. Our service will feature music from Carole King, John Prine, and the Beatles. Don’t miss it. Once again, we’ll be worshipping outdoors – weather permitting – in our newly renovated garden area under our sail tent.

In case of inclement weather, worship will be inside our beautiful and historic 144-year old church – the oldest church in Charlevoix! Please bring a lawn chair and your favorite hot beverage, and we’ll see you Sunday at 10:30 am!

In case you are wondering who is welcome to be a part of our community, the answer is EVERYONE…NO EXCEPTIONS…PERIOD! We welcome all into our church home. Dress casually, and we will see you next Sunday. If you can’t make it in person, check out our livestream at your convenience at www.chxucc.org under Online Worship.

Please check out Toby’s podcast on Spotify. It’s called “Toby’s Take.” Give him 10 minutes, and he’ll give you a whole new way of looking at things. Check out the link here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/75Em79SvErmO9mWtk0y9bi?si=e86aa86f14cd476a

08/18/2026

This week, we'll enter week four of our series on Identity - Who am I? Who are you? Who are we? This week, we'll focus on our inconsistencies and contradictions as humans and as people trying to follow Jesus. We aren't perfect. We make mistakes. We often don't live up to the values and beliefs we espouse. What are we to do with our contradictions and with the contradictions of others? Come and see.

Once again, we'll be worshipping outdoors - weather permitting - in our newly renovated garden area under our sail tent. In case of inclement weather, worship will be inside our beautiful and historic 144-year old church - the oldest church in Charlevoix! Please bring a lawn chair and your favorite hot beverage, and we'll see you Sunday at 10:30 am!

In case you are wondering who is welcome to be a part of our community, the answer is EVERYONE...NO EXCEPTIONS...PERIOD! We welcome all into our church home. Dress casually, and we will see you next Sunday. If you can't make it in person, check out our livestream at your convenience at www.chxucc.org under Online Worship.

Please check out Toby's podcast on Spotify. It's called "Toby's Take." Give him 10 minutes, and he'll give you a whole new way of looking at things. Check out the link here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/75Em79SvErmO9mWtk0y9bi?si=812b15762f014686

08/11/2026

As we come to week 3 in our series on Identity, we turn to celebrating our shared core, our common center as beloved creatures of God. Too often, we turn to our differences and distinctions to identify ourselves and others, but is this what God would have us do? Come and see!

Once again, we’ll be worshipping outdoors – weather permitting – in our newly renovated garden area under our sail tent. In case of inclement weather, worship will be inside our beautiful and historic 144-year old church – the oldest church in Charlevoix! Please bring a lawn chair and your favorite hot beverage, and we’ll see you Sunday at 10:30 am!

In case you are wondering who is welcome to be a part of our community, the answer is EVERYONE…NO EXCEPTIONS…PERIOD! We welcome all into our church home. Dress casually, and we will see you next Sunday. If you can’t make it in person, check out our livestream at your convenience at www.chxucc.org under Online Worship.

Please check out Toby’s podcast on Spotify. It’s called “Toby’s Take.” Give him 10 minutes, and he’ll give you a whole new way of looking at things. Check out the link here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/75Em79SvErmO9mWtk0y9bi?si=230628f8bd184264

08/04/2026

All through the month of August, we'll be exploring who we are - what our identity is. Last week we looked at the various forces that shape and even cover up our identity with false selves. This week we'll consider the importance of our belief that no two of us are alike, that we're all created uniquely and with a particular skill set. Yet even in light of that belief, we so often assume that God wants us to be different than who we are. What if God wants us to be exactly who we are? Come and see!

Once again, we'll be worshipping outdoors - weather permitting - in our newly renovated garden area under our sail tent. In case of inclement weather, worship will be inside our beautiful and historic 144-year old church - the oldest church in Charlevoix! Please bring a lawn chair and your favorite hot beverage, and we'll see you Sunday at 10:30 am!

In case you are wondering who is welcome to be a part of our community, the answer is EVERYONE...NO EXCEPTIONS...PERIOD! We welcome all into our church home. Dress casually, and we will see you next Sunday. If you can't make it in person, check out our livestream at your convenience at www.chxucc.org under Online Worship.

Please check out Toby's podcast on Spotify. It's called "Toby's Take." Give him 10 minutes, and he'll give you a whole new way of looking at things. Check out the link here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/75Em79SvErmO9mWtk0y9bi?si=bf93ae5c319e45f4

07/28/2026

Join us this Sunday, as Toby will begin a 4-week series on “Our Identity.” We’ll explore who we are in Christ. This Sunday, he’ll focus on just how much we have to UN-learn to re-establish our God given core as children of God. We’ll also be celebrating the Lord’s Supper together outside in our beautiful garden area. Bring a lawn chair and learn with us in the heart of Charlevoix the Beautiful.

Once again, we’ll be worshipping outdoors – weather permitting – in our newly renovated garden area under our sail tent. In case of inclement weather, worship will be inside in our beautiful and historic 144-year old church – the oldest church in Charlevoix! Please bring a lawn chair and your favorite hot beverage, and we’ll see you Sunday at 10:30 am!

In case you are wondering who is welcome to be a part of our community, the answer is EVERYONE…NO EXCEPTIONS…PERIOD! We are an Open and Affirming church. Dress casually, and we will see you next Sunday. If you can’t make it in person, check out our livestream at your convenience at www.chxucc.org under Online Worship.

Please check out Toby’s podcast on Spotify. It’s called “Toby’s Take.” Give him 10 minutes, and he’ll give you a whole new way of looking at things. Check out the link here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/75Em79SvErmO9mWtk0y9bi?si=c8674cdae1f64680

07/28/2026

Bay View Music Festival Presents: American Spiritual Intensive 2026

The only event of its kind in the world, you’ll be wrapped in the creativity, hope and comfort these songs of faith produced out of one of the darkest moments in American history.

This performance will be held in our beautiful and historic 144 year old Sanctuary, the oldest in Charlevoix! Admission is FREE!!

The address is 101 State Street, Charlevoix, at the corner of State and Park.

07/21/2026

This week we’ll be exploring the evolving understanding of God’s presence as it unfolds throughout the scriptures. We’ll look at each of the 5 phases our faith ancestors progressed through in the way they understood and accessed the divine presence in their lives. This journey ends with extraordinarily good news for all of us! Don’t miss it.

Once again, we’ll be worshipping outdoors – weather permitting – in our newly renovated garden area under our sail tent. In case of inclement weather, worship will be inside in our beautiful 144 year old historic church – the oldest church in Charlevoix! Please bring a lawn chair, and your favorite hot beverage, and we’ll see you Sunday at 10:30 am!

In case you are wondering who is welcome to be a part of our community, the answer is EVERYONE…NO EXCEPTIONS…PERIOD! We are an Open and Affirming church. Dress casually, and we will see you next Sunday. If you can’t make it in person, check out our livestream at your convenience at www.chxucc.org under Online Worship.

Please check out Toby’s podcast on Spotify. It’s called “Toby’s Take.” Give him 10 minutes, and he’ll give you a whole new way of looking at things. Check out the link here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/75Em79SvErmO9mWtk0y9bi?si=f404791b94ea4458

07/14/2026

Here is a more in-depth interview with Tom Dickelman, our guest during this Sunday's service. He is currently circling Lake Michigan on his Wave Runner to raise money for Glioblastoma research.

We will be hosting a picnic afterward with food and music until 1p. All are welcome!

CHICAGO (WGN) – Most people spend retirement slowing down, but one man is doing quite the opposite. Tom Dickelman is riding a jet ski around the entire perimeter of Lake Michigan, covering mo…