First Congregational Church of Grand Junction, MI

09/11/2026

In Matthew 18:21-35 we find Jesus instructing Peter to forgive, not only seven times, but seventy times seven--a hopelessly impossible task. Jesus reminds us that just as we receive forgiveness, it's equally important to forgive. I think we typically think one act of forgiveness per transgression is enough. When we forgive, we give our feelings of anger and revenge to God. Forgiveness doesn't free the offender as much as it frees those who forgive. Join us for worship on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. as we explore forgiveness and the kind of freedom Jesus has in mind for us.

09/08/2026

Church work day! Many hands make light work. THANKS, GREAT WORK CREW!!!

09/04/2026

We live in an age of dispute and conflict. Then again, when have people never argued with each other? This week we turn to Matthew 18:15-20 and discuss Jesus' advice to solve disputes. This wisdom seems like very personal advice--as if Jesus is in the room. Join us Sunday at 11:00 a.m. to contemplate a life and a world without conflict. Easier said than done, but that's what faith and practice are for. None of us is perfect, we're all on the same faith journey. YOU are welcome to join us!

08/28/2026

This week we turn to Genesis 3:1-15 to the story of The Fall and ponder who is ultimately responsible for sin: the serpent? the woman? the man? Can we hold God responsible, for making the serpent in the first place? How would life be different without any trace of sin--would it even resemble life as we know it? Join us on Sunday at 11:00 as we wrestle with these impossible questions, but also focus on the gift of God's divine grace in our flawed world. We would love to welcome you to the journey of faith.

08/21/2026

On Sunday we turn to Paul's letter to the people of Rome, Romans 12:1-8, and find his familiar themes of focusing yourself for the good of others. Paul urges us to "transform our minds" to God's way of thinking, and contribute our personal gifts and talents to the good of the church, which he considers the living body of Christ. What does it mean to contribute our gifts and talents to a greater whole? How should we live if we hope to be part of a global church that aims to love others more than ourselves? Join us Sunday at 11:00 to learn how you fit in. We'd love to welcome you!

08/14/2026

At the time of Jesus, it was scandalous for a man to talk to a strange woman. So why in the world did Jesus walk 100 miles and get into a big argument, even hurl shocking insults, at a foreign non-Hebrew woman who lived in Canaan, Israel's bitter enemy, but then pay her faith the strongest compliment in all of scripture?! (Matthew 15:10-28) This entire episode contradicts everything Jesus taught about kindness, loving each other and our enemies. So what are we to make of this strange and shocking encounter?! Join us for worship Sunday at 11:00 for a story of faith, even in conflict, and a healing story unlike any other. Whether we relate more to the Canaanite woman or to the "bully" side of Jesus, or perhaps a little of both, your faith will find a home here.

08/11/2026

08/07/2026

"Walking on water" has become the catchphrase for any leap of faith. It's the steps we take when Jesus says "trust me, put your faith in me." In Matthew 14:22-33, we see Peter attempting just this--walking on water, when he sees Jesus walking toward him across the water. Of course Peter fails because human faith is flawed and imperfect. The key to this entire story isn't that Peter failed, it's that Jesus lifted him up, just as Jesus lifts us up in our failures and weaknesses. Jesus never stops calling us, in faith, to do what seems impossible and to put our faith in him. And we never stop falling short. Join us Sunday for worship at 11 to find Jesus reaching out for you when you stumble and fall, when life gets too hard to handle, when impossibilities overwhelm you. Jesus always offers and helping hand--and more.

07/31/2026

Jesus' miracle of feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) is quite familiar to most of us, commonly taught in Sunday school. 5,000 was the headcount of men, not including women and children (verse 21), so the crowd was probably at least 10,000--the population of a good sized town in the region. Was the miracle the crowd size? or that so many people could see or hear Jesus? or that Jesus fed them ALL with five loaves of bread and two fish a boy happened to have with him? Did bread and fish molecules somehow duplicate over and over, or was the real miracle that people who brought food shared with complete strangers who had none? Matthew notes that there were 12 baskets of leftovers (to match the 12 disciples, or the 12 tribes of Israel? Where did the baskets come from?) Join us Sunday morning at 11:00 to unpack these questions and ponder what it means for us today. ALL are welcome here!

07/24/2026

God created all people with love in mind. Part of that love was freedom which gives us the choice to believe in God, or not; to love God back, or not; to be the disciples God wants us to be, or not. In Romans 8:26-39, the apostle Paul makes very clear that NOTHING can make God stop loving us, even if we stop loving God. And when our faith falters, when we don't know how to pray or listen or BE with God, God offers the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to intercede on our behalf. It's not enough to say God has our back, because God has our ALL: our past, our future and our NOW. Join us on Sunday for worship at 11:00 to remember our place in the world, and our place in God's plan. That plan is nothing but love.