First United Church of Christ (Marion, Ohio)

12/24/2023

Join us for Christmas Eve worship at 11:00am at our new location. We are now worshiping in the lower level of the United Church Homes building at 170 E Center Street, Marion, OH.

Rev. Hafidha Saadiqah will lead our worship service as we light the advent candles, sing traditional hymns and carols, and present a "no-rehearsal" Christmas Pageant.

All our welcome!

Note: The church office is located in the building behind United Church Homes. The office location/mailing address is 130 N State Street, Marion, OH 43302. Our phone is 740-382-4537.

12/24/2022

First UCC/St. Paul's Joint Christmas Eve Service Canceled

Please note that due to frigid temps, ice, and blowing snow forecasted for December 24th, compounded by the dark conditions, the decision has been made by the leadership of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and First United Church of Christ to cancel our Joint Christmas Eve Service scheduled for 7:15pm on December 24, 2022. We will miss worshiping together but do not want to put anyone at potential risk. Please stay safe and keep warm.
Conditions are expected to be somewhat better on Christmas Day, and weather permitting, both churches anticipate holding Christmas morning services on December 25th, with St. Paul's meeting at 9.30am and First UCC meeting at 11:00am.
Wishing you all a blessed Christmas. May you feel the hope, peace, joy, and love of the season.

08/22/2022

Message for August 14, 2022 by Rev. Hafidah Saadiqah:
"For Such a Time As It Always Is"
Scriptures:
Exodus 3:2-5
Matthew 16: 24-28

Listen to For Such a Time As It Always Is from First United Church of Christ Sermons Online.

05/08/2022

May 1, 2022 Worship

Thank you to Rev. Mark Schuring for being our guest pastor.

FirstUCC 11:00am Worship

04/24/2022

Today's (April 24, 2022) Worship:

This is Rev. Robin Keating's last Sunday at First United Church of Christ, Marion, Ohio. He now enters into retirement.

Second Sunday of EasterApril 24, 2022

04/21/2022

This Sunday's (April 24, 2022) Scripture and Reflection:

Acts 5:27-32 and John 20:19-31

Reflection:
The disciples fear for their lives, sitting behind locked doors. Their fear is very real and justified – their teacher has brutally died upon a cross. They must be waiting for a dreaded knock on the door, which will take them into chaos, death and destruction. At the very least they doubt, if not completely deny, the appearance of Jesus to Mary. Then Jesus appears! Through all their barriers! And Jesus’ love enters in, embracing, enfolding, encircling, and the disciples fear is transformed into faith and power. Their world is made new!

Questions:
1. What door(s) have you locked in your life?
2. Has love ever transformed the fear in your life? If so, how?
3. What do you need Christ’s love to transform today?

The Message for Modern Life
“Faith Creation” Pastor Robin Keating

04/17/2022

Today's (Easter Sunday) Worship:

Easter SundayScripture: Acts 10:34-43 and Luke 24:1-12Sermon: Easter DreamsRev. Robin Keating

04/15/2022

Easter Sunday's Scripture and Reflection:
Acts 10:34-43 & Luke 24:1-12

Questioning for Reflection:

Where are you in this story? Are you peering into the tomb? Or maybe you’re standing with Jesus, experiencing the resurrection power that restores hope. Are you looking with Peter’s eyes, astonished and wondering at the meaning of this time? Are you listening as Jesus calls you by name, even when your tear-filled eyes fail to recognize him? Are you a witness for those who seek him?

The Message for Modern Life
“Easter Dreams” Pastor Robin Keating

04/14/2022

The religious right is bullying First United Church of Oak Park.

04/10/2022

Today's (Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022) Worship:

Palm SundayScripture: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 and Luke 19:28-40Sermon: Whose Parade?Rev. Robin Keating

04/10/2022

Thank you Volunteers!

We are so thankful for our sandwich making volunteers, who are working hard to prepare and deliver our daily sandwiches! These selfless volunteers recently made sandwiches for our routes: Lucky Clovers 4H, First Church of The Brethren 4, Peggy Bond, Brenda Loperx2, Mary Bickley and Polly Kilgore, OhioHealth Marion General Hospital Behavioral Health Unit, First United Church of Christ (Marion, Ohio), Yvonne Cooperrider, Tonya Edens, Chris Kunkleman, and Marion City Schools ' Withrow Equity Center, Thank you so much! We couldn't do this without your partnership! Here's the link to our online scheduler (which contains detailed directions) - please consider signing up - the summer dates are in the system waiting to be claimed :-)
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050c4ea9aa2ea7f85-sandwich

04/10/2022

Today's (Palm Sunday - April 10, 2022) Scripture and Reflection:

Ps. 118: 1-2, 19-29 and Luke 19:28-40

Reflection:
The crowds gathered at the eastern gate in Jerusalem, as Jesus entered the city to shouts of “Hosanna! (Hurray!)” The people were hungry for a military leader that would turn the tables on the Roman oppressors, returning them to the days of Jerusalem’s glory under the rule of King David. They heard, as word traveled quickly, that Jesus was the Messiah, the Anointed One, the one the people long awaited. Some must have been dismayed, seeing Jesus on a c**t (a donkey’s c**t?) and not a mighty stallion. They just couldn’t – wouldn’t – understand that Jesus went far beyond their expectations of a hero. Their view of Jesus attempted to place him in a “box ”, defining him by their expectations, and not by Jesus’ repeated message of who he was and what he brought.

Questions:
1. What made it so easy for the people to change their cries from “Hosanna!” to "Crucify”?
2. How do you define Jesus? Do your expectations place him in a “box”?
3. Have you wanted Jesus to “right the wrongs” in your life? What are some of the injustices, wounds, and brokenness that Jesus transformed for you? Was it the way you expected it?

The Message for Modern Life
“Whose Parade?” Rev. Robin Keating