First Congregational United Church of Christ, Ocala

First Congregational United Church of Christ, Ocala Open and Affirming Congregational United Church of Christ. Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m.

We are an Open and Affirming Church, welcoming into our life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, rites, sacraments, responsibilities, and blessings, people of all races, genders, ages, marital standings, family structures, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, socio-economic statuses, professions, faith backgrounds, nationalities, and mental and physical challenges.

Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a season and a time for everything under heaven. This Sunday, May 31 at 10:30 AM, ...
05/29/2026

Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a season and a time for everything under heaven. This Sunday, May 31 at 10:30 AM, we are making time for what matters most: faith, friendship, and food!

Come hear Rev. Jo Anne Dyson deliver an uplifting and thought-provoking message, “What’s in Your Bucket?” (Ecclesiastes 3:1–9).

Then, stick around to fill your literal plate! It’s our 5th Sunday Potluck Meal! Whip up your favorite recipe, bring it along, and stay for some of the best food and conversation in Ocala.

Our doors and hearts are wide open. As an Open and Affirming congregation, we celebrate the full diversity of God’s people. You belong here!

This Sunday, May 24, is Pentecost—the day we remember the Spirit showing up among ordinary, uncertain people and breathi...
05/22/2026

This Sunday, May 24, is Pentecost—the day we remember the Spirit showing up among ordinary, uncertain people and breathing new life into them.

Pastor Ken’s message, “The Grace to Be Unready,” reflects on those moments when we don’t have all the answers… and how God still meets us right there.

We’ll also share special music from a men’s quartet singing the timeless spiritual, “Standing in the Need of Prayer.”

If you’ve ever felt tired, uncertain, hopeful, or prayerful—or all of them at once—there is a place for you here this Sunday.

Our worship begins at 10:30 am.

And yes… wear red if you’d like! 🔥 Let’s celebrate together.

05/22/2026

Put me on the exclusion list.
Make the name tag.

Because after more than four decades of chasing Jesus with my whole, often-stubborn heart, I’m convinced of this:

When we stand before Him,
I don’t think He’ll ask for our culture-war commentary.

Not our hot takes on the
undocumented family at the grocery store.

Not our theological dissertation on the gay couple down the street.

Not our carefully rehearsed opinions about transgender athletes.

I don’t think Jesus will be impressed by how loudly we condemned everyone else’s sin.

I think He’ll care how we loved them.

How we treated them.
How we welcomed them.
How we saw them.
How we made room for them.

Because Jesus commanded us to love others.

All others.

No asterisks.
No loopholes.
No “terms and conditions apply.”

Which is deeply inconvenient for any religion or political movement that only feels righteous when it has someone to stand over.

And before anyone grabs a stone in the name of “truth,” maybe we should remember Jesus had some thoughts about stones.

And planks. And specks.

And religious people who were exceptionally skilled at spotting everyone else’s sin... while somehow needing spiritual bifocals for their own.

So yes…
If I’m excluded for who I include?

I can live with that.
Sign me up.

I would rather be criticized for extending the love of Jesus too widely than celebrated for guarding the door too tightly.

Because when I’m honest about my own sin, my own failures, and my own daily need for grace… it gets very hard to point a righteous finger at anyone else.

My sin reminds me I need Jesus.

Constantly.

It reminds me I am unqualified to pick up a stone.

Our job is to lead people toward the same grace that keeps saving us.

To love them.
To serve them.
To let them see Jesus through us.

Their transformation belongs to Him.
Our obedience belongs to us.

And if the Holy Spirit is not confronting them about what keeps bothering us… maybe the problem is not them. Maybe it’s us.

Read that again.

Because we are not the Holy Spirit.

We are not the Savior.

And we are not the project manager of someone else’s transformation.

Jesus told us to make disciples.

He did not tell us to become the bouncer, judge, jury, and prosecutor.

Because someday, when I look Jesus in the eyes, I don’t want to explain why I stood blocking the doorway.

I want Him to see who I tried to welcome in.

Who I tried to love.
Who I tried to lead toward the same grace that keeps saving me.

I want Him to see that I tried to love others like He loves me.

Even if it costs me my seat at some religious tables.

This Sunday, May 24, is Pentecost — so it’s time to break out the red!Wear your favorite red shirt, tie, dress, socks, s...
05/20/2026

This Sunday, May 24, is Pentecost — so it’s time to break out the red!

Wear your favorite red shirt, tie, dress, socks, shoes, or “I forgot until this morning” emergency accessory as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church.

You are warmly invited to worship with us this Sunday at First Congregational United Church of Christ of Ocala at 10:30 ...
05/15/2026

You are warmly invited to worship with us this Sunday at First Congregational United Church of Christ of Ocala at 10:30 am.

This week, Pastor Ken will bring the message: “Standing There When It Passes By.”

We are also blessed to welcome special music from Arthur Burditt, who will sing “Come As You Are.”

No matter who you are, where you’ve been, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. We are an open and affirming church, and there is a place for you among us.

Come as you are. Come seeking hope, peace, community, or simply a quiet moment in God’s presence. We would love to worship with you this Sunday

Join us this Sunday, May 10, at 10:30 am at First Congregational United Church of Christ of Ocala for worship centered o...
05/08/2026

Join us this Sunday, May 10, at 10:30 am at First Congregational United Church of Christ of Ocala for worship centered on Hosea 11:1–4 — a moving reflection on the steadfast love of God.

On this Mother’s Day, we will reflect on the nurturing, steadfast love of God, who draws us close with compassion and grace.

Pastor Dana’s message will explore the promise that with God there is no such thing as “whereabouts unknown.” No matter how far we wander, we are never beyond the reach of grace.

Pastor Ken will share a contemporary version of the beloved hymn “My Jesus I Love Thee.”

As an Open and Affirming congregation, we welcome all people to worship, question, belong, and grow together in God’s love.

Wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

Join us this Sunday at 10:30 am at First Congregational United Church of Christ of Ocala for a meaningful time of worshi...
05/01/2026

Join us this Sunday at 10:30 am at First Congregational United Church of Christ of Ocala for a meaningful time of worship together.

As an Open and Affirming church, we believe making space isn’t just an idea—it’s a calling. This Sunday, Pastor Dana will share the message, “Making Space and a Place for Others,” inviting us to reflect on how we live out a welcome that truly includes all.

We will gather at the table for Communion—where all are invited and all belong.

Our choir will also offer “In the Upper Room,” their final anthem before taking a well-deserved summer break. Come help us celebrate and give thanks for their ministry this season.

There’s a place for you here. Truly. We’d love to see you Sunday.

04/29/2026

Announcing, Still Speaking Theology, a new podcast from the Florida Conference United Church of Christ!

Join Rev. Nayiri Karjian, Transitional Conference Minister, and Neal Watkins, Minister of Vision and Vitality, as they explore timeless questions rooted in the realities of the present moment. With Nayiri’s multicultural perspective and a shared conviction that God is still speaking, each episode opens the door to reflection, wonder, and meaningful conversation.

This is a space where diverse perspectives matter and are essential to the conversation. Still Speaking Theology explores faith, scripture, and life with curiosity, openness, and hope, inviting you to listen, question, and engage from your own lived experience.

Listen now on our website (https://www.uccfla.org/podcast-show/) or subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and be part of the conversation.

04/24/2026

Join us this Sunday at 10:30 am at First Congregational United Church of Christ of Ocala for a meaningful time of worship together.

This Sunday is known as Good Shepherd Sunday—a day in the church year when we reflect on Jesus as the one who leads, cares for, and stays with us, especially when life feels uncertain or heavy.

Our choir will offer a gentle, moving setting of Psalm 23, and Pastor Ken will be preaching a message titled “Sheep Shape and Not Alone.”

We are an Open and Affirming congregation, and wherever you are on your journey, you are welcome here.

Come as you are—and come be reminded that you are not alone.

Address

6140 SW 78th Avenue Rd
Ocala, FL
34474

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 3pm
Tuesday 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Sunday 10:30am - 11:30am

Telephone

+13523292032

Website

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