First Church of Brethren

First Church of Brethren Continuing the work of Jesus peacefully, simply, together. Worship at 10:30am Sundays.

This Sunday is Pentecost- Darryl Parr will bring the message.The second chapter of Acts begins by saying, “When the day ...
05/21/2026

This Sunday is Pentecost- Darryl Parr will bring the message.

The second chapter of Acts begins by saying, “When the day of Pentecost had come . . .,” and it’s come once again. Pentecost will be observed this Sunday, 50 days after Easter. It’s sometimes been called “the birthday of the church,” but just what does that mean? What is Pentecost, and, more importantly, what does it mean for us today? And how about the Holy Spirit that Luke tells us was poured out on the disciples on the church’s first Pentecost — what does that have to do with us? Those are the questions we’ll be looking at this Sunday when, like the first disciples, we’re “all together in one place” for worship.

Service begins at 10:30 & all are invited to wear red (if you so desire) to get into the Pentecost spirit!

Our guest preacher a few weeks ago, Jocelyn Metzger Watkins of First Church of the Brethren of Peoria. Jocelyn is our cu...
05/19/2026

Our guest preacher a few weeks ago, Jocelyn Metzger Watkins of First Church of the Brethren of Peoria. Jocelyn is our current district moderator and spoke on her theme for the year Kindled Anew.

The topic is so crucial- how to be the church in a changing world, and a changing church. We are so blessed to have brave leaders who hang on to the values of the past, while navigating the challenges of the future.

Thank you Jocelyn!

Join us for worship tomorrow at 10:30 as Evelyn Taylor shares a message about Big Topics.From the Boulevard- “I read rec...
05/16/2026

Join us for worship tomorrow at 10:30 as Evelyn Taylor shares a message about Big Topics.

From the Boulevard- “I read recently that sometimes a topic is “too big” for even a professional writer to take on. The topic in the writer’s case was contemplating an article about his daughter’s unexpected death in her mid-30s. How could he meaningfully capture his feelings of love, loss, grief, and regret in a single magazine story?

As poignant as his story was, I thought about subjects “too big” to capture. Subjects so big that no amount of study or contemplation can help us fully grasp them. For me, that is God. I am not a theologian or pastor with years of study behind me who can offer definitive, let alone profound, words about God. God is simply “too big” for me. What can we learn from many small “pictures” of God in the Bible and in our everyday lives that offer insights into just what we can know—and even not know—about God? Consider sharing your thoughts during the message.”

Happy Pride to all you beloved children of God!
05/16/2026

Happy Pride to all you beloved children of God!

If you’re planning to attend annual conference next month, here are some great ways to get out with other conference goe...
05/14/2026

If you’re planning to attend annual conference next month, here are some great ways to get out with other conference goers and support the community that’s hosting us!

We're just a few days from our spaghetti dinner! This Thursday (April 30) you can get a delicious homecooked meal AND su...
04/27/2026

We're just a few days from our spaghetti dinner! This Thursday (April 30) you can get a delicious homecooked meal AND support our youth traveling to National Youth Conference this summer!

Tickets are $14 for adults or $7 for kids (12 and under). This includes Spaghetti with meat or veggie sauce, garlic bread, salad with a dessert and drink.

Next week is the Liturgical Arts Festival! Here’s the full calendar of events for anyone who wants to participate.
04/27/2026

Next week is the Liturgical Arts Festival! Here’s the full calendar of events for anyone who wants to participate.

This sunday's worship centers around John 21. Laura Lipscomb will share the message & Bill Furry will provide accompanim...
04/23/2026

This sunday's worship centers around John 21. Laura Lipscomb will share the message & Bill Furry will provide accompaniment.

It’s been a few weeks since Easter, and the excitement is beginning to fade. In our reading, we find the disciples in that same space, recovering from the shock and awe of the resurrection wondering what comes next. Imagine going from following Jesus and the enthusiasm of that ministry, to trying to exist in the world that killed him- and with the same people still in power. What types of questions might've run through their minds? Maybe the same ones that often run through ours.

This Sunday, we'll reflect on how Jesus came to the disciples and how He sent them on from there.

Art: Miraculous Draught of Fishes, John Reilly 1978

First Church volunteers had a wonderful time helping out at the Central Illinois Food Bank in Springfield on Monday. The...
04/22/2026

First Church volunteers had a wonderful time helping out at the Central Illinois Food Bank in Springfield on Monday. The line was long, but what a smooth operation and a beautiful day!

Join us for worship at 10:30 Sunday, as we pray for peace. Service will be led by Bill Furry with the Hammond organ bein...
04/16/2026

Join us for worship at 10:30 Sunday, as we pray for peace. Service will be led by Bill Furry with the Hammond organ being played by Stephen Maxwell.

“By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world."

Ralph Waldo Emerson's 1837 poem "Concord Hymn" about the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, commemorates the unveiling of an obelisk at the location, a memorial to the militiamen who made their stand that day, and lit the spark that became the American Revolution. But there is no memorial to those whose consciences dictated they not raise up arms against their brothers. Today, we give thanks to those who choose peace, not violence, as the true path to liberty, and we look to our Brethren past for inspiration in a renewed time of global conflict.

Address

2115 Yale Boulevard
Springfield, IL
62703

Telephone

+12175235212

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