First Congregational Church of Webster Groves

06/05/2026

We have a Red Cross blood drive on June 15! The RC recently ended the prohibition on LGBT men donating:

In this informative interview, Rodney Wilson of the American Red Cr...

06/03/2026

Join us for a screening of this remarkable film! "A Black History Tour of St. Louis" is directed by Tony West and presented by Father Gerry Kleba, a priest who has served predominantly black St. Louis neighborhoods for over fifty years. Father Kleba takes the audience through a tour of St. Louis's black community, and highlights the Catholic Church's role in the complex development of the city.

Several people featured in the film will be present, including: Dred Scott's great, great granddaughter, Lynne Jackson, Homer Phillips Hospital nurse Jobyna Foster, and Mill Creek Valley author and resident Vivian Gibson. More information on this film can be found at www.ablackhistorytour.com.

See you on June 14!

06/01/2026

Stream from 5/31/2026. Enjoy!

First Sunday after PentecostMay. 31. 2026"Chaos and Hope" Pastor Marty BlackFirst Congregational Church of Webster Groves

05/29/2026

Worship, May 31

The Rev. Marty Black returns to the pulpit. She served for three months as our 2024 Sabbatical Pastor. We are always happy to welcome her back!

In the beginning...

There has been much discussion and a lot of disagreement in Christian circles about the meaning of the creation story in Genesis One. But what was the original purpose of the writing? How did it speak to the people who first heard it? And does this ancient writing say anything helpful for us today?

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Message of the Day: "Chaos and Hope"

05/26/2026

Stream from 5/24 service. Enjoy!

Pentecost SundayMay. 24. 2026"Fire and Water" Rev. David Denoon...

05/18/2026

Stream from 5/17 service. Enjoy!

JAZZ WORSHIPSeventh Sunday of EasterMay. 17. 2026"The Oneness at Hand" Rev. David DenoonFirst Congregational Church of Webster Groves

05/15/2026

Worship, May 17
Jazz Worship
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Sunday after Ascension Day

The seventh Sunday of Easter falls in the midst of two important events in the writings of the author of Luke - the Ascension on the fortieth day of Easter, and Pentecost on the fiftieth day. For Luke, this meant that the Messiah was gone, and the Holy Spirit was coming.

Despite the Christian calendar's emphasis on events about which Luke wrote, our gospel reading comes from John 17, as Jesus prays for his followers "that they may all be one" as he and God are one. The UCC adopted this saying as our motto in 1957, and our prayer for all the Church is unity in Spirit and purpose.

Scripture: Acts 1:6-14; John 17:1-11
Anthem: "The Blue-Green Hills of Earth" (from Missa Gaia)
performed by the Oîkos Jazz Ensemble with the Chancel Choir
Message of the Day: "The Oneness at Hand"

05/11/2026

Stream from 5/10 service. Enjoy!

Sixth Sunday of Easter/ Mother's DayMay. 10. 2026"Always Mars Hill" Rev. David DenoonFirst Congregational Church of Webster Groves

05/08/2026

Worship, May 10
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Festival of the Christian Home
Mother's Day

This Sunday, we have a number of readings that seem like the sorts of things our mothers might want us to know. In Acts 17, Paul is in Athens and admiring the many temples there, even the Greek catch-all "to an unknown god." So, Paul tells the people about the God they don't know. The third chapter of 1 Peter bids Christians something like, they ought to choose good trouble for themselves.

Finally, there is the gospel reading, in which Jesus assures his followers that he always will be with them - perhaps not as they expect. Pastor Dave Denoon will reflect on occasions for himself and others when Christ's Holy Spirit became apparent and took them in new and unexpected directions.

Scripture: Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21
Anthem: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" (Tune: DUKE STREET) arr. Lloyd Larson, played by the Canterbury Bells
in their last performance until this fall

Message of the Day: "Always Mars Hill"

05/05/2026

Thanks to everyone who attended this year's Gala on 5/2! We raised over $20,000 for our Partner Agencies!