First Church WS

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First Church WS First Church West Springfield began in 1698 and celebrated its 325th anniversary in 2023.

We are Open & Affirming 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
LGBTQIA+ friendly
We are a Just Peace Church 🕊️
All are welcome!

10/22/2026

🔔The Greatest Commandment this Sunday

Jesus’ teaching of the greatest commandment will be the theme of worship. Our friend Michele Campbell will be our guest preacher! We are in the midst of our annual Stewardship and Generosity campaign, and use money given by members and friends to follow Jesus’ two great commandments. Jesus said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind.” Honoring the Sabbath Day and keeping it holy is what is done when we open our doors every Sunday morning for worship. Jesus continued by saying, “You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.” We care for neighbors by filling the Community Pantry in the parking lot; by hosting Church without Walls each Sunday and Ecumenical Outreach meals each month; by donating funds to the wider United Church of Christ ministries; and by participating in community efforts like the Parish Cupboard and the CROP Hunger Walk. Money pledged and donated to the church helps to staff and support mission and ministry here and around the world.

Faithful stewardship is not only about money – it is about placing our hearts in God’s hands, trusting that where our hearts go, our lives, choices, and resources will follow. We are a community shaped by grace that is asking: Where is our treasure? How can our hearts more fully align with God’s? During this Stewardship season, we are asking members and friends to prayerfully consider making a weekly, monthly or annual gift – and no gift is too small!

🎃Halloween Trunk or Treat Party this Sunday!

Following worship this Sunday, we will be getting buckets of treats ready for the 3 pm party. There is still time to bring in treats or small prizes people who are hosting trunks to hand out. Trunk hosts should be here between 2:30 and 2:45 pm to set up in the front parking lot. Thank you to all who have donated treats and those hosting a trunk!

10/18/2026

October 18, 2026 worship service

10/15/2026

Generosity Kick-Off!

We all know the common definition of fruit - nutritious food that grows on trees and bushes. Fruit is also a word the church uses to talk about proof that people of faith are following Jesus. When we choose to follow Jesus, study the Bible and join a community of faith, beautiful things start to grow - things like love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness. The Bible calls these things "the fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23)

We're kicking off our Generosity and Stewardship Campaign this Sunday, October 18. Love and joy are experienced when people in the church give of their time, talent and treasure to give glory to God and serve others. This Sunday, worshipers of all ages will be invited to think and pray about ways they can spread love and joy through generosity.

Coming Up:

Church Sanctuary Tours: Saturday, October 17. Our Sanctuary will be open for tours as part of the Ramapogue Fall Festival. Church doors will be open from 3 to 4:30 pm for anyone interested in the history of the church and town of West Springfield. No experience is necessary to come and help out! We have handouts available that tell of our history and about beautiful parts of the Sanctuary.

Pizza Potluck Supper & Safe Space Youth Group: Wednesday, October 21. There's a sign-up sheet in Parish Hall for those who wish to bring things that go with pizza. The potluck is from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, and Youth Group is from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

Trunk or Treat Halloween Party: We are still gathering treats and prizes for this big community event happening on October 25! Thank you to those who have volunteered their trunks and who've brought in treats.

10/11/2026

October 7, 2026 worship service

10/04/2026

October 4, 2026 worship service

10/01/2026

World Communion and Neighbors in Need Sunday

World Communion Sunday is a day on which Christians all around the world celebrate Communion. We will celebrate this service by including all ages, by praying in different languages, and by featuring breads from the Middle East. Challah is a special bread in Jewish cuisine, typically eaten on ceremonial occasions such as Shabbat and major Jewish holidays. Pita is a yeast-leavened round flatbread, common throughout the Middle East. By serving both breads at the Lord's table, we can recognize the long-standing hope for peace between Israel and Palestine. First Church invites all worshipers, regardless of age or religious background, to share in Communion.

The Neighbors in Need special Mission offering will be taken this Sunday and next.

World peace is the theme of this special service. Prayers for peace between families, communities, and nations will be shared. Breads from around the world will also be featured on the refreshment table during the fellowship gathering following the service. Participants are invited to bring breads from their heritage to share with others!

🚙Trunks needed for our Trunk or Treat!🎃The First Church Trunk or Treat and Halloween Party will take place on Sunday, Oc...
09/29/2026

🚙Trunks needed for our Trunk or Treat!🎃

The First Church Trunk or Treat and Halloween Party will take place on Sunday, October 25 from 3 to 4:30 pm. We have space for at least 8 cars in our front lot. If you’re interested in decorating a trunk for this event, please let Diana know.

We are also collecting treats and small gifts to supply the trunks. Any wrapped candy or kid-friendly snack is welcome, as well as stickers, pencils, etc. Thank you!

📒 Congregational Coach Meetings 🚨Please plan to attend as your schedule allows. Rev. Joe McGarry will meet with members ...
09/27/2026

📒 Congregational Coach Meetings 🚨

Please plan to attend as your schedule allows. Rev. Joe McGarry will meet with members and friends of First Church for about an hour on each of the following dates:

• Monday, October 5, 5 pm
• Monday, November 9, 5 pm
• Thursday, December 10, 10 am

09/27/2026

September 27, 2026 worship service

Address

108 Park Street
West Springfield, MA
01089

Telephone

+14137396608

Website

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