First Congregational Church of Western Springs

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers.This week we ask Our Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Richard Kirchherr (rich@wscongo.org) two final questions that curious kids are wondering about. Questions this episode are:Is God everywhere? How does that work?If God gave you Superpowers, what power would you choose to help people the most?Are you a Curious Kid with Questions? Click the link below to submit your questions online with your parents' permission.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Curious Kids, Faithful Answers Podcast - First Congregational Church of Western Springs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs⁠

This week starts a two-week series on reconciliation. We’ll read part of the story with Jacob and Esau, two brothers that came into this world fighting and competing with one another and whose birth story set the tone for the rest of their lives. These two were always at odds. Until one day, after years of distance and separation, after a dream, after a mystical encounter with God, and a fateful meeting that could have gone really badly, these two brothers reconciled. So what was it that led to their reconciliation? And what might we learn from their stories to help our own distant and divided world?Link to Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg6-NDjdMQs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link to Start of Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg6-NDjdMQs&t=2084s⁠If you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers.This week we ask Our Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Richard Kirchherr (rich@wscongo.org) two questions that curious kids are wondering about. Questions this episode are:What is the best way to talk to God, when you don't know what to say?If you had to write a letter to kids around the world what would you tell them?Are you a Curious Kid with Questions? Click the link below to submit your questions online with your parents' permission.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Curious Kids, Faithful Answers Podcast - First Congregational Church of Western Springs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs⁠

Friends, Rich will preach his last sermon as senior pastor this Sunday, and it will be a variation on his Thanksgiving alphabet sermons. This Sunday his reflection is entitled Blessed.The Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ will also be present and lead us in a liturgy of farewell, which will bring Rich’s covenant as one of our pastors to its conclusion.Link to Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtv_k4p8jEQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link to Start of Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtv_k4p8jEQ&t=2184sIf you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers.This week we ask Our New Senior Minister Chrissy Tatum Williamson (chrissy@wscongo.org) two questions that curious kids are wondering about. Questions this episode are:If God gave you Superpowers which one, would you choose to help people the most?How do you stay calm when things get really stressful?Are you a Curious Kid with Questions? Click the link below to submit your questions online with your parents' permission.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Curious Kids, Faithful Answers Podcast - First Congregational Church of Western Springs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs⁠

One of the most famous prayers in our tradition is the Jesus prayer (aka the Lord’s Prayer) which is found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Though the wording is different in each iteration, and the context surrounding the prayer varies from one Gospel to the next, there is one commonality that should not go unnoticed: each petition begins with “Our.” This week as we consider our promises to the church in the 2026 calendar year, we center ourselves around the prayer of Jesus and the way he used the word “our” to remind us of our commitment to one another. Link to Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URC2mXIAwjU⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link to Start of Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URC2mXIAwjU&t=2071sIf you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs

Our Words & Music Podcast brings the Words of our speakers directly to you in podcast format. For the Start of Words & Music Season 25-26 we presents:Lost & FoundBe there for the All In Band’s long-awaited return with Lost & Found – a bold mix of music that uncovers how pop culture wrestles with what’s lost, and how faith redefines what it means to be found.All are welcome to join us at the intersection of pop culture and faith! Our monthly Words & Music programs take place typically on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the month at 5PM in Plymouth Hall from September to May! During these popular services, All In features songs interspersed with personal stories from guest speakers on a unique theme, and at every performance, a free will offering is collected to support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BANDWITH CHICAGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Founded in 2015, BandWith is a Chicago-based non-profit organization whose mission is to provide lasting access to high quality music and performing arts instruction to underserved Chicago communities. Beginning in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, BandWith is now providing free access to programs around dance, drumline, instrumental, choral ensemble and sound engineering activities.Find more of our Musical opportunities by going to:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wscongo.org/music/⁠⁠

Our Words & Music Podcast brings the Words of our speakers directly to you in podcast format. For the Start of Words & Music Season 25-26 we presents:Lost & FoundBe there for the All In Band’s long-awaited return with Lost & Found – a bold mix of music that uncovers how pop culture wrestles with what’s lost, and how faith redefines what it means to be found.All are welcome to join us at the intersection of pop culture and faith! Our monthly Words & Music programs take place typically on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the month at 5PM in Plymouth Hall from September to May! During these popular services, All In features songs interspersed with personal stories from guest speakers on a unique theme, and at every performance, a free will offering is collected to support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BANDWITH CHICAGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Founded in 2015, BandWith is a Chicago-based non-profit organization whose mission is to provide lasting access to high quality music and performing arts instruction to underserved Chicago communities. Beginning in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, BandWith is now providing free access to programs around dance, drumline, instrumental, choral ensemble and sound engineering activities.Find more of our Musical opportunities by going to:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wscongo.org/music/⁠⁠

Our Words & Music Podcast brings the Words of our speakers directly to you in podcast format. For the Start of Words & Music Season 25-26 we presents:Lost & FoundBe there for the All In Band’s long-awaited return with Lost & Found – a bold mix of music that uncovers how pop culture wrestles with what’s lost, and how faith redefines what it means to be found.All are welcome to join us at the intersection of pop culture and faith! Our monthly Words & Music programs take place typically on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the month at 5PM in Plymouth Hall from September to May! During these popular services, All In features songs interspersed with personal stories from guest speakers on a unique theme, and at every performance, a free will offering is collected to support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BANDWITH CHICAGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Founded in 2015, BandWith is a Chicago-based non-profit organization whose mission is to provide lasting access to high quality music and performing arts instruction to underserved Chicago communities. Beginning in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, BandWith is now providing free access to programs around dance, drumline, instrumental, choral ensemble and sound engineering activities.Find more of our Musical opportunities by going to:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wscongo.org/music/⁠⁠

Our Words & Music Podcast brings the Words of our speakers directly to you in podcast format. For the Start of Words & Music Season 25-26 we presents:Lost & FoundBe there for the All In Band’s long-awaited return with Lost & Found – a bold mix of music that uncovers how pop culture wrestles with what’s lost, and how faith redefines what it means to be found.All are welcome to join us at the intersection of pop culture and faith! Our monthly Words & Music programs take place typically on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the month at 5PM in Plymouth Hall from September to May! During these popular services, All In features songs interspersed with personal stories from guest speakers on a unique theme, and at every performance, a free will offering is collected to support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BANDWITH CHICAGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Founded in 2015, BandWith is a Chicago-based non-profit organization whose mission is to provide lasting access to high quality music and performing arts instruction to underserved Chicago communities. Beginning in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, BandWith is now providing free access to programs around dance, drumline, instrumental, choral ensemble and sound engineering activities.Find more of our Musical opportunities by going to:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wscongo.org/music/⁠⁠

Our Words & Music Podcast brings the Words of our speakers directly to you in podcast format. For the Start of Words & Music Season 25-26 we presents:Lost & FoundBe there for the All In Band’s long-awaited return with Lost & Found – a bold mix of music that uncovers how pop culture wrestles with what’s lost, and how faith redefines what it means to be found.All are welcome to join us at the intersection of pop culture and faith! Our monthly Words & Music programs take place typically on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the month at 5PM in Plymouth Hall from September to May! During these popular services, All In features songs interspersed with personal stories from guest speakers on a unique theme, and at every performance, a free will offering is collected to support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BANDWITH CHICAGO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Founded in 2015, BandWith is a Chicago-based non-profit organization whose mission is to provide lasting access to high quality music and performing arts instruction to underserved Chicago communities. Beginning in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, BandWith is now providing free access to programs around dance, drumline, instrumental, choral ensemble and sound engineering activities.Find more of our Musical opportunities by going to:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wscongo.org/music/⁠

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers.This week we ask Our New Senior Minister Chrissy Tatum Williamson (chrissy@wscongo.org) two questions that curious kids are wondering about. Questions this episode are:What is the funniest thing that has happen to you during a Church Service?What is the hardest part about being a pastor?Are you a Curious Kid with Questions? Click the link below to submit your questions online with your parents' permission.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Curious Kids, Faithful Answers Podcast - First Congregational Church of Western Springs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs⁠

This Sunday, Rich will preach his next-to-last sermon at both services. His theme will explore how, in our world and nation, the diversity of faith traditions can deepen and enrich our own Christian faith.Link to Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q47ouhZyimU⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link to Start of Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q47ouhZyimU&t=2305sIf you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers.This week we ask Our Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Richard Kirchherr (rich@wscongo.org) two questions that curious kids are wondering about. Questions this episode are:What does God look like?Is the Bible real? Like Nonfiction?Are you a Curious Kid with Questions? Click the link below to submit your questions online with your parents' permission.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Curious Kids, Faithful Answers Podcast - First Congregational Church of Western Springs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs⁠

What is your biggest dream?Perhaps it is a dream so grand you don’t let yourself admit it, or voice it, or really even want it. Most adults have learned how to do this. We suppress dreams as a way of protecting ourselves from the pain of disappointment. We become realists, when we used to be dreamers.The Bible is full of stories about dreamers. Folks who heard the voice of God in their dreams and had faith that God would bring these dreams to life.What if God is still in the business of giving us big dreams – and then helping them become reality? Link to Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd9kaOnz5P8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link to Start of Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd9kaOnz5P8&t=2002sIf you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers.This week we ask Our Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Richard Kirchherr (rich@wscongo.org) two questions that curious kids are wondering about. Questions this episode are:What language does God speak?Does God have any friends? How many?Are you a Curious Kid with Questions? Click the link below to submit your questions online with your parents' permission.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Curious Kids, Faithful Answers Podcast - First Congregational Church of Western Springs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs

We all know the phrase, “There’s no ‘I’ in team.” Many of us first heard it on the field or court, when coaches encouraged us to set aside our egos and work together. But as adults—especially within a church or community—that simple lesson can feel more complicated as our teams grow, shift, and change. This Sunday, we’ll turn to a familiar parable from Luke’s gospel to find if there is any good news for those struggling with the opposing pulls of individualism and community.Link to Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPrIIhBFc-E⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link to Start of Sermon: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPrIIhBFc-E&t=2681sIf you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs

This Sunday at First Congo Rev. Chrissy Tatum Williamson will preach a sermon entitled: “The Difference Between Molding and Molded.”Everybody likes the idea of being transformed (past tense). Looking back on the past and seeing how we've grown and changed. Children exude pride when they begin a new school year, one grade more than when they left for summer break. As adults we sometimes look upon our careers and our skills (whether for work, play, or hobby) in much the same way. Look at how we've grown and changed and improved! What nobody likes is the work of changing. This week's reading challenges us to take a humble look and see if God might be molding us - even now. Link to Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7BXNVoMaz0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link to Start of Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7BXNVoMaz0&t=2197sIf you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs

Meredith will reflect on Jesus’s parable about the seating charts at the banquet, as we’re reminded to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind – and in doing so, we will be blessed. Link to Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vZxvTf4bTE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link to Start of Sermon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vZxvTf4bTE&t=2115sIf you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs

Welcome to our Audio Podcast "Curious Kids Faithful Answers". Where one of Our Faith Leaders is asked questions by our Youth seeking Faithful Answers.This week we ask Our Senior Associate Minister Rev. Meredith Onion (meredith@wscongo.org) a question that curious kids are wondering about. Question this episode are:How old is the Church?What is the funniest thing that ever happened in a Church Service?Are you a Curious Kid with Questions? Click the link below to submit your questions online with your parents' permission.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Curious Kids, Faithful Answers Podcast - First Congregational Church of Western Springs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you are new to our faith community and are interested in learning more, please go to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Welcome to First Congo Online - First Congregational Church of Western Springs