We will meet at 3 pm at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1601 W Imhoff Road. Reverend Robin Meyers’ sermon will be “Easter in a Good Friday World” from Matthew 16:1-8. Special music will be provided by Kiegan Ryan cellist.

Childcare will be provided.

Coffee and Conversation

We will have our first Coffee and Conversation following the service on March 29th. There will be sign-ups on March 22 to help bring refreshments.

The Peace Donkey

Sunday at 3 pm, First Congregational will meet at St. Michael’s Episcopal, 1601 W. Imhoff Road, and Reverend Robin Meyers’ sermon will be “The Peace Donkey” from Matthew 21:1-11. At 2 pm, Dr. Meyers will lead a book study, featuring his book, “Saving God from Religion: A Ministers Search for Faith in a Skeptical Age.” Attend in person or watch on YouTube via the website, firstcongregationalchurch.org. Childcare will be provided. Bring your clean Styrofoam for recycling. Find more information and announcements on the church Facebook page or the website.

Following worship, “Coffee and Conversation” will take place in the foyer.

Saturday, the 28th, we will gather for the No Kings Rally at Legacy Park.

BOOK STUDY - Saving God From Religion

 Dr. Meyers will be teaching his own book (is that legal?) in the choir room beginning Sunday, February 22.  The book is SAVING GOD FROM RELIGION:  A Minister's Search for Faith in a Skeptical Age" (Convergent/Penguin/Random House, 2020).  If there are any questions for the author, no waiting.  All books will be signed if requested out of gratitude for being forced to buy them.
I have extra copies available to anyone who needs one.  See you soon for a lively conversation about an important but impossible subject:  God. 

BOOK STUDY - Saving God From Religion

 Dr. Meyers will be teaching his own book (is that legal?) in the choir room beginning Sunday, February 22.  The book is SAVING GOD FROM RELIGION:  A Minister's Search for Faith in a Skeptical Age" (Convergent/Penguin/Random House, 2020).  If there are any questions for the author, no waiting.  All books will be signed if requested out of gratitude for being forced to buy them.
I have extra copies available to anyone who needs one.  See you soon for a lively conversation about an important but impossible subject:  God. 

Faith Without Answers

Sunday at 3 p.m. First Congregational will meet at St. Michael’s Episcopal, 1601 W. Imhoff Road, and Rev. Robin Meyers’ sermon will be “Faith Without Answers” from Philippians 4:4-7. Kyle Gregory will serve as liturgist and special music will be provided by Kiegan Ryan, cellist and Mike Evans, pianist. At 2 p.m., Dr. Meyers will lead book study, featuring his book, “Saving God from Religion: A Minister’s Search for Faith in a Skeptical Age.” Attend in person or watch on YouTube via the website, firstcongregationalchurchofnorman.org. Child care will be provided. Contact us via the website or at P.O. Box 1002, Norman, OK 73072.

BOOK STUDY - Saving God From Religion

 Dr. Meyers will be teaching his own book (is that legal?) in the choir room beginning Sunday, February 22.  The book is SAVING GOD FROM RELIGION:  A Minister's Search for Faith in a Skeptical Age" (Convergent/Penguin/Random House, 2020).  If there are any questions for the author, no waiting.  All books will be signed if requested out of gratitude for being forced to buy them.
I have extra copies available to anyone who needs one.  See you soon for a lively conversation about an important but impossible subject:  God. 

Reverend Meyers sermon will be “Honest to God” from Acts 17:22-31. Special music will be provided by Kiegan Ryan, cellist, and Mike Evans, pianist.

Childcare will be provided.

BOOK STUDY - Saving God From Religion

 Dr. Meyers will be teaching his own book (is that legal?) in the choir room beginning Sunday, February 22.  The book is SAVING GOD FROM RELIGION:  A Minister's Search for Faith in a Skeptical Age" (Convergent/Penguin/Random House, 2020).  If there are any questions for the author, no waiting.  All books will be signed if requested out of gratitude for being forced to buy them.
I have extra copies available to anyone who needs one.  See you soon for a lively conversation about an important but impossible subject:  God. 

Reverend Robin Meyers’ sermon will be “Born Again?” from John 3:1-15. Music will be provided by Kiegan Ryan, cellist and Mary Sallee, pianist.

Communion will be served.

Childcare will be provided.

BOOK STUDY - Saving God From Religion

 Dr. Meyers will be teaching his own book (is that legal?) in the choir room beginning Sunday, February 22.  The book is SAVING GOD FROM RELIGION:  A Minister's Search for Faith in a Skeptical Age" (Convergent/Penguin/Random House, 2020).  If there are any questions for the author, no waiting.  All books will be signed if requested out of gratitude for being forced to buy them.
I have extra copies available to anyone who needs one.  See you soon for a lively conversation about an important but impossible subject:  God. 

Rapid Response Training

The Community Response Network (CRN) will be shaaring a crucial training dedicated to Immigrant Safety.

Learn how to:

• Respond quickly and legally to detention in our area

• Advocate for the legal rights of those being detained

For more information or to RSVP for free childcare:

• Call 405-722-7445

• Email: office@ncccokc.org

For the first Sunday of Lent, Reverend Robin Meyers’ sermon will be “Not a Dress Rehearsal” from Matthew 4:1-11. Music will be provided by Mary Sallee, pianist, Kiegan Ryan, cellist, and Mark Billy, vocal soloist.

Childcare will be provided.

BOOK STUDY BEGINS FEBRUARY 22!

 Dr. Meyers will be teaching his own book (is that legal?) in the choir room beginning Sunday, February 22.  The book is SAVING GOD FROM RELIGION:  A Minister's Search for Faith in a Skeptical Age" (Convergent/Penguin/Random House, 2020).  If there are any questions for the author, no waiting.  All books will be signed if requested out of gratitude for being forced to buy them.
I have extra copies available to anyone who needs one.  See you soon for a lively conversation about an important but impossible subject:  God. 

American Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast

You’re invited to a morning of prayer, unity and solidarity with Ukraine. a Ukrainian continental breakfast will be followed by stories of hope, heartbreak and resilience from life in Ukraine. Information on how you can help and a prayer service.

Guest speakers include:

Jason Zan, founder of Never Alone Humanitarian Kitchen

Lynda Cameron, director of Sooner Hope for Ukraine

Iryna Soloshonok, state leader of American Coalition for Ukraine.

Kiegan Ryan and Mark Billy Concert at OU

The Ruggles Native American Music Series at the University of Oklahoma is named in honor of the late Mary Jo Ruggles, partner of Marilyn Nicely, member of First Congregational Church.

This year’s series will include two musicians from First Congregational Church: - Mark Billy, baritone soloist and cedar flute, Kiegan Ryan, cello and composer, along with Conner Chee, pianist and composer

Rev Robin Meyers’ sermon will b “luminescence” from Matthew 17:1-9. Special music will be provided by Nicole Van Every, soloist, and Mary Sallee, pianist.

Childcare will be provided.

Faith Based Outreach Meeting

Mark your calendars and please RSVP! Our FBO group will be meeting in two weeks at 11:30am on Friday, February 20, at The Mission, 2525 East Lindsey. Thank you to Dr. Mike Butler for the invitation and for providing lunch. If you are planning to attend, please notify Heather Bedle or Judith Coker by Tuesday, February 17

In addition to hearing about The Mission's plans for expanding their campus and helping even more people, Dan Straughn, retired (sort of)  Executive Director of Oklahoma City's Homeless Alliance, and Lynne Miller will be with us to talk about the Home Together Norman campaign to pass the bond issue for a new permanent homeless shelter. The vote will be on April 7 and getting the "yes" vote out will be critical and we can all help.

Last, please take a minute to look at the list of people receiving this email and let me know of any corrections so we can keep it updated and accurate. Are there churches or organizations engaged in helping people in need who should be invited to our meetings? Have there been staff or ministry changes that we can update? Please let me know! We went to a BCC list a year or so ago, which I totally supported, but there is so much good information to share that I wonder if anyone objects to returning to a displayed list of names and emails, at least during the next few months. 

Thank you all for your devotion to serving all of God's children,

In the light of Christ,

Lisa Schmidt,filling in temporarily for the great Andrea Marler

Weststar Institute Opportunity to Listen to Elaine Pagels

We’re honored and excited to invite you to register for MIRACLES and WONDER with author Elaine Pagels as she discusses Miracles and Wonder.

Can’t make it live? Register anyway. The recording is included.

Join us for this talk followed by an extended Q&A!
 

REGISTER

NEW MEMBER INQUIRER'S CLASS THIS SUNDAY!

 Dr. Meyers will host a prospective new member's class right after the worship service this Sunday.  We will meet in the conference room in the hallway near the restrooms.  We will discuss Congregational polity and the meaning of membership at FCC—and more importantly, get acquainted with those who have recently begun attending this Beloved Community.  Dual members IS allowed (you can belong to FCC and remain a member of another community), and attendance does not obligate you to join.  If you are curious and have questions, please join us.  New members will be received in the service the following Sunday, February 15.

Salty and Luminous

Reverend Robin Meyers’ sermon will be “Salty and Luminous” from Matthey 5:1-13, 16. Special music will be provided by Mary Sallee, Pianist, and Nicole Van Every, Soprano Vocalist.

Reverend Meyers’ sermon will be “Upside Down Blessings” from Matthew 5:1-12. Special music will be provided by Mary Sallee, pianist, and Kiegan Ryan, cellist.

Childcare is provided.

Norman, OK Free America Walkout

On January 20th at 2pm we are all walking out of our jobs, our lives, our daily norm to protest facscism.
At 2pm we will be meeting at the James Garner statue on Main Street and James Garner Ave. to come together and share our strengths to change the direction this country is going.

One year into Trump’s second regime, we face an escalating fascist threat: raids on our communities, troops occupying our cities, attacks on immigrants, families torn apart, mass surveillance, and terror used to keep us silent.  It is time for our communities to escalate as well. 

2025 was a year of marches that showed our collective strength. And as the threats grow, our movement must evolve and escalate. Trump and his allies have already made clear that a second term would bring a deeper wave of misogyny, racism, xenophobia, and violence than the first.

On January 20, we call on our communities to organize teams, call your neighbors and classmates, and turn your back and walk out on fascism. Host mutual aid planning meetings, organize public service, but walk out to block the normal routines of power, and make the stakes real. This is a protest and a promise.  In the face of fascism, we will be ungovernable. 

★ We walk away from fascism. ★  

★ We walk towards a Free America. ★ 

★ We fight for a future that belongs to us all. ★

★ Everybody in, nobody out. ★ 

Reverend Robin Meyers’ sermon will be, “Tell Us Again Dr. King,” with text from the “I Have a Dream Speech”, by Dr Martin Luther King. Special music will be provided by Mary Sallee, pianist, and Kiegan Ryan, cellist.

Childcare will be provided.

Reverend Robin Meyers sermon will be “Baptism: A Rite or a Requirement?” from Matthew 3:13-17. Special music will be provided by Mary Sallee and Kiegan Ryan

The Reverend Robin Meyers’ sermon will be “The Odd Watcher” from Luke 13:1-15. Special music will be provided by Mary Sallee and Kiegan Ryan, and communion will be served.

On the following Sunday (January 11, 2025), our Sunday services will begin at 3:00 pm

Rev Robin Meyers sermon will be “Luke 2, a New Reading” from Luke 2:1. Special music will be provided by Kiegan Ryan, cellist, and Mary Sallee, pianist.