Join us at 10:30 in the sanctuary or click here to join us by Zoom this Sunday as we launch our summer theme, “Unsung Heroes.” Our service will begin with a prelude by Katie Koza. Lucille Dickinson will lead us in a prayer of confession and words of assurance. Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss and Rev. Karen Byrne will lead the congregation in a Blessing of Release for Katie Koza as she prepares to relocate to Chicago.  Nan McConnell will serve as scripture reader with focus texts from Exodus 1:8-20 and Matthew 11:28-30. Rev. Amanda will preach the sermon, followed by Nora Marsh’s special music offering “Peace in our Hearts.” Rev. Amanda and Rev. Sam will invite us to the communion feast. For those joining us from home, please prepare your table with the elements of bread and cup, which we will bless and break together. Join us!

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Join us at 10:30 in the sanctuary or join us by Zoom as we gather to worship God of love this Sunday. Rev. Sam will lead us in celebrating joyful milestones–from children and youth graduating elementary, middle, and high school to those marking meaningful anniversaries of church membership or milestone birthdays. Simon Hendler-Voss and Michael Enseki-Frank will serve as our scripture readers with focus texts from Matthew 22:37-40 (the greatest commandments) and 1 John 4:7-12 (God is love). Rev. Karen Byrne will facilitate a sermon dialogue with Rev. Amanda and Jim Riker about the love ethic at the heart of the gospel as we discuss last week’s nonviolent witness in the face of hate. Throughout the service we will sing from the African American Heritage Hymnal. We will also share in the prayers of the people. Join us!

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Join us at 10:30 in the sanctuary or join us by Zoom as we gather for worship this Memorial Day Sunday. Jaimie Orr will call us to worship with a personal reflection. Rev. Sam will lead us in a prayer of confession and words of assurance. The First Church Choir will sing the anthem “Break Forth Into Singing.” Casey Capsambelis and Robert Mann-Thompson will serve as our scripture readers with focus texts from John 17:1-11 (that they may be one) and Acts 1:6-14 (the ascension). Rev. Amanda will preach. We will also share in the prayers of the people. Join us!

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Join us in the sanctuary or click here to join us by Zoom at 10:30 this Sunday as we mark Pentecost (the birth of the early church) by celebrating the confirmation journey undertaken by our youth. Riley Kiss will be baptized. Our children will sing “El Condor Pasa” and tell the story of the early church through a Reader’s Theater. Members of the confirmation class will share their faith statements, and some of them will be confirmed as we welcome them into the full life of the church as members in the presence of their mentors. Praise God! Michael Hopkins, one of our confirmation mentors, will accompany the service on percussion. Join us to celebrate our youth and mark this milestone in their faith journeys. Get out your red to show your Pentecost spirit and join us!

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Please join us in-person or on Zoom on Sunday, May 17 at noon for the Spring Congregational Meeting. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the work of the Church Council, Commissions, and Committees in support of our efforts to be a Beloved Community. The meeting will include reports from the Senior Minister and Associate Minister, as well as the Moderator and Treasurer. We will also hear about significant projects currently being carried out by various Commissions and Committees. Please bring your enthusiasm and your questions. We’ll look forward to seeing you on May 17.

Materials for the Annual Meeting:

• Agenda
• Budget
• January 2026 Congregational Meeting Minutes

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Join us at 10:30 in the sanctuary or click here to join us by Zoom this Sunday as we welcome the Rev. Dr. Vertie Powers as our guest preacher. Rev. Karen Byrne will lead us in a prayer of confession and words of assurance. Mary Pence and her granddaughter Natalie Bucks will read from the 31st Psalm (seeking refuge in God) and Rev. Jason Carson Wilson will read from John 14:1-13 (I go to prepare a place for you). Rev. Amanda and Rev. Sam will invite us to the communion feast. For those joining us from home, please prepare your table with the elements of bread and cup, which we will bless and break together. Join us!

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Join us at 10:30 in the sanctuary or click here to join us by Zoom this Sunday as we welcome B.Leah (Minister Leah Burgess) into our pulpit. Katie Koza will call us to worship by sharing a poem from a recent edition of Street Sense Media, a street paper that elevates the voices of unhoused people in DC. Rev. Sam will lead a time with our children. The First Church Choir will sing John Shepherd’s award-winning anthem “A Living Faith” under the direction of Dennis Turner. Poet-preacher B.Leah of Howard University will offer a sermon rooted in the 23rd Psalm through spoken word poetry in collaboration with Dennis Turner on piano. All of our congregational singing will be rooted in the African American Heritage Hymnal. We will also share in prayers of the people. Join us for a worship experience brimming with creativity!

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Join us at 10:30 in thee sanctuary or click here to join us by Zoom as we celebrate Earth Sunday. Peter Tracey (Moderator) will lead us in our Land Acknowledgement. Abby Goodman-Johnson will read Mary Oliver’s “The Summer Day.” Rev. Sam will lead a time with our children. Moira Jones will sing, “Eternal Life” by Olive Dungan, adapted from the prayer of Saint Francis. Trevor Bakker will lead a responsive reading of Psalm 104, and Robin Olson will serve as our scripture reader with a focus text from Luke 24:13-35 (road to Emmaus). Rev. Amanda will preach. We will also share in the prayers of the people. Join us!

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