We are an Open and Affirming Congregation
Where no matter who we are or where we are on life's journey...we are welcome here.

Worship Services

We live stream our Sunday Worship.

SUNDAYS
Worship                                          10:00 AM

135 E Larch St, Rhinelander, WI 54501

FELLOWSHIP TIME
Enjoy coffee and conversation following worship.

At a time when religion is too often portrayed as narrow-minded and exclusive, we are raising our voices for alternative vision. One where God is all-loving and inclusive. Where the Church of Jesus Christ welcomes and accepts everyone as they are. Where your mind is nourished as much as your soul. Where Jesus the healer meets Jesus the revolutionary. Where together we grow a just and peaceful world.

Every visitor is also invited to share in the Sacrament of Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month. We live stream our Sunday Worship to our Facebook page. You are welcome to join us on Facebook on Sunday or view it anytime during the week.  Join us by clicking on the Facebook page above.

See you here!

Mark Your Calendar

Plan to join us on March 23 for worship led by Revs. Tim and Susie Grade. Our Search Committee has invited the Revs. Grade to assume a shared pastorate at First Congregational.  Following this worship service, the congregation will vote on extending a pastoral call to Rev. Tim and Rev. Susie.

Next 7 Days of Events

Light, I Am

 

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. … No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine.” Matthew 5:14-16a (NRSV)

“You are the light” is the core message of Jesus. Everything else he taught was about how best to shine holy light into the world.

That’s not necessarily the message of Christianity. The core message of Christianity, according to many, is that Christ died on the cross to save us from our sins and from eternal damnation.

However, Jesus never heard of Christianity. He did not preach that without believing in him people were destined for hell. Not even John 3:16 or 14:6 says that. He did not say, “You could be the light” or “You might be the light” or “You will become the light if you believe the right things and say the right prayer.” No.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” right now, as you are, full stop. Light is your nature, your identity, your being. No one can change that. There is nothing you need to do to become what you already are.

That doesn’t mean you don’t have work to do. As for me, I routinely block the light with bushels of fear, buckets of resentment, and lampshades of ego. Jesus shows me the way to turn those bushels into lampstands and to let my light shine, like him.

Let’s stop reading Jesus through the lens of Christian theology and start reading theology through the lens of Jesus.

Regardless, be what you are. Be the light.

Prayer
I am the Light. I will shine.

Matt LaneyAbout the Author
Matt Laney is co-Pastor of Virginia Highland Church UCC in Atlanta, GA and the author of Pride Wars, a fantasy series published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers. The first two books, The Spinner Prince and The Four Guardians are available now.

ABout UCC

A church of firsts and of extravagant welcome. A church where "they may all be one" (John 17:21).

The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a distinct and diverse community of Christians who come together as one church to join faith and action. With over 5,000 churches and nearly one million members across the U.S., the UCC serves God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world.

Since 1957, the United Church of Christ has been the church of firsts, weaving God’s message of hope and extravagant welcome with action for justice and peace. Together, we live out our faith in ways that effect change in our communities. Our church works to help make a difference in local, national and global communities.

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