We mean it when we say, “Everyone is Welcome here!”

September 2 – 8, 2026

This Week @ First Church

Wednesday September 2

Mindful Meditation – 6 p.m.

Come every Wednesday evening and leave the troubles of the world outside as you spend an hour in meditation. Enter the church through the Delaware Street entrance.

Friday September 4 – 7:30 p.m

Narcotics Anonymous Meeting

Enter the church through the alley parking lot entrance.

Saturday September 5 – 1pm

LGBTQIA+ Pride Group

A place for Fellowship, Friendship, Mentorship, Support

Sunday September 6

Worship Service – 10 a.m.

Communion Sunday

Worship Service In-Person and on Facebook

SERMON “Reconciling With Love” by Tom Seeberger
Based on Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20

Note for Romans 13:8–14.

Paul writes the Roman church as they are experiencing infighting and division in the community. Paul is reminding them that loving their neighbors as themselves is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 13:8–14.

Love Fulfills the Law
8  Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.  9  The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” [a]  and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [b]   10  Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11  And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.  12  The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.  13  Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.  14  Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. [c]

Note for Matthew 18:15–20.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples (future church leaders) about community life, humility, and how to handle conflict and discipline; actions taken to ensure the shepherd keeps the flock of sheep together.

Matthew 18:15–20

15  “If your brother or sister [a]  sins, [b]  go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.  16  But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ [c]   17  If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

18  “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be [d]  bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be [e]  loosed in heaven.

19  “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  20  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”