First Congregational Church of Western Springs

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr's sermon is a response to a question that he received from a young person via email: “Is our Christian faith unique from other religions?" The service will also include Communion, so please have your bread and juice when worship begins.

On the Sunday closest to Epiphany, Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr will offer a teaching sermon on the story and power of the journey of the Magi. We marvel at the persistence of God to shine the way for the Magi so that they might bear witness to the divine.   As we journey forward, we carry the dreams of our ancestors in faith. With courage and resilience, we dream on.

This week, we recognize what preceded Mary’s song of praise: news that was disorienting and bewildering, possibly threatening her life. Together, Mary and Elizabeth find courage and comfort in spite of their unusual circumstances. We, too, are called to carry, support, and encourage one another’s dreams.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr offers his Christmas Eve reflection. 

Rev. Meredith Onion offers a reflection on the 12 days of Christmas.

We hear the story of a fun Christmas party!

Enjoy the story of a woodcarver who visits a very special baby.

Enjoy the story about a young shepherd boy who experiences two Christmas blessings.

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey offers her sermon.  Ultimately, dreams sow joy, even if that joy doesn’t immediately spring forth. Sowing seeds into the soil always feels risky and feeble—how can something so small become something so beautiful, so big, and so nourishing? Like Mary, we are called to tend and nurture the dreams God has woven into us.

Ms. Hope tells a story about a pig.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr offers his sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent. 

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey offers her sermon on the First Sunday of Advent. 

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey offers her sermon. 

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr offers his annual Thanksgiving Alphabet reflection. 

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr offers his sermon. 

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr offers his sermon. 

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey offers a sermon. 

Rev. Meredith Onion reflects on discovering Harmony when we’re Centered in Christ, even if we’re diverse in thought.

In these partisan and tension filled days leading up to our election, Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr will consider what a citizen of our nation might pray for.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr offers a reflection on the gift of sharing a meal that will sustain us in a way that no other meal will.

Sydney Sabbagha tells a story about one of her favorite Christmas treats. 

September 27, 2020 Worship

Setting Sail - Rev. Dr. Richard Kirchherr September marks the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrim’s departure from England to what they hoped would be a new and improved England. Our spiritual forebears came, of course, seeking religious freedom from a hierarchical Church, but they also became a litmus test as to whether a body of people can govern themselves. The only path forward, they believed, was through a covenant; an agreement made before God between people.  In worship this week, Rich reflects on this 400th anniversary and how its legacy shapes us today. The Scripture from which the sermon grows is the New Testament Letter to the Hebrews 8: 7-11.

The Last Motel - Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr reflects on two journeys that end in gratitude and generosity. 

Rev. Meredith Onion offers her sermon. 

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey offers the final sermon in our Unraveled Sermon series. 

Bill Hoglund offers a simple daily prayer.

Amy Sheriff-Faison offers a simple daily prayer. 

Rev. Meredith Onion continues the sermon series on unraveled. 

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey offers a simple daily prayer,

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr offers a simply prayer for the day. 

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey offers a simple daily prayer. 

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr offers a simple prayer for the day. 

Our Unraveled Sermon Series continues with Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey's sermon. 

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey offers a simple daily prayer. 

Welcome to the First Congregational Church of Western Springs episode of the Unraveled podcast.  This episode features Sydney Sabbagha reflecting on her Freshman year at Hope College. Interested in sharing your unraveled story?  Contact beth@wscongo.org. 

Debbie Stankiewicz offers a simple daily prayer. 

Abby Orndorff offers a simple daily prayer. 

Amy Sheriff-Faison offers a simple daily prayer for the day. 

Amy Sherrif-Faison offers a simple prayer for the day. 

Lauren Branz offers a simple prayer for the day. 

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey offers her sermon - Unraveling Doubt. 

Jeannette Lloyd offers a simple prayer for the day. 

Hope Sabbagha offers a simple prayer for the day. 

Amy Sheriff-Faison offers a simple prayer for the day. 

Hope Sabbagha offers a simple prayer for the day. 

Welcome to the First Congregational Church of Western Springs' episode of the Unraveled podcast.  This episode features Mel and Will Tracy reflecting on Will's health journey.  Interested in sharing your unraveled story? Contact beth@wscongo.org.

Bill Hoglund offers a simple prayer for the day.

Jeannette Lloyd offers a simple prayer for the day, 

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr offers his sermon - Searching. 

Hope Sabbagha, Director of Children's Ministries, shares a daily prayer.

Amy Faison, Director of First Congregational Church of Western Springs Preschool, shares a daily prayer.

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey continues our Summer Sermon Series - Unraveled. 

Rev. Meredith Onion, associate pastor, shares a daily prayer.

Welcome to the First Congregational Church of Western Springs' episode of the Unraveled podcast.  This episode features Laura Tilden reflecting on her faith journey. Interested in sharing your unraveled story?  Contact beth@wscongo.org. 

Peter Lloyd, an officer in the Plymouth Fellowship High School Youth Group, shares a daily prayer.

Peter Lloyd, an officer in the PF High School Youth Group, shares a prayer.

Church member, Rev. Bill Hoglund, shares a daily prayer.

Rev. Leslie Ritter-Jenkins, member of our church, shares a daily prayer.

Rev. Meredith Onion, associate pastor, shares a daily prayer.

Welcome to the First Congregational Church of Western Springs' episode of the Unraveled podcast.  This episode features Cynthia Kos reflecting on her experience as a grandmother.  Interested in sharing your unraveled story?  Contact beth@wscongo.org. 

Abby Wenstrup, Member of our Diaconate, shares a daily prayer.

Rev. Meredith Onion continues our Summer Sermon Series - Unraveled. 

Hope Sabbagha, Director of Children's Ministry, shares a prayer.

Amy Faison, Director of the First Congregational Church of Western Springs Preschool, shares a daily prayer.

Beth Tracy, Office Manager, shares a daily prayer.

Hope Sabbagha, Director of Children's Ministries, shares a daily prayer.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr continues our Summer Sermon Series - Unraveled. 

Welcome to the First Congregational Church of Western Springs' fifth episode of the Unraveled podcast.  This episodes features Carol Johnson telling the story of the author who wrote the popular hymn, What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Rev. Leslie Ritter-Jenkins, member of First Congregational Church shares a daily prayer.

Abby Orndorff, Officer in our Plymouth Fellowship High School Youth Group shares a daily prayer.

Connor Madigan, Co-President of the Plymouth Fellowship Youth Group, shares a daily prayer.

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey, associate pastor, shares a daily prayer.

Hope Sabbagha, Director of Children's Ministries, shares a daily prayer.

Welcome to the First Congregational Church of Western Springs' fourth episode of the Unraveled podcast.  This episode features Hope Spangler Mayer reflecting on being a Special Education Teacher in todays environment.  Interested in sharing your unraveled story?  Contact Beth@wscongo.org.

We welcome Peter Kralovec-Kirchherr this morning to reflect on our Summer Sermon Series - Unraveled.

Nanette Farina, a member of our Diaconate, shares a daily prayer.

Kate Graber, officer in our Plymouth Fellowship High School Youth Group, shares a prayer.

Rev. Bill Hoglund, a member, shares a daily prayer.

Thurb Stowell shares a daily prayer.

Mike Tilden shares a daily prayer.

Welcome to the First Congregational Church of Western Springs' third episode of the Unraveled podcast.  This episode features Alex Onion reflecting  on the image of God on Good Friday.  Interested in sharing your unraveled story?  Contact Beth@wscongo.org.

Rev. Meredith Onion shares a daily prayer.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr answers questions from the Confirmation class. 

Rev. Meredith Onion preaches on Social Justice. 

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey preaches on fear.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr preaches on laughter.

Hope Sabbagha shares a daily prayer.

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey, associate pastor, shares a daily prayer.

Bill Hoglund shares a daily prayer.

Deb Stankiewicz shares a daily prayer.

Hope Sabbagha shares a daily prayer.

Welcome to the First Congregational Church of Western Springs' second episode of the Unraveled podcast.  This episode features Janice Johnson reflecting on her cab ride in Chicago and how God entwined in her experience.  Interested in sharing your unraveled story?  Contact beth@wscongo.org.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr shares a daily prayer.

Beth Tracy shares a daily prayer.

Rev. Meredith Onion shares a daily prayer.

Mike Tilden shares a daily prayer.

Hope Sabbagha shares a daily prayer.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr shares a daily prayer.

Welcome to the First Congregational Church of Western Springs'  first episode of the Unraveled podcast.  This episode features Samantha Tracy reflecting on her Junior year in High School and how God was entwined in her experience.   Interested in sharing your unraveled story?  Contact Beth@wscongo.org.

Rev. Bill Hoglund shares a daily prayer.

Rev. Meredith Onion shares a daily prayer.

Jeannette Lloyd, New Member & Engagement Coordinator, shares a prayer.

Deb Stankiewicz shares a daily prayer.

Hope Sabbagha shares a daily prayer.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr shares a daily prayer.

Rev. Meredith Onion shares a daily prayer.

Member, Al Pedersen shared a daily prayer.

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey shares a daily prayer.

Ann Stickman, a member of our Prayer Team, shares a prayer.

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey shares a prayer.

Rev. John Rodgers shares a prayer.

Rev. Leslie Ritter-Jenkins shares a prayer.

Rev. John Rodgers shares a prayer.

Sharon Cloghessy shares a prayer.

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey shares a prayer.

Rev. Bill Hoglund shares a prayer.

Beth Tracy shares a prayer.

Rev. Laura Hoglund shares a prayer.

Rev. John Rodgers shares a prayer.

Nancy O'Brien shares a prayer.

Rev. Leslie Ritter-Jenkins shares a prayer.

Rev. Bill Hoglund shares a prayer.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr shares a prayer.

Beth Tracy shares a prayer.

Hope Sabbagha shares a prayer.

Parish Nurse, Deb Stankiewicz shares a prayer.

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey shares a prayer.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr shares a prayer.

Rev. Meredith Onion shares a prayer for today.

How to Read the Bible with Healing & Hope - Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Meredith Onion

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Ben Smiley & Fiona Sullivan

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Meredith Onion

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Meredith Onion, Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr, and Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey all share readings about joy.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Meredith Onion

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Dr. Rev. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Meredith Onion

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Grant Glowiak

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Member, Mel Tracy shares a Father's Day reflection.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Kristen Graves

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Meredith Onion

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey addresses the children on Easter.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr on Easter Sunday

Dominic Enrietti & Harper Hill

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Meredith Onion

Rev. Meredith Onion

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Osheta Moore, guest speaker

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Grace Kulat reflects on her experience in the Plymouth Fellowship Youth Group.

Nora Kirby reflects on her experience in the Plymouth Fellowship Youth Group.

Erin Dickett reflects on her experience in the Plymouth Fellowship Youth Group.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Adult Christian Education Seminar with Chase Dost

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Meredith Onion

Rev. Dr. Rich Kircherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Meredith Onion

Hannah Orndorff

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Meredith Onion

Nancy Orr-Depner

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Meredith Onion

Dr. Rev. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Meredith Onion

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Meredith Onion

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr responds to a variety of questions posed by the congregation.

Peter Lloyd and Lauren Branz reflect on the Plymouth Fellowship Freshman Work Tour trip they took to Washington D.C. in June.

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

July 15, 2018 Worship Service

July 15. 2018 worship

2018 July 8, Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Meredith Onion

Trace Mortimer, church member.

Dr. Rev. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Meredith Onion

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Church member, Nancy Kurth, reflects on motherhood.

Rev. Meredith Onion

Dr. Rev. Rich Kirchherr

Dr. Rev. Rich Kirchherr addresses the Confirmands on Confirmation Sunday.

Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey

Sermon by Rev. Meredith Onion, For the Long Haul, 4/15/18

Sermon by Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey, After Easter, 4/8/18

Easter Sunday Sermon, Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr, At A Distance - 3/25/18

Sermon by Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey, Hometown Blues, 3/18/18

Sermon from Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr, Same Story; Different Day

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr, Wilderness

Sermon by Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey, Turn Aside and See

Sermon by Rev. Meredith Onion, February 11 2018, "Are We Listening"?

2018 February 4 Youth Sunday with Sydney Kaehler and Camryn MacLean.

2018 Feb 4 Camryn MacLean Reflection by Sermons

Moment for Mission, Back on My Feet - January 28, 2018

Sermon by Rev. Meredith Onion, Jan 28, 2018

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr, An Important Word on Jan. 21, 2018

Sermon by Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey on Jan 14, 2018 at First Congregational Church of Western Springs.

Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr and Peter Kralovec-Kirchherr at "Ask the Pastor and Seminary Student"

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr: December 24 Traditional Christmas Eve Service

Sermon from December 31: Ask the Pastor and Seminary Student by Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr and his son Peter Kralovec-Kirchherr.

Sermon: December 24 Traditional Christmas Eve Service by Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr.

Sermon from Rev. Meredith Onion

Sermon given by Rev. Meredith Onion: God Bearer.

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr, Gain a Little Wait

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr. 12/3/17: Joe

Sermon by Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey, Profound Gratitude.

Member Jim Kienzle shares a story of gratitude with the congregation.

Sermon by Rev. Meredith Onion, Upstanders. www.wscongo.org

Sermon from Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr, This Doesn't Seem Right

Sermon by Rev. Katherine Willis Pershey, Distant Triumph Song

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr, By Grace Alone, 10/29/17

A Teaching Moment, Reformation by Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr, 10/29/17

Sermon by Rev. Dr. Rich Kirchherr, Holy Math: Mission + Giving = Stewardship

Annika Murrell's message on Youth Sunday, March 2, 2014