About Us

A Continued Message from Rev. Lenore

I am now in my twenty-third year as pastor here at First Congregational. My ministry is rooted in scripture, church tradition (I grew up in the United Church of Christ), my education at Eden Theological Seminary, and especially in the multitude of experiences I have had throughout my life. Growing up in a male-dominated household (I have five brothers) and culture, marrying young and being widowed early, struggling to survive as a single parent, and being called into the ordained ministry at 43, significantly impacted who I am as a pastor. Like you, I know how cruel and lonely life can be at times and what it means to question one's faith. That's why I've dedicated my life to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. It's just like my favorite song says, "I want the world to know, the Lord of love has come to me, I've got to pass it on!"

While that might sound terribly serious, I assure you there are many light-hearted moments in my down-to-earth preaching as I try to relate the meaning of scripture to our everyday lives. Ours is a casual, relaxed atmosphere where you are free to dress as you please and are always welcome to join us for a time of refresments and conversation after the worship service.

The rest of the pages on this site will tell you about our mission outreach and social activities. After you are done reading all about us here on the website, I hope you will take the next step in getting to know us and renewing your relationship with Jesus Christ - come worship with us!

In 1999 we began reaching out to Sandusky's summer community by hosting an 8:00 a.m. Sunday worship service at Shoreline Park pavilion from Memorial Day weekend - Labor Day weekend.

Rev. Kure leads the servie, but invites members of the community to share the message, always titled "How the Awesome Love of God has Impacted My Life." The speaker chooses a non-profit organization they would like to benefit from the offering. Over the years we have had over 260 speakers and collected in excess of $36,000 for the charities they have chosen.

We are currently in the process of establishing our Center for Peace Through Understanding as an independent non-profit organization dedicated to being a resource in the area for fostering peace within individulas, our community, the world and all of nature.

On any fifth Tuesday of the month the Center for Peace Through Understanding hosts a Peace Gathering for those with a passion for peace. A social time begins at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting starting at 7:00. Following a few minutes of business, there is a presentation relating to peace.

The congregation here at First Congregational supports a wide range of causes with mission donations.

Four times a year, our mission donations are shared among our regular missions, currently supporting Abililty Works, Community Youth Mentoring (formerly Big Brothers Big Sisters), Care & Share of Erie County, Erie County Senior Center, the LGBT Community Center of Cleveland, Crossroad, the Crossroads Shelter (Volunteers of America), the CUE Seminaries of the United Church of Christ, and the United Church Homes (Parkvue).

We also hold five special collections each year to support the national ministries of the United Church of Christ: Our Church's Wider Mission, One Great Hour of Sharing, Strengthen the Church, Neighbors in Need, and the Christmas Fund.

One-time donations are also given to deserving causes, such as Doctors Without Borders.

Monies collected at our summer Shoreline services are donated to non-profits chosen by our weekly speakers. Last year these included ACORNs Ministry, Adult & Teen Challenge of the Firelands, American Heart Association, Burn Pits 360, Celebrate Recovery-Norwalk Chapter, Firelands Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society of Erie County, Flat Rock Homes, Los Ninos de Corsos, Moments Matter Foundation, Ministries of Apostle Quenten King, Northwest Ohio UCC El Salvador Team, Parkvue Activity Fund, Positive Outreach, Sandusky Artisans, United We Dream.

Every fifth Saturday we host a free community breakfast in the lower level of the church from 9-11 a.m.. All are welcome to come and enjoy scrambled eggs, sausage and pancakes, as well as the joy of sharing a meal with neighbors and friends.

Welcome to the United Church of Christ, a community of faith that seeks to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed. The UCC was founded in 1957 as the union of several different Christian traditions: from the beginning of our history, we were a church that affirmed the ideal that Christians did not always have to agree to live together in communion. Our motto, “that they may all be one,” is Jesus’ prayer for the unity of the church. The UCC is one of the most diverse Christian churches in the United States.

When: The first Sunday of each month

Where: First Congregational UCC

The first Sunday of not only the month, but the year is HERE! We are all looking to help and what better way to help others in need than to give to Care & Share!?! We Collect all year long, but on the first Sunday of each month we focus on the chance to bring in 12ct styrofoam egg cartons, Plastic shopping bags from the local grocery store/big box retailers, heigene products, dry and canned food goods, and gently used clothes/shoes that could go to someone deeply in need this time of year.

Care and Share

Movie NIght

Supper Club

Always looking for:

Covid19

Loose Change Sunday