About First-Plymouth Church

"Come unto me
all ye that labor
and are heavy laden
and I will give you rest"

Matthew 11:28

Your Kind of Church -
At First-Plymouth Congregational Church, our members come from a variety of religious traditions.  We believe this diversity, as well as our common affirmations; strengthen us as a community of faith.  Though we encourage a broad spectrum of theological perspectives, we work, worship, and grow together as one congregation.

We are affiliated with the United Church of Christ, a denomination that finds its identity from the Gospel of John:  "That they may all be one."

We Care About Your Spiritual Growth -
Worship with us Sunday mornings at 9:00 am or 10:30 a.m., or Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Taize’ Candlelight Service is held on the 1^st Sunday of the month at 7:00 p.m. The Healing Service is held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 12:15-12:45 p.m. in Calvert Parlor.  There is also an optional individual prayer following.

Reach Out and Live, a telecast of our worship service, is provided as a gift to the community, Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Fox channel 42, KPTM for viewers in Lincoln, Omaha and Council Bluffs. Fox channel 17, KTVG in Grand Island and Kearney; Fox channel 4, KSNB in Superior and on Lincoln Cable Fox 4 in Lincoln airs at 8:00 a.m. KNOP-TV channel 2 in North Platte is broadcast at 9:30 am.  Radio broadcast of our 9:00 am Service on KFOR 1240 AM at 9:00 am.

Bible Study groups meet on designated weekdays and on Sunday mornings.

Study groups and seminars allow adults to explore prayer, family life, Christian living, spirituality and current topics.

We Care About Children -
Child care is available for infants and young children during each worship service and during other scheduled activities. First-Plymouth Early Education Programs include:

The Parents Day Out Infant Toddler Program
The Preschool program and the extended care program, Discovery Days
After-school sessions for kindergartners
Summer programs for all ages.
Transportation assistance for children from low-income families is available

We care about the Family -
Church School classes for children of all ages are held on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 am and from 10:00 to 11:30 am.

Athletic teams are organized for people of all ages.

Youth Groups for junior and senior high young people and Confirmation Class meet weekly during the school year and for special events in the summer.

Parent education programs and a variety of intergenerational activities are offered throughout the year.

We care about Music -
First-Plymouth has long been known for its outstanding music program encompassing vocal choirs, handbell choirs and a resident brass ensemble.  Our church also is home to the Lied Organ, one of the largest pipe organs in the midlands. Our award-winning Abendmusik: Lincoln concert series has brought countless world-renowned composers, conductors, ensembles and soloists to Lincoln.

We Care About Our Community and the World -
We believe that each member is a minister in his or her own life and work.  Our church members are involved in a wide variety of social service agency boards and councils, service clubs, and neighborhood groups.

Community and support groups of all kinds use our church building.

We support local service agencies, statewide Christian ministries, national missions, and world missions.

Join Us as We Work to Make Connections -
Between the self and God.

Between the individuals who want to be part of a loving community and who want to be more aware of their connectedness with all of creation.  Between the known past and the unknowable future.

We Care About You -
If you are looking for a church that:

· Finds its direction and leadership within; Grows outwardly by drawing ever-widening circles of inclusion;
· Grows inwardly each time someone it touches grows in strength, compassion, or understanding;
· Seeks to discover God's will and to do God's work in the world as a pilgrim people;
· Searches answers and also supports in asking questions . . .

You are invited to participate in any of our church programs whether or not you are a member.

We also invite you to consider becoming a member of First-Plymouth Church.

A Long Tradition of Service to the Community -
Organized in 1866, First-Plymouth Church is the oldest continuing congregation of any kind in Lincoln.  The present church building was constructed in 1930-1931.  From the beginning, First-Plymouth Church has found its identity and mission in the life of the city.  In this community, we continue to explore and discover what it means to love and care for our neighbors and to be the people of God.

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The Church has been, is, and continues to be a community of persons who acknowledge God as Creator and Sustainer, Jesus Christ as God’s redeeming activity, and human beings as participating with God in the responsibility for the well-being of the created order. The Church exists in history to increase among people the love of God and neighbor and to increase health and harmony in all the creation.

First-Plymouth Congregational Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ, in Lincoln, Nebraska, intends with the power of the Holy Spirit to continue to carry out the purpose of the Church by being in its life:

A community of persons which

• ... accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, is committed to following His example and teachings.

• ... gathering regularly, participates in and experiences the presence of God in public worship through preaching, prayer, Bible study, the Sacraments, music, and other arts.

• ... seeking to nurture persons of all ages, provides opportunities for personal spiritual growth and learning the story of the Christian faith.

• ... loving and caring for one another, supports one another in carrying out each individual’s ministry at home, at work, and in leisure.

• ... seeking to serve, is continually reaching out to minister to individuals who are lonely, oppressed, afraid, sick, poor, hungry.

• ... recognizing our interdependence with all humanity, works for justice and harmony throughout the world.

• ... recognizing our interrelationships with all creation, works responsibly for the care of the environment and natural resources.

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History of First-Plymouth Congregational Church

First-Plymouth Congregational Church is a merger of two congregations. On the morning of Sunday, August 19, 1866, First Congregational Church was organized in what was then known as Lancaster, Nebraska. It was and is the first church congregation to be organized in the town. One year later, the name of the town was changed to Lincoln.

In 1869, the congregation completed its first building, a 25 by 40 foot structure at 13th and L Streets, where the Cornhusker Hotel is now located. The congregation grew and prospered along with the city.

In 1887, First Congregational Church was instrumental in organizing Plymouth Congregational Church. Its location was 17th and A Streets. It grew quickly. The two congregations merged in 1923 and chose the name First-Plymouth Congregational Church. It used the Plymouth building. In the meantime, First Congregational Church in 1890 sent out another colony of 45 members to form Vine Congregational Church.

Soon after the merger in 1923, First-Plymouth Congregational Church, having a membership of 1,073, divided almost equally between the two previous congregations, decided to build a new building at the site of 20th and D Streets. The plans were completed in 1929, and construction began in 1930. The new building was dedicated on April 5, 1931.

In 1962, the congregation began planning for a major addition to the building and in 1965 the congregation voted to proceed. The chapel and east wing of the building were added, along with the renovation of the main worship area and a new pipe organ.

In 1988 the two kitchens in the church were renovated, the east courtyard wall was replaced with a memorial garden and columbarium, the carillon was restored and expanded and a fully equipped television studio was built. The congregation then began its extensive television ministry.
Various perspectives of the First-Plymouth columbarium and memorial garden.

In 1991, the congregation began planning for another major building expansion. A three level wing of 16,000 square feet was built and connected to the northwest end of the parish hall. With a new, wide, beautiful entrance on 20th street, an elevator, and specially designed restrooms, the church building became more accessible. The new addition provided additional classrooms, more offices, and much needed space for our extensive music ministry. Additional parking, lighting all around the building, and landscaping were included in the project. The new addition was dedicated on January 16, 1994.

In 1996, the congregation proceeded with its long range plan for a new Schoenstein Pipe Organ. It is really two organs, one in the balcony and one in the chancel. The chancel was also redesigned to provide more space for the choir and musical ensembles.

An additional parking lot was added in 1997 at the corner of 21st and E Streets. First-Plymouth Congregational Church UCC continues to grow and expand its multiple ministries.

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